The People’s Republic of China and Nigerian government have harped on the need to foster peace through cultural and entertainment initiatives.
Newsspecng.com reports that the call was made during the 5th National Entertainment and Peace Summit, themed “Cultivating A Culture of Peace” on Saturday in Abuja.
The summit was organised by the Drum Majors for Peace in partnership with the China Cultural Center in Nigeria, to commemorate World Peace Day, 2024.
According to Mr Yang Jianxing, the cultural counselor of the Chinese Embassy, there is a close relationship between entertainment and peace as it alleviates negative emotions and provides relaxation, promoting a sense of unity among different people despite their diverse backgrounds.
He explained that despite being from different countries, people are fundamentally the same and share common human emotions and experiences which can create conflict or foster peace.
“We believe that entertainment can help alleviate negative emotions by providing relaxation and a means to forget temporary sadness.
“Therefore China places great importance in people to people communication and friendship through cultural exchange for global peace.
“The collaboration between China and Nigeria aims to cultivate a culture of peace and promote cultural diplomacy, further contributing to global efforts for a more peaceful world.”
He also expressed his commitment to working hard to promote cultural exchange and improve communication between the two countries.
On his part, Amb. Nsikan Paul, Executive Director, Drum Majors for Peace reiterated his committment to promoting peace, inclusivity, and social cohesion through the powerful channels of entertainment, dialogue, youth development, and creative empowerment.
He also noted that peace is more than just the absence of conflict adding that it is a condition of harmony that must be cultivated by intentional acts and efforts.
Today, as we come together under the banner of peace, we are reminded of the immense power of creativity in shaping a better world.
“Through positive entertainment and meaningful dialogue, we aim to build sustainable cities and communities that are inclusive, fair, and resilient; aligning our efforts with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goals 1, 2, 11, 16 and Goal 17.
“We are dedicated to providing young people with platforms to discover, develop, and maximize their potential, empowering them to become responsible and patriotic citizens.
“We are especially proud of our joint effort to promote peace via the arts, as evidenced by our win as the Grand Prize winners of the Energy China Dance Competition, sponsored by the Chinese Cultural Center and Energy China Nigeria.”
