On the morning of October 18th, the "Workshop on Mutual Learning among Eurasian Civilizations and International Symposium on Eurasian Civilizations" opened in Institute of European Civilization ofTianjin Normal University.
The event is co-hosted by Institute of European Civilization of Tianjin Normal University, Facultyof History of Nankai University, and the Editorial Board of Economic and Social History Review. It features a four-day academic exchange and young scholars' training program. A mentor group consisting of outstanding historians from renowned universities in the UK, France, Japan and other countries as well as top domestic universities attended to provide guidance. Twenty young scholars selected nationwide participated as trainees.
The conference was hosted by Hou Jianxin,founder of the workshop and senior professor of IEC. Xu Zhong, Deputy Director-General ofCommunication Department of Tianjin Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, Chen Daiwei, deputy Party secretary of TNU, Professor Yu Xinzhong, Dean of Faculty of History of Nankai University, and Li Zhenhong, professor of Henan University and former editor-in-chief of Journal of Historical Science delivered speeches at the opening ceremony.
Xu Zhong emphasized that organizing the "Workshop on Mutual Learning among Eurasian Civilizations and International Symposium on Eurasian Civilizations" is a positive response to the Global Civilization Initiative. It is an academic activity responding to the country's major needs, an academic practice serving governance and society, and a vivid manifestation of the social function of history. The workshop, symposium and major projects of TNU form a combined effort for building a culturally strong country and a culturally strong city. They promote each other, boost European civilization research to better serve national strategies and social development, and give full play to the think tank role of humanities disciplines in universities.
Chen Daiwei pointed out that the theme of the workshop lies not only in academic exploration, but more importantly in theoretical innovation and discourse construction. It aligns with the important requirement of building an independent Chinese knowledge base, and reflects the sense of responsibility of contemporary Chinese scholars to speak up in the global academy. We aim to gather the wisdom and strength of academy, promote the construction of a new pattern of world civilization researchin China, inclusive, open and mutually learning, and contribute academic strength to building a community with a shared future for mankind.
The mentor team delivered thematic reports focusing on major theoretical issues of Eurasian civilizations. Professor Hou Jianxin reported on Reflections on the Emergence of European Civilization. Professor Swanson from the University of Birmingham (UK) reported on Rethinking Jewish History and Culture in Late Medieval Europe. Professor Okamoto Takashi from Waseda University (Japan) reported on What is Taxation at Production Place: China's Salt Administration and India's Salt Laws from a Comparative Perspective of Eastern and Western Civilizations. Professor Aurélien Lignereux from Université Grenoble Alpes (France) presented The Delimitation of European National Boundaries in the 19th Century: A Case Study of the Alps (1815-1914). Professor Zhao Yifeng from Northeast Normal University indicated The Rise and Fall of Scholar-Official Politics in the Ming Dynasty".
Experts, scholars and participants attending the conference conducted academic discussions on the thematic reports, exchanged viewpoints, shared insights and consensus, leading to a deeper understanding of the great significance of mutual learning.
Another important agenda of the conference was the review of participants' papers. Twenty participants elaborated on their submitted papers, followed by professional comments from members of the mentorteam. It aimed to cultivate innovative talents and pass on the academic torch.
