East Asks | George Papandreou: How to break free from the "clash of civilizations" narrative trap?

(China News Service, Hangzhou, January 12) Title: How to break free from the "clash of civilizations" narrative trap?

—An Interview with Former Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou

Author Lin Bo

Throughout the long history of humankind, various ethnic groups have nurtured unique and distinctive civilizations, collectively constructing a magnificent garden of human civilization. For thousands of years, exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations have never ceased, jointly writing a glorious chapter of civilization where each culture appreciates its own beauty, the beauty of others, and the beauty of all things in harmony.

What resonance exists between the ancient Greek tradition of dialogue and the Chinese civilization's concept of "harmony without uniformity"? How should we understand the role of "mutual learning among civilizations"? In the digital age, how can we avoid cultural bias and cultivate "global citizenship" through education? Recently, former Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou gave an exclusive interview to China News Service's "East Meets West" program, providing his insights.

The following is a summary of the interview transcript:

China News Service reporter: What are the commonalities between the ancient Greek tradition of dialogue and the Chinese civilization's concept of "harmony without uniformity"? How should we understand the role of "mutual learning among civilizations" in addressing global challenges?

George Papandreou: When I speak of the ancient Greek tradition of dialogue, I am not referring to debate as a tit-for-tat struggle, a point Socrates consistently emphasized in his dialogues. Our exchanges should not aim to persuade the other party or win the argument, but rather to listen and learn from each other. By examining viewpoints, listening to revisions, and building consensus, we benefit both the city-states of the past and the global community of today.

China's concept of "harmony without uniformity" demonstrates shared wisdom. Differences are not a threat, but a valuable resource; harmony does not mean uniformity, but rather win-win cooperation without eliminating one's own unique characteristics.

These two concepts offer key insights for global governance: world governance must never be dominated or controlled by one side; only through respect and participation can legitimate understanding and trust be built. The legitimacy of dialogue stems from treating others as equal subjects, while the legitimacy of "harmony in diversity" lies in recognizing the value of diverse development paths and different voices.

Therefore, "mutual learning among civilizations" is not just a pipe dream or a slogan, but has real practical significance.

China News Service reporter: How do you view the tension between China and Europe as "strategic partners" and "systemic rivals"?

George Papandreou: I firmly believe that there is enormous potential for deepening and expanding cooperation between the EU and China. We should work together with African countries and communities to promote investment and help them achieve sustainable development, local prosperity, and shared innovation. This partnership will not only enhance the resilience of the African economy but also build a more balanced and inclusive global economic system, benefiting both the EU and China in the long run.

Regarding the internal debate within the EU about whether to classify China as a "strategic partner" or a "systemic rival," I believe that state relations can be multi-layered: competition in some areas, consultation in others, and cooperation on global issues. As mutual trust deepens, the scope for cooperation will further expand. The danger lies in allowing a single label to dominate all policies, which could evolve into a "self-fulfilling prophecy."

China News Service reporter: In recent years, European policy statements regarding China have included the concept of "de-risking." How do you think China and Europe should avoid falling into a "clash of civilizations" narrative and truly achieve the "inclusive globalization" you propose?

George Papandreou: I understand the motivation for “de-risking”. The ability to withstand risks is crucial for supply chains, key technologies, and economic stability, but it must not evolve into “decoupling”, much less become a cultural value judgment.

To break free from the narrative trap of the "clash of civilizations" and move towards inclusive globalization, we need to interpret "civilization" from a different perspective: How should different civilizations utilize the power of humanity and various countries? Should they create a shared future, or should they check and balance each other?

If we are to be responsible for the world today and for future generations, international relations must adhere to four principles: First, build rules-based trust by reducing doubts through predictable regulation, transparent investment reviews, and unified standards; second, maintain open communication channels to ensure the vitality of various exchanges, such as student exchanges and sister city cooperation, and avoid the emergence of stereotypes due to interrupted exchanges; third, build joint problem-solving platforms to collaborate on issues such as climate and public health, and break down one-sided narratives through concrete cooperation; and fourth, use a respectful discourse system, abandoning the notion of viewing history as a zero-sum moral competition, and avoiding exacerbating anxiety and escalating conflicts.

The core of inclusive globalization is that the benefits of openness and trade must be distributed fairly among different groups within a country and between countries. If globalization is seen as humiliation by some and as a path to exclusive prosperity by others, resentment will erode the foundation of international cooperation.

