Second Global Mazu Culture Forum Held at UN Headquarters in New York

Times Square Global Live | UN Coverage

Second Global Mazu Culture Forum Held at UN Headquarters in New York

by Winny Power

New York, October 18, 2024

The Second Global Mazu Culture Forum was successfully held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on October 18, 2024, bringing together over 100 Mazu devotees and distinguished guests from the United States, Canada, Peru, and China, including participants from Fujian, Jiangxi, and Shandong provinces. The forum provided a platform for in-depth discussions on the global inheritance and development of Mazu culture.

Celebrating a Global Cultural Heritage

Since Mazu belief was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009, Mazu culture has spread to 51 countries and regions worldwide. There are more than 10,000 Mazu temples and over 300 million adherents globally. Beyond serving as a spiritual link for Chinese communities, Mazu culture has become an important component of global cultural diversity. Its core values—virtue, benevolence, and universal love—contribute to promoting world peace and cross-cultural understanding.

Mazu, revered as a sea goddess, embodies compassion, protection, and harmony, values that resonate with the mission of the United Nations. The forum celebrated this enduring cultural heritage while reflecting on its contemporary significance. By appreciating Mazu’s legacy together, participants sought to bridge gaps between nations, promote mutual understanding, and inspire global cooperation. The forum emphasized respect for nature, community protection, and the fostering of cross-border cultural connections, all in the spirit of Mazu.

“Guided by Mazu’s spirit, we are called to build a more compassionate, harmonious, and sustainable world,” noted the organizers. “Her teachings of tolerance, respect for diversity, and commitment to peace offer a roadmap for addressing today’s global challenges through dialogue and collaboration.”

Forum Highlights and Activities

The Second Global Mazu Culture Forum at the UN highlighted the cultural and international significance of Mazu’s values in global peace and cooperation. Hosted jointly by the Mazu Foundation of the United States and the World Mazu Cultural Exchange Research Association, with guidance from the Meizhou Mazu Ancestral Temple Board, the forum featured:

Keynote speech by Mr. Lin Jinzhan, Chairman of the Meizhou Mazu Ancestral Temple Board

Academic seminars and expert panels exploring Mazu cultural preservation and global dissemination

Networking and cultural exchange sessions allowing participants from diverse countries to share achievements and best practices

Presentation of commemorative gifts and certificates to honor contributions to Mazu cultural heritage

The forum successfully demonstrated the role of Mazu culture in fostering global dialogue and intercultural understanding, while highlighting the international influence and inclusiveness of Chinese culture in the modern era.

Significance for Global Cultural Exchange

As a United Nations-hosted event, the forum served as a platform for leaders, scholars, and cultural ambassadors to advance international cooperation. With its core values of universal love and peace, the forum illustrated how traditional cultural heritage can inspire global collaboration and dialogue, offering a model for cultural diplomacy in the 21st century.

About the Reporter

This report was prepared by Times Square Global Live, a professional media organization covering international affairs and UN events. The coverage emphasizes:

Newsworthiness: High-level international cultural forum at the United Nations with global participants

Original reporting: First-hand observation of speeches, seminars, and cultural activities

Global relevance: Showcases cultural diplomacy, international heritage, and UN-related cultural initiatives

Reporter credentials: Professional media coverage with on-site interviews and verified information

时代广场全球直播间 | 联合国报道

第二届全球妈祖文化论坛在纽约联合国总部圆满举行

纽约联合国总部 — 2024年10月18日

10月18日，第二届全球妈祖文化论坛在纽约联合国总部隆重举行，来自美国、加拿大、秘鲁及中国福建、江西、山东等地的百余位妈祖信仰者和各界嘉宾齐聚一堂，共同探讨妈祖文化在全球范围内的传承与发展。

庆祝全球文化遗产

自2009年妈祖信俗被列入联合国教科文组织“人类非物质文化遗产代表作名录”以来，妈祖文化传播至全球51个国家和地区，全球已有超过10,000座妈祖庙宇，信众超过3亿。妈祖文化不仅是华人社会的精神纽带，也成为全球文化多样性的重要组成部分。其核心价值——立德、行善、大爱——有助于推动世界和平与跨文化交流。

妈祖作为海神，体现了慈悲、保护与和谐的理念，这些价值观与联合国的使命深度契合。本次论坛不仅庆祝跨越数百年的文化遗产，更强调妈祖精神在当今世界的现实意义：弥合国与国之间的差距、促进相互理解、激励全球合作。

“在妈祖精神的指引下，我们应共同努力建设一个更加慈悲、和谐、可持续的世界。”
——论坛主办方

论坛亮点与活动

本次论坛由美国妈祖基金会与世界妈祖文化交流研究总会联合主办，湄洲妈祖祖庙董事会担任指导单位。主要活动包括：

主旨演讲：湄洲妈祖祖庙董事会董事长林金赞发表致辞

学术研讨：专家与学者围绕妈祖文化的保护与全球传播展开深入讨论

文化交流与互动：来自不同国家和地区的嘉宾分享各自实践经验与成就

纪念活动：赠送纪念品、颁发证书，以表彰对妈祖文化传承的贡献

论坛充分展示了妈祖文化在全球和平合作与跨文化交流中的重要作用，同时彰显了中华文化在新时代的国际影响力与包容力。

国际文化交流意义

作为联合国举办的活动，本次论坛为全球领导者、学者和文化使者提供了平台，推动国际文化合作。论坛以大爱与和平为核心理念，展现了传统文化在全球文化外交中的价值，为国际社会提供了新的合作模式和文化交流示范。

请点击图片或链接看视频记录报道

javascript:void(0);/*1729488332129*/