On September 21, 2023, the 10th "Peace Garden Peace Festival" and "5th Global Youth Photography Competition Ceremony" with international influence were grandly held at the Peace Garden Museum in Beijing. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the "Silk Road" initiative, as well as the tenth anniversary of the "Peace Garden Peace Festival" held by UNESCO and its official partner, the Beijing International Peace Culture Foundation,and the China World Peace Foundation , to celebrate the United Nations "International Day of Peace".
The purpose of this event is to promote public awareness of international peace,exchange and cooperation, promote people-to-people communication, livelihood cooperation, and civilized development. More than a hundred political figures, ambassadors, diplomatic envoys, representatives of international organizations, world champions, and international youth representatives from various countries gathered in Peace Garden to express peace proposals and deconstruction plans on how to strengthen cooperation, eliminate opposition, solidarity and exchanges, and achieve common development in the current international environment under the theme of "peace and dialogue based on shared values".
After jointly releasing the dove of peace symbolizing peace, Dr. Li Ruohong, Chairman of the China World Peace Foundation and President of the Beijing International Peace Culture Foundation, announced the opening of the event and stated that peace is a common aspiration of people all over the world, and peace needs to be built on mutual understanding, exchange, and dialogue. We hope to mobilize and influence more people together, to unite and cooperate, and to share values, Let’s work together for the lofty goal of peace.
H.E.Mr.Shahbaz Khan from the UNESCO Representative Office in China delivered a congratulatory message from UNESCO Director General H.E.Ms. Audrey Azoulay on International Peace Day. The message stated that simply discussing peace is not enough, we must believe in peace, and peace alone is not enough. We must strive for peace. Peace requires our daily efforts, and it is always an unfinished cause. UNESCO calls on all members of the international society to take active action to maintain and promote peace. Because in our common world, peace should always be the direction of our efforts.
In her video speech, UNESCO Assistant Director General H.E.Ms.Ramos expressed gratitude to the Beijing International Peace Culture Foundation and Dr. Li Ruohong for their strong support of the Silk Road Initiative. It is pointed out that a new milestone has been reached between UNESCO and the Beijing International Peace Culture Foundation , which is the Global Youth Photography Competition. Today, the fifth edition of the winners of their outstanding works will be announced. This project mobilized young people from over 100 countries to capture their understanding of the Silk Road, find ways to share these cultural heritage, and work together to build a peaceful future.
Ms. Wang Xiaojie, Vice President of the China Federation of Radio and Television Social Organizations, stated in her speech that the "Peace Garden Peace Festival", as an important practice of the United Nations sustainable development agenda among the Chinese people, has played a positive role in promoting multicultural exchange and mutual learning, and enhancing understanding and trust among people of all countries. We should always adhere to the concept of "peace, solidarity, trust, cooperation and development", actively promote the "peace+1" and "the Silk Road Cultural Interaction Atlas" projects, unite people from different cultures, ethnic groups and social backgrounds, and work together for a better future of the world.
Dai Jianjun, Vice President of the Beijing People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Beijing NGO Network for International Exchange, stated in an on-site speech that over the past decade, the Peace Garden Peace Festival has played a positive and important role in promoting exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations and enhancing mutual understanding among peoples of various countries, as a vivid practice of the United Nations sustainable development agenda among the Chinese people. We advocate for communication, dialogue, and harmonious coexistence among different civilizations. By creating more grounded and people-centered projects, we can leverage the role of civil society organizations and build bridges for people from all countries to get to know each other. We look forward to sharing development achievements through multilateral solidarity, trust, and cooperation, and working together to contribute to a better future for the world.
H.E.Ms Olga Dzhumae va, Director of the East Asian Representative Office of the IFRC, and Ms. Angela Luo, Director General of the World Women's Organization, , H.E. Mr. Parakhat Durdyev of the Embassy of Turkmenistan in China, H.E.Mr. Alberto Blanco Silva of the Embassy of Cuba in China, H.E. Mr. Awale Ali Kullane of the Embassy of Somalia in China, and H.E.Mr. Ian Marshall of the Embassy of Grenada in China delivered speeches respectively, affirming the importance of the Peace Garden Peace Festival and expressing that they will continue to promote Solidarity and humanitarianism, Making positive contributions to promoting international cooperation.
At the tenth "Peace Garden Peace Festival ", the outstanding works of the fifth "Global Youth Photography Competition" with the theme of "architecture, monuments and urbanization" were also unveiled. The photography competition has been designated by UNESCO as a visual research and education project of the common cultural heritage of the "Silk Road".
Focusing on the ten major sections of the "Silk Road Cultural Interaction Atlas" project, this year's Peace Festival also presented a wealth of exhibition content, including the "Youth Eyes on the Silk Road " photo exhibition, "Qian Lingge - Peace Blossoms" work exhibition, and the "Chinese Flavors Assembled with Excellence ! The Silk Road International Cuisine Corridor" food exchange activities. Yun Cheng, Vice President of the Chinese Cuisine Association and President of the Beijing Cuisine Association, stated that by 2025, Beijing will have initially built itself into a culinary capital that showcases global flavors. The association will help to accelerate the construction of an international Cuisine capital, assist in the construction of an international consumption center city of Beijing, promoting consumption, benefiting people's livelihoods, stabilizing employment, enhancing the level of local catering brands, and strengthening international exchange of catering culture. It will promote the integration and development of business, tourism, culture, and culture through various forms, enhancing the intelligent application of catering technology and promoting green and low-carbon development.
More than ten catering companies, including Beijing Quanjude and Donglaishun, have joined forces with chef representatives from Egypt, Brazil, Mexico, and other regions to showcase and appreciate the diversity of food culture and strengthen international exchanges and cooperation. The envoys from more than 20 countries and regions signed letters of intent for international cuisine cooperation and exchange.
In the atmosphere of peaceful dialogue, the Peace Festival also highlights the theme of peace and public welfare. Famous international football coach Mr.Bora Milutinovic, world chess champion Ms.Zhu Chen, and others jointly signed the public welfare cooperation agreement for"International Federation of Chess, Card, Sports, Culture, and Scientific Development" . Tianjin Flying Pigeons Vehicle Industry Group has donated wheelchairs and bicycles to the foreign embassies in China and Chaoyang District Disabled Persons Association. Anhui Qimen Black Tea Group, representing the Thousands Path Tea Ceremony, also donated black teas to promote intangible tea culture.
The organizers commended international volunteers who have supported the cause of international peace for the past decade. The event came to a successful conclusion with over 80 international teenagers singing for peace.
“一带一路”文化互动版图:音乐与艺术 | 科学技术与技能 | 医术与医药 | 服装与服饰 | 美食与农业 | 神话与幻想 | 传统竞技与体育 | 语言与文学 | 仪式与庆典 | 宗教与精神