Lev Panin: Russian View of China’s Global Civilization Initiative

Mr. Lev Panin from the Russian Internatioanl Affairs Council (RIAC) in Moscow, gave this presentation at the webinar organised bt the Belt and Road Institute in Sweden (BRIX) on June 28th under the title “Decoupling or Bridging Civilizations: A Call for a Global Civilization Initiative“ that brought together diplomats, former officials, and experts from China, India, and Europe. The webinar answered the following questions: Are there common or universal values and principles that nations can agree upon to exist and build upon them to bridge the geopolitically induced widening gap between East and West and North and South today? Are there precedents for this type of dialog of civilizations that can be used as reference points? Can GCI and a genuine dialog of civilizations overcome the distorted view that “might makes right” and the powerful must inevitably dominate the rest? The combination of this lust for power together with an inherent belief in the egotistic nature of human beings has for far too long played a major role in spreading conflict and war. Zero-sum game mentality and imperialist policies no longer have a place in humanity’s future; rather respect for the dignity of diverse civilizations is the road to peace and economic development, or what President Xi calls “a community for a shared future for mankind”. Find more, visit our website: Email: info@