The 11th ASEAN+3 University Culture and Arts Consortium Annual Meeting convened on July 26th at the China-ASEAN Education Cooperation Week permanent venue. Hosted by the ASEAN University Network (AUN) and organized by Guizhou University, the event featured attendance by dignitaries including AUN Executive Secretary Thanapan Laiprakobsup, Consortium Chair Glorife Samodio, and Guizhou University Vice President Wang Jinrong. The meeting brought together distinguished guests and academic representatives from ASEAN nations and domestic universities to discuss pertinent cultural and artistic topics.

In his opening remarks, Wang Jinrong emphasized Guizhou University's enduring commitment to open education and its proactive international development strategy. He affirmed the timeliness of the annual conference, citing its alignment with global intercultural exchange and the vital role of higher education in fostering cultural and artistic advancement, as well as interpersonal connections. Guizhou University, he stated, remains dedicated to local cultural preservation and innovation while simultaneously promoting international collaboration, working alongside global scholars to deepen intercultural exchange, encourage scholarly exploration, and achieve ambitious goals of transcendence.

Glorife Samodio asserted that the conference transcended a mere academic assembly, serving as a vital platform for intercultural dialogue and a critical step towards achieving the collaborative "X" mission within the ASEAN University Network. She underscored the transformative opportunities facing the creative industry, alongside the evolving educational ecosystem and the pervasive influence of emerging technologies on artistic creation and pedagogical approaches. Consequently, she expressed optimism that the meeting would foster substantive exchange among emerging creative talents, practitioners, and educators, facilitating the exploration of novel artistic dimensions and the promotion of sustainable development within the global creative industry ecosystem.

In his address, Thanapan Laiprakobsup affirmed art's vital role in preserving cultural identity, noting that this year's meeting theme reflects a shared commitment to transcending cultural boundaries and pursuing excellence in creative education. He expressed the hope that artists and educators would engage in robust exchange, contributing their expertise to address regional challenges in cultural and artistic development, ultimately shaping future cultural societies.

Following the opening ceremony, Mu Weiping, Dean of College of Music at Guizhou University; Dennis Marasigan, Vice President and Artistic Director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines; Aloysius Alec Mapalo, Tourism Operations Officer of Baguio City; and Tang Changqiao, Party Secretary of College of Arts at Guizhou University presented keynote addresses. Their speeches explored contemporary issues, including AI's impact on art education, cultural integration within ASEAN and East Asia, intangible cultural heritage innovation, and the intersection of digital civilization with new artistic forms.

Subsequently, the conference will proceed with two parallel dialogue and research forums. These forums aim to convene international scholars to examine the role of cultural and artistic education in balancing tradition with innovation. Discussions will focus on empowering youth and promoting regional and global sustainable development within an era of rapid technological progress and increasing cultural integration.

This year's annual conference, themed "Creating X: Exchange, Explore, Transcend," possesses profound implications given its contemporary relevance. "X" encapsulates concepts such as innovation and limitless possibilities, urging participants to foster exchange, deepen understanding across diverse cultural and artistic realms, explore boundaries, and co-create the future.

Building upon Guizhou University's 18-year commitment to China-ASEAN Education Cooperation, manifested through its cultivation of talent, research, and cultural dissemination, this conference aims to further enhance exchange platforms and international cooperation.

Editor: Pang Aizhong & Zhang Chan  

Chief Editor: Li Xufeng

Senior Editor: Ding Long

Translator: Tan Jing