Over 2,500 years after the birth of Confucius in Nishan, the ancient wisdom of the land is still inspiring new conversations about the challenges facing humanity today.

The 12th Nishan Forum on World Civilizations opened on Monday under the theme "Civilization, Order and Justice," bringing together officials, scholars and cultural representatives from around the world to discuss the future of human civilization.

The forum focuses on the contemporary relevance of Confucianism, global governance, dialogue among civilizations and the role of AI in shaping humanity's future.

František Škvrnda, an assistant professor at the Bratislava University of Economics and Business in Slovakia, said Confucianism is a rich and diverse intellectual tradition that covers almost every major field of humanities and social sciences. He highlighted the value of comparing the philosophies of Confucius and Socrates, stressing that exchanges between civilizations are key to human progress.

"Exploring the links between ancient Chinese and Greek wisdom can deepen mutual understanding and cooperation between Eastern and Western civilizations," he said, adding that it lays the foundation for broader cooperation in social, economic and political affairs.

Confucian wisdom for today's world

Against the backdrop of growing differences and conflicts between civilizations, Škvrnda said Confucianism offers universal values that remain relevant to today's world. He was particularly fascinated by its ability to address fundamental and enduring questions of humanity and offer ideas for tackling contemporary challenges.

He said Confucianism emphasizes values such as benevolence, compassion and helping those in need. It also calls for improving people's living conditions and building a well-governed society that protects livelihoods and enables people to live with dignity.

Škvrnda said Confucianism offers insights into challenges such as inequality, conflicts between countries and environmental crises, while its values of social harmony, justice, peace and respect for life and nature could contribute to a new philosophy of coexistence and the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

Meanwhile, Confucian ideas also bring a distinct perspective to international relations.

Eduardo Daniel Oviedo, a professor at the School of Political Science and International Relations at the National University of Rosario in Argentina, said the forum's theme of "Civilization, Order and Justice" is closely linked to the impact of civilizations on the international system and global order. "Civilizations influence political order, while political order is shaped by law and, indirectly, by ideas of justice," he said.

Oviedo noted that Confucianism offers important insights into international relations, particularly its concept of "harmony" as a way to manage conflicts of interest between countries. He said harmony is closely linked to balance, including the balance of power, which can help promote peace among states.

Human values and AI governance

As AI develops rapidly, how to strike a balance between technological progress and human values has become an important issue. Traditional cultures and dialogue among civilizations may offer new perspectives on how technology can serve humanity.

Oviedo said the Confucian ideal of "Great Unity" could provide an ethical framework for AI based on the common good, responsibility, inclusiveness and coordination. The idea can make an important contribution to discussions on technology ethics, while a global framework for AI governance should also take into account the interests and aspirations of different countries, he said.

Škvrnda also agreed that drawing on the wisdom of classical civilizations can help guide the development of AI. He said Confucian ethical principles, together with sound economic planning and responsible social policies, could help turn AI into a transformative tool for advancing human civilization.