The 10th BNU Philosophy Summer School, held in Beijing and Quzhou from July 10 to 23, successfully concluded. Over the past decade, this flagship program has evolved into a globally recognized platform for cross-cultural exchange, welcoming more than 400 young scholars from 69 countries and regions to explore the depth of Chinese philosophy and its contemporary relevance.

Since its inauguration in 2015, the BNU Philosophy Summer School has stayed true to its mission: to bridge civilizations by making Chinese philosophical thought accessible, relevant, and engaging for international audiences. What began as a two-week academic initiative has grown into a comprehensive program blending rigorous scholarship with immersive cultural experiences, earning acclaim from participants, partner institutions, and global media alike.

A Decade of Academic Excellence: Building a Global Community

At the heart of the Summer School lies its commitment to academic depth. Over 10 years, the program has assembled a distinguished faculty of over 50 scholars from top universities worldwide – including the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Rome Tor Vergata, and Peking University. Over these ten years, these experts have led more than 120 lectures and roundtable discussions, covering topics from pre-Qin Confucianism and Daoism to the dialogue between Chinese philosophy and global ethical frameworks.

The 2025 anniversary edition of the Summer School elevated this tradition with a special “Youth Leadership Workshop,” where 8 outstanding young scholars from the United States, Chile, Russia, and Malaysia shared their research on “Chinese Thought and Modern Civilization.” This session, paired with the signature “Thinking China” roundtable—featuring Romanian Academy member Mircea Dumitru and Tunisian scholar Hichem Messaoudi—underscored the program’s focus on fostering youth-driven intellectual exchange.

“Philosophy is the undertaking of ‘the love of wisdom,’ and its vitality lies in eternal inquiry and open exploration. The significance of the Summer School goes beyond the transmission of knowledge; it is more about igniting the spark of civilizational mutual learning,” said Prof. Wu Xiangdong, Dean of the School of Philosophy at Beijing Normal University and founder of the Summer School. “Today, our alumni—whether teaching at Confucius Institutes, conducting research at leading universities, or promoting cross-cultural dialogue—are the best evidence that this mission has been fulfilled.”

Immersive Experiences: From Classrooms to Cultural Landscapes

Beyond lectures, the Summer School is celebrated for its “Academic + Experiential” model, which connects philosophical theory to real-world practice. Each year, participants embark on curated trips to cultural and historical sites, from Beijing’s Forbidden City and the Great Wall to Quzhou’s Confucian Temple (a sacred site of Southern Confucianism) and its surrounding rural villages like Yudong, where they witness how traditional Chinese values continue to shape modern rural development.

In 2025, participants in Quzhou tried their hands at traditional crafts like pottery-making and stone-rubbing (a technique to preserve ancient inscriptions), while engaging with local residents to discuss “Confucian Ethics in Daily Life.” “Touching the stone tablets at Quzhou’s Confucian Temple and talking to villagers about how ‘harmony’ guides their communities – that’s when Chinese philosophy stopped being just words in a book,” shared Pilar Sánchez Ordóñez, a participant from Argentina.

Global Impact: Alumni as Cultural Ambassadors

A key measure of the Summer School’s success is the consistent positive feedback and recognition it receives from participants. Since 2015, following the conclusion of each session, attendees have consistently reported their significant accomplishments and experiences through questionnaires, interviews, and other channels. Specifically, they noted that the academic seminars and cultural activities transformed their understanding of Chinese culture and philosophy, while simultaneously fostering intellectual resonance through cross-cultural exchanges. Furthermore, numerous participants highlighted that dialogues with both Chinese and international scholars, alongside collaborative peer discussions, vividly deepened their appreciation for the contemporary significance of core concepts.

The program’s reach is further amplified by its partnerships with international institutions, including the University of Macerata (Italy) and the University of Manchester (UK), as well as media coverage from numerous important outlets, including China Daily, Guangming Daily, China Education Network Television, and Tencent News.

Looking Ahead: A Vision for the Next Decade

Entering its second decade, the Summer School will sharpen its thematic focus to “Chinese Philosophy for Global Challenges.” This new direction seeks to apply ancient wisdom, exploring how core concepts like “Great Harmony” and “Harmony with Nature” can offer relevant and actionable frameworks for managing 21st-century issues—from mitigating climate change and reducing inequality to resolving cross-cultural conflicts.

“Chinese philosophy has much to offer the world, especially in an era of division,” said Prof. Thomas Michael, Vice Director of BNU’s International MA Program in Chinese Philosophy. “Over the next 10 years, we want this Summer School to not just teach Chinese philosophy – but to use it as a tool for building a more connected, compassionate global community.”

For more information about the BNU Philosophy Summer School, visit the School of Philosophy’s official website at https://phil.bnu.edu.cn/english or follow @bnusop on Instagram.

Contact: Ms. Ma Ziqian

Email: maziqian@bnu.edu.cn

Phone: +86 (10) 58809394