“International Forum on Mutual Learning among Civilizations 2026” to be held in November
In order to promote international cultural exchange and to further leverage Macao’s advantages as a window for the convergence of Chinese and Western cultures and a platform for global civilizational dialogue, the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region, with the support of the Chinese Academy of History of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, organizes the “International Forum on Mutual Learning among Civilizations 2026”, to be held in Macao on 9 and 10 November.
The keynote session of this year’s Forum takes the theme “Mutual Learning among Civilizations, Inheritance and Development”, featuring three thematic sessions dedicated to “Cross-disciplinary Cultural Dialogue”, “Cultural Connections between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries” and “The Glory of Civilizations in the AI Era”, as well as a series of academic meetings, exploring the contemporary value of inheritance and cultural exchange among civilizations from multiple perspectives. Representatives of government departments from various countries and regions, international organizations, and renowned experts and scholars from home and abroad will gather in Macao to participate in an in-depth dialogue that connects diverse civilizations across the globe amid a new digital era, featuring nearly 20 keynote speeches during the two-day event, inspiring new ideas and innovative perspectives to promote inheritance among civilizations and cross-disciplinary cultural exchanges in the new era.
Macao stands as a vivid testament to the encounter of Chinese and Western civilizations. With the fusion of the traditional Lingnan culture and Portuguese customs, the interplay of historic buildings and intangible cultural heritage, as well as the harmonious coexistence of diverse ethnic communities, it has forged an unparalleled urban cultural identity under the principle of “One Country, Two Systems”. Leveraging its role as “a base for exchange and cooperation where Chinese culture is the mainstream and diverse cultures coexist”, Macao serves as a cultural bridge connecting Chinese Mainland with the world, continuously building a platform for regular international academic exchange, opening a new chapter that celebrates harmonious coexistence and shared beauty among diverse civilizations.
The 1st “International Forum on Mutual Learning among Civilizations” was held in December 2025, gathering political figures from various countries, representatives of international organizations and leading experts and scholars to present high-quality keynote speeches in Macao. The “Mutual Learning among Civilizations and Inheritance through Innovation: The Macao Initiative” work was also released, injecting a new momentum into mutual learning among civilisations across the globe. The Forum serves as an important measure for Macao to actively align with the national cultural development strategy, implement the global civilization initiative, and actively participate in global civilizational dialogue. The Forum further demonstrates Macao’s unique role in the process of mutual learning among civilizations and its position for development, broadening its international circle of associates, taking culture as link and dialogue as bridge to promote international cooperation and mutual benefit, valuing Macao’s contribution to building a community with a shared future for humanity.