The 8th Connecting the World and the Future International Symposium was held at the Songjiang Campus of Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) from November 15 to 16, 2025.Hosted by SISU and organized by the Shanghai Academy of Global Governance and Area Studies, the symposium centered on the theme "Localized Strategies for the Four Global Initiatives: Integrating Regional Expertise and Global Vision". It brought together over 160 experts and scholars from 11 countries, including Russia, Romania, Saudi Arabia, and the United States.SISU Vice President Lin Xuelei attended and addressed the opening ceremony. During the ceremony, the Shanghai Academy of Global Governance and Area Studies officially launched its 2026 International Visiting Scholars Program. Focusing on Global Europe studies, the program is now open for applications from scholars worldwide.
The conference featured keynote speeches, where three distinguished Chinese and international scholars shared in-depth insights aligned with the conference theme.
Additionally, two roundtable dialogues were held, dividing participants into two groups. Experts engaged in thorough exchanges on the localization of global initiatives from multiple regional perspectives and diverse practical approaches.
Since its inception in 2018, the Connecting the World and the Future International Symposium has been successfully held eight times. This year's edition included 14 parallel forums covering various fields including economy, diplomacy, security, and cultural exchange, serving as a valuable platform for advancing the reform of the global governance system and promoting area studies.