China News Service reporter: Can the concept of "common good" in ancient Greek philosophy and the Chinese idea of ​​"universal harmony" provide a new ethical framework for the international community today? From the perspective of Greek modernization, how should ancient civilizations find a balance between tradition and innovation?

George Papandreou: The ancient Greek concept of the "public good" advocated for political practices in public life, with the core objective of the city-state's "political system." It aimed to build and share a common cause, fostering a virtuous and prosperous community life where all citizens could live good lives, rather than becoming a vicious arena dominated by private interests and concentrated capital. China's ideal of "Great Harmony" envisions a world order where "the world belongs to all," and where rulers govern not for a specific ethnic group or dynasty.

These ideas collectively call for an ethical shift: abandoning the view of sovereignty as absolute freedom that disregards the consequences for other nations, and instead viewing it as a responsibility—that every action carries the burden of upholding the freedom of others in order to achieve one's own freedom, whether it be carbon emissions, resource extraction, initiating dialogue, data regulation, or border control. Only by cultivating a culture that promotes global citizenship, emphasizes reflection, accountability, and education, and requires individuals to be responsible for the consequences of their actions can freedom endure.

All ancient civilizations face the challenge of how to modernize without self-destruction. Modernization cannot be imposed from the outside; it requires understanding, acceptance, shaping, and internalization by its own citizens. Greece's experience shows that modernization is not simply copying others, and integrating into the EU framework and rules is not a mechanical "copy-and-paste" operation. In essence, it is a process of deepening understanding and profound integration of different cultures towards a common goal.

Therefore, the core of modernization is transformation and reconstruction, using universal tools such as science, systems, and technology to pursue universal goals such as people's well-being and good governance, while adapting to local history, society, and cultural connotations.

China News Service reporter: In your opinion, how can we avoid cultural bias and cultivate "global citizenship" through education in the digital age?

George Papandreou: In the digital age, information is abundant while wisdom is scarce. Social media algorithms deliberately incite conflict and simplify complex facts to gain traffic, creating "information cocoons." This makes young people, despite unprecedented interconnectedness, prone to misunderstandings, biased perceptions, and polarized stances, feeling lonely even with frequent digital communication. Algorithms further compress civilization into empty slogans, simplify history into attention-grabbing headlines, and drown out vibrant individuals.

Therefore, education is not merely about imparting knowledge, but also about cultivating discernment and empathy, returning to the essence of moral education and civic cultivation, rather than simply providing skills training.

Based on this belief, I co-founded the "Aiger Project" with my Chinese friends, reviving the ancient Greek tradition of public dialogue known as "Aiger," and reshaping a public space for free exchange among young people worldwide. We firmly believe that interpersonal communication, especially youth interaction, is a solid foundation for building international trust—the achievements and spirit of government agreements ultimately need to be carried forward and practiced by the younger generation.

President Xi Jinping emphasized that "the key to good relations between countries lies in the affinity between their people, and the key to affinity between people lies in mutual understanding," a sentiment I wholeheartedly agree with. Dialogue among civilizations cannot remain merely at the official level; it must be integrated with personal experiences and achieved through shared learning, exchange, and cooperation.

To eliminate cultural biases and cultivate genuine global citizenship, education in the digital age should focus on four core tasks: cultivating critical thinking and media literacy, learning about comparative civilizations, developing dialogue skills, and engaging in immersive communication practices.

I encourage Chinese youth to learn about the European tradition of civic participation in order to strengthen institutional effectiveness and social trust; I also encourage European youth to learn from China's long-term vision and uphold intergenerational thinking and the concept of harmony in diversity.

A globalized, people-oriented future cannot be driven solely by markets or treaties; it requires the involvement of young people with diverse cultural perspectives. These efforts are not optional, but rather the only viable path to building a peaceful and sustainable world. (End)

Interviewee Profile:

George Papandreou, former Prime Minister of Greece, comes from a prominent Greek political family; both his grandfather and father served as Prime Minister of Greece. He studied in several countries in his early years, earning bachelor's and master's degrees from Amherst College, the London School of Economics, and Harvard University. He is fluent in multiple languages ​​and possesses extensive cross-cultural experience. As a seasoned politician and international activist, he has long been committed to promoting social democratic values ​​and has been deeply involved in education, particularly in aesthetic education and the cultivation of global citizenship. He is the author of works such as *Learning Is My Life's Support*.