3rd GLOBAL ETHICS SYMPOSIUM 
July 7th through July 10th, 2005

Beijing Declaration

The Third Global Ethics Symposium The Third Global Ethics Symposium co-sponsored by the Pacific Rim Institute for Development & Education, (PRIDE) and the Institute of World Religions, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, (IWR/CASS), was held in Beijing, China, from July 7-10, 2005, with over 150 participants representing 13 countries: the United States, China, Japan, Australia, the Republic of Korea, Pakistan, Nepal, New Zealand, India, Cameroon, Mexico, Bolivia, and Morocco.

The Secretary General of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences emphasized that this symposium covered a large variety of topics of great and significant relevance, bearing on moral reconstruction, religious dialogue, cultural development and progress in education. Global Ethics, under certain circumstances, could be developed into a trend of thought and social movement going beyond religious boundaries. The Chinese people are working enthusiastically for the establishment of a harmonious socialist society. The application of moral resources that are both advanced and universal, including those of a religious nature, will play a crucial role in the maintenance of social harmony. China's experience in this area would constitute a great contribution to both the theory and content of a global ethical system, and would significantly contribute to international academic progress and social development.
In the days preceding the Symposium, adults and youth from the PRIDE delegation participated in cross-cultural exchanges on issues concerning global ethics in several cities throughout China. Shanghai Normal University and PRIDE held a joint seminar on Global Ethics with Chinese and international participants representing the fields of education and law. The program included 25 international youth, five PRIDE Youth Ambassadors for Peace and 80 Chinese students from the University. In Qingdao, about 50 Chinese students with faculty from Ocean University participated in a similar exchange of ideas on various topics, including the moral education of children.

This type of exchange continued at Beijing Normal University, where the importance of promoting friendship, harmony, trust and love among all peoples and nations was emphasized, including the importance of caring for orphans and other helpless or indigent individuals. Several speakers pointed out the necessity of combining family and societal education in raising children. They suggested that Eastern and Western values could be harmonized through regular cultural exchanges. This meeting was also marked by an exchange between 27 Chinese students and PRIDE’s youth delegation on the role of youth in relation to global ethics and the cooperation of schools as a supportive system for outreach programs.

In Beijing, the Third Global Ethics Symposium emphasized our common humanity in the hope that one day, for example, we will see Christian and Jewish families adopt Moslem orphans, and Moslem families adopt Hindu parentless children, so that the principles of the oneness of humanity, of universal love and of motherhood will apply to all children without any form of prejudices.

The scholars and experts stressed the importance of unity and education as a vehicle for the promotion of global ethics in the family and society, and of striking a balance between the two. They urged respect for the diversity of views and called for dialogue among major world faiths and among world civilizations. The objective is to overcome prejudice and hatred, reduce violence, work on common values, establish trust, respect each others' values, and promote global cooperation and world peace. They considered the Earth as one country and humankind as its citizens.

The Youth agreed that incorporating universal activities such as service, arts, music, games and athletics can help overcome language and cultural barriers to create cross-cultural friendships and a global identity. It was agreed that developing further ongoing international service projects would positively contribute to the community at large by creating a generation of world citizens, united, awakened, and active. The participants stressed the crucial importance of the role of youth in furthering international understanding and in serving as good will ambassadors. They expressed a great satisfaction at learning that youth will be represented at the United Nations

The participants encourage the United Nations to continue and strengthen the dialogue among civilizations and among religions, as a special contribution to international peace. The Third Symposium wishes to express support to the Declaration of the Summit of Heads of State and Government to be held at UN Headquarters in New York, from September 14-16, 2005, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the organization. In particular, the participants express their satisfaction for the inclusion in the Declaration of a section that deals with values and principles.

The Third Global Ethics Symposium and Youth Summit were very informative, providing a deeper understanding of the impact of secular and religious morality on global issues. All the participants agreed that this exchange constitutes an important contribution to international understanding and world peace.

Beijing, July 10, 2005.