Exploration and Practice towards Eco-civilization and Rural Vitalization in Lijiang

From Oct. 23rd to 25th, the Exploration and Practice towards Eco-civilization and Rural Vitalization in Lijiang - International Forum on Inheritance and Innovation of Naxi Culture was held at Lijiang City, Yunnan Province. The three-day event was co-host by Beijing International Exchange Association Sustainable Development Committee (BJ-SDC) and International Scientific Exchange Foundation of China (ISEFC) and was organized by Lu'nagu Village in Yulong County, Yunnan Plume Travel and Lijiang Lutu Outdoor Sports Club. It also received tremendous support from Lijiang Folk Artists Association, Jinjia Jingsong Culture and Art Studio, Lijiang Snow Mountain Academy, Naxi and Zang Cultural Museum, Lijiang Mufu Mansion, The Red Mountain Academy and Sunshine 100 COARTVILLAGE. Over 100 experts, scholars and entrepreneurs from China, UK, Singapore, Malaysia and Kenya presented at the event.

Ray Liu, Chairman of BJ-SDC delivered a welcome speech at the Forum in Lijiang Guanfang Hotel.

Facing unprecedented challenge to our common human civilization, China holds high the banner of Community of Shared Destiny for All Mankind as the new normal for future civilization and makes strong efforts to promote construction of eco-civilization. In this context, the Forum was born and Lijiang was the perfect place to hold this forum as the city has been being the example of co-existence of multi-nationalities and breeding the wisdom of eco-civilization since ancient times.

A moment of the Forum (Guanfang Hotel)

Heated discussions were conducted at the forum around topics of “Eco-civilization on the Perspective of Bio-diversity and Cultural Diversity”, “Vitalizing Rural Areas from Ecology, Industries, Talents and Culture”, Inheritance and Innovation of Naxi Culture under the Direction and Methodology of Inheritance of Cultural Heritage” and “Creating a New Image of Lijiang from Stories that Influence the Common Destiny of All Human Beings”.

General Lu Wenhu delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the event in Lu'nagu Village.

The forum received great support from domestic guests in various areas, including General Lu Wenhu, Deputy Director of National Leading Group for Film and TV Works Creation on Major Historic Event; Ms. Chen Xi, Chairwoman of International Scientific Exchange Foundation of China; Mr. Yang Xiaolu, Secretary-General of Science and Art Committee, ISEFC; Ms. Xiao Shuzhen, Project Expert of UNESCO International Research and Training Center for Rural Education; Mr. Tian Song, Professor of History and Philosophy of Science, Beijing Normal University; Mr. Li Yufeng, Director of Echo Cultural Development Institute and Mr. Yang Fuquan, Vice Chair of Association for China Ethnic Studies, etc.

Prof. Tian Song gave a keynote speech at the forum. (Guanfang Hotel)

At the opening ceremony on Oct. 23rd, General Lu Wenhu made a speech on the topic of Reflecting Sustainable Development from Chuang Tsu‘s View of Do not Let the Artificial Obliterate the Nature. In his speech, He said that though the development speed in Lijiang was comparatively slow, its unique natural environment, cultural resources, and especially its tradition of reverence for nature make the city embrace an unprecedented significance and a creative future, which will definitely have late-mover advantage in the era of eco-civilization.

In the following two days, several experts and scholars also delivered excellent speeches on the topics of Eco-civilization and Rural Vitalization: Critical Moment for Systematic Change on Culture and Knowledge, Bio-diversity in Lijiang and Relationship between Human Beings and Nature in Naxi Culture, Happiness of Naxi People: Obeying the Law of Co-existing with the Nature, the Simple Logic of Bio-diversity Protection, and from Agricultural Practice to Eco-civilization, advocating attendees to cherish the land, animals, environment and culture.


Simon Jones, Senior Consultant of the Prince’s Foundation delivered a keynote speech at the forum. (Guanfang Hotel)
Emmanuel Dennis Ngongo gave keynote speech at the Forum. (Guanfang Hotel)

Having working in the marketing and communication industry for years, Simon Jones, Senior Consultant of the Prince’s Foundation and Specialists on Global Strategic Communication and Reputation Management created a whole new story for Lijiang facing the future. David Harland, CEO of Eden Project International Limited and Richard Good, Creative Catalyst of Eden Project separately shared how Eden Project transformed from a barren clay pit to the “World’s Eighth Wonder” with the biggest rainforest biome and Mediterranean biome in captive. Integrating tourism, education, science and research, Eden Project has already attracted 18 million tourists around the world and realized economic sustainability on the base of eco-sustainability. Alwin van der Linde, International Well-known Artist and International Consultant of Xi’an City shared all the attendees a representative rural vitalization project in a remote village in Spain, where Mr. van der Linde devoted his artistic and creative knowledge and received inspiring result. Paul Clarke, President of Pop-up Foundation, has promoted several “edible towns” in the UK and France, which has achieved remarkable goals on providing healthy food to the cities and rebuilding human relationship through planting. This time, he led attendees to an outdoor experience and together feel the wisdom of nature.

Event Opening Gala at Lu'nagu Village
Group photo at the Mufu Mansion

Echoes of Naxi Concert at Guanfang Hotel
Group Photo at Lu'nagu Village

In the three-day event, both domestic and international guests had an immersive experience on Naxi culture and enjoyed the overwhelming nature music. They also jointly shared their wisdom, love and their practice on rural vitalization around the world, which contributed abundant creativity to rural vitalization and creation of a new image to Lijiang City.


         * Photos: Frank Deng