Editor's note: Davie Ford, professor of the National University of Milan, Italy, made a keynote speech at the 5th Nishan Forum on World Civilizations on September 26th , 2018. The views are concluded here for readers.

Today's world is in a historical period of great development and change. Chinese excellent traditional culture, including Confucianism, provides rich philosophical and cultural support for promoting the harmonious integration of civilizations and building a community with shared future for mankind.

The Nishan Forum on World Civilizations, echoing with the UN World Civilization Dialogue Initiative, is an excellent pageant, in order to promote dialogue, cooperation, mutual learning, and integrated development of world civilizations, as well as promote building a community with shared future for mankind. It is a great platform to introduce to the world Chinese wisdom, Chinese path and Chinese solutions.

Qufu is the birthplace of Confucius and Confucian culture. As the mainstream of traditional Chinese culture, Confucius and Confucianism have made indelible contributions to the development of the Chinese nation and the advancement of human civilization. Its essence still shines with dazzling light.