World listens to Chinese voice as Kunming declaration approved

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-07-31 17:15

KUNMING: The international Union of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences (IUAES) has approved China's declaration advocating a harmonious world, common prosperity and cultural diversity, as the 16th IUAES congress held in China is due to end here Friday.

Known as the "Olympics of Anthropology and Ethnology", the world conference was held for the first time in China from July 27 to 31.

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The Kunming declaration was drafted by the congress's organizing committee and adopted by IUAES members on Thursday night.

"This is the first time China has made her voice well heard by the international anthropological and ethnological circles on the world stage for almost a hundred years," said Huang Zhongcai, secretary general of the organizing committee.

"It's a landmark declaration indicating China's getting a significant say in the global academic circles. From now on, Chinese scholars will communicate more with international counterparts," said Huang.

According to Huang, the declaration illustrates to the world from the standpoint of anthropology that China proposes scientific development, harmonious society, ethnic equality and cultural diversity.

"The cultural diversity is a great achievement in human adaptation, a powerful demonstration of the uniqueness of the human thirst for innovation and originality, and also a sound basis for humanitarian interaction and a boundless fountain of individual happiness," the declaration said.

"The international community must respect the equal rights for economic development among developing countries, ethnic minorities, vulnerable groups, and communities. Their cultural integrity, social dignity, and rights for expression must be respected as well," it said.

The IUAES congress, a quinquennial event, has drawn more than 4,000 experts and researchers from all over the world. Participants attended 156 panel discussions to explore issues including cultural diversity, AIDS, child trafficking, global aging, ethnicity, urban development, religions and linguistic evolution.

Other activities held during the event included keynote speeches, lectures, exhibitions and field trips.

The congress is scheduled to end Friday afternoon. Atn the closing ceremony, the hosting country of the 17th congress will be announced.

Huang also told Xinhua that many experts believe it is the time to establish China's independent schools of anthropology and ethnology.

"The next step for us is to integrate domestic resources of anthropology and ethnology," he said.