Beijing, September 22, 2025 – The Europe Today: Today, Mr. Khalid Taimur Akram, Executive Director of the Pakistan Center for a Community with Shared Future, participated as a speaker in the International Conference on “Protecting and Promoting the Diversity of Cultural Expressions: Practices and Future” held at the Communication University of China in Beijing. The conference commenced with a warm welcome from Yang Yi, Vice President of the Communication University of China.
Organized under the theme of safeguarding cultural heritage while fostering diversity in modern societies, the conference brought together eminent scholars, policymakers, researchers, and cultural practitioners from across the globe. It served as a vibrant platform to exchange ideas, share best practices, and highlight innovative approaches for strengthening intercultural dialogue in the 21st century.
The keynote addresses were delivered by Hu Sishe, Standing Committee Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Former Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries; Qiu Xiaoqi, Vice President of the China Public Diplomacy Association; and Hubert Benitez, President of St. Peter’s University, USA.
In his speech, Mr. Khalid Taimur Akram highlighted the importance of cultural diversity as a foundation for peaceful coexistence and mutual respect among nations. He emphasized that preserving cultural expressions is essential for building inclusive societies and fostering sustainable development. Drawing upon Pakistan’s historical experiences and rich cultural heritage, he underscored how nations can learn from one another to create resilient frameworks that promote cultural understanding while embracing modernization.
Mr. Akram also shed light on the role of regional and international cooperation in protecting intangible cultural heritage. He stressed that platforms such as this conference not only encourage dialogue but also strengthen collaborative mechanisms to counter threats posed by globalization, technological homogenization, and cultural erosion.
Other distinguished speakers included:
- Professor Li Huailiang, Dean of the Institute for a Community with Shared Future (ICSF), Communication University of China (CUC), Beijing, China.
- Chin Yee Mun, Director of the Tun Tan Cheng Lock Institute of Social Studies at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia.
- Ahmed Mohamed Elsaid Soliman, President of Bayt Alhekma Cultural Industry Group and Director of the Arabic Research Center for a Global Community with Shared Future.
- Jean-Christophe Bas, Professor at IRIS (Institute for International and Strategic Relations) and Director of the Academic European Network Community with Shared Future.
- Winston Mano, Professor at the University of Westminster, UK, and Director of the British Center for a Community with Shared Future.
- Anibal Carlos Zottele, Director of the China-Veracruz, Research Center at the University of Veracruz, Mexico.
The Communication University of China extended a warm welcome to all participants, setting the tone for meaningful deliberations throughout the event. Discussions revolved around diverse themes, including cultural policy-making, digital transformations in cultural preservation, capacity building, and the role of youth in safeguarding traditions.
The participation of Mr. Khalid Taimur Akram reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to promoting cultural diversity and strengthening international cooperation under the vision of a community with a shared future. His contribution was widely acknowledged as a valuable perspective in advancing global conversations on cultural sustainability.
