The World Congress and Executive Council of the International Confucian Association (ICA) has approved Liberia’s application and granted the country full Membership into the International Confucian Association. The ICA is headquartered in Beijing, the People’s Republic of China. The Congress of the International Confucian Association has 143 advisors, 314 council members, 61 member organizations and 1525 individual members across 85 countries and regions of the world.
Liberia successfully full membership includes voting rights and competing for elected positions following the application and presentation of Professor Josephus Moses Gray, Assistant Professor of International Relations at the Ibraham Badamasi Babangida (IBB) Graduate Program of International Studies of the University of Liberia.
During ICA Congress held at the Mohammed V University in Rabat, the Kingdom of Morocco, Professor Gray took advantage of the world stage to present the nation’s case for a full Membership. He delivered the six-address during the Second Session of the International Academic Symposium jointly organized by Mohammed V University of Morocco and International Confucian Association.
The UL professor delivered an instructive paper on the theme: “Safeguarding World Peace, Promoting a New era of a Common Development and Belt and Road: The Construction of a Community of a Shared Future for Mankind”.
The ICA global symposium brought together scholars from Twenty-six Countries representing three continents-Africa, Asia and Europe, with 17 Ph.D. holders, and Nine double masters’ degree holders including 13 academics with a full professorship and 12 other academics holders of associate and assistant professorship title while the rest were senior researchers. Each of the 26 scholars presented precisely on a specified topic for 30 minutes before an audience at the Mohammed V University.
The academic symposium was held under the theme: The Belt and Road Construction and Building a Community of Shared Future for mankind. While the sub-themes were: Historical experiences on the contact and mutual learning among Asian, African and European civilizations along the ancient Silk Road and Historical figures and tales of outstanding contributions for the contact and dialogue of different civilizations, countries, and regions in Asia, Africa and Europe along the ancient Silk Road.
The sub-theme also include :Safeguarding world peace, promoting an era of common development and discussing on the implementation of ” the Belt and Road” construction as well as on building a community of shared future for mankind; Pondering which international conventions and considerations must be present on “the Belt and Road” new model of international cooperation and Opinions, perspectives and suggestions by the Asian, African and European Academia and all sectors of society upon “The Belt and Road construction and Building a community of shared future for mankind”.
The specific work of the ICA includes: organizing international academic conferences and lectures; carrying out academic research; awarding scholars to academics, integrating academic information and resources and promoting the exchange of ideas and sharing experiences in the popularization of Confucianism; advancing education and faculty training in Confucianism. Others include publishing academic works, periodicals, and popular books; promoting friendly international exchanges and cooperation; raising funds for international Confucian studies; and exploring other undertakings conducive to the development of Confucianism The scholars came from three continents and regions of the world including France, Croatia, China, South Korea, Japan, Germany, Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Africa.
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The International Confucian Association (ICA) was jointly initiated by the academic societies of Confucianism in China, South Korea, Japan, the US, Germany, Singapore, Vietnam and the Chinese territories of Hong Kong and Taiwan. Although Confucianism originated in China, it has long transcended national boundaries and has become a global culture, playing an important role in driving the development and progress of human civilization.
After coming into being in China, Confucianism soon spread throughout Northeast and Southeast Asia and around the globe through assimilation and integration with existing cultures, Confucianism took on distinctive local features and had a tremendous and valuable impact on local politics, the economy, and culture. It had once become the guiding thought in governance on the Korean Peninsula, and in Japan, Vietnam and other countries and regions.
As an international academic and cultural organization, the ICA is a community of Confucian societies and scholars, with the purpose of “studying and carrying forward Confucian thought in order to push for the freedom and equality of mankind and the peaceful development and lasting prosperity of the world,” the ICA strives to unite Confucian societies, scholars and professionals to boost the study, dissemination, popularization, and application of Confucianism in the international community.
From the later medieval age on, Confucianism and Chinese civilization were introduced into Europe by Chinese and Europeans traveling to each other’s countries. Missionaries of the Society of Jesus who had stayed in China returned to Europe, introducing and advocating Confucianism and other Chinese ancient books and records, which exerted significant influence on the philosophical and cultural communities of Europe. Between the 16th and 18th century, a “Chinese Culture Wave” swept Europe.
A great number of prominent scholars in Germany, France, Britain, Italy, and Russia paid close attention to and studied Chinese philosophy, literature, history, economy, politics, and the military and demonstrated a great wisdom and far-sightedness in their interpretation and admiration of Chinese civilization.
Since its founding 20 years ago, the ICA has been carrying out the study and dissemination of Confucian thought, all the while promoting the practical use of Confucianism together with Confucian societies, scholars, and professionals worldwide. With its growing influence, the ICA has become an established international academic authority.
The International Conference in Commemorating the Anniversary of Confucius’ Birth, co-hosted by the ICA, UNESCO and other institutions every five years, has become a symbolic gathering in the international Confucian community.
