On September 26, 2020, The 2020 International Forum on Green Development and Urban Governance, sponsored by Sichuan University and hosted by School of Public Administration of Sichuan University through VooV Meeting and Zoom, was held in Chengdu. Prof. Yong Guo, deputy secretary of Party Committee of Sichuan University, Dr. Ning Fang, secretary of Party Committee of Institute of Political Science of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Prof. Mingjun Zhang, vice president of East China University of Political Science and Law, Prof. Mark Robbins, former head of Department of Public Policy of University of Connecticut, and Prof. Qilin Fu, director of Social Science Administration Office of Sichuan University, attended the opening ceremony. More than 100 experts and scholars, including from Pennsylvania State University, Chinese University of Hong Kong, City University of Hong Kong, Tsinghua University, Renmin University of China, Fudan University, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Nanjing University, Nankai University, Beijing Normal University, Shandong University, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, as well as other domestic and foreign recognized universities, research institutions and periodical press, attended the forum. The opening ceremony was presided by Prof. Yungui Shi, dean of School of Public Administration of Sichuan University.
Prof. Yong Guo, deputy secretary of Party Committee of Sichuan University, extended a warm welcome to all guests present on behalf of Sichuan University. He pointed out that, in the progress of building a world-class university, Sichuan University had fully implemented new development concepts with green development as its main content throughout the whole process of talent training, scientific research and social service. He indicated that, as an important part of the new development concepts, green development had crucial theoretical values and practical significance in effectively dealing with new urban governance challenges and promoting high-quality development of the city. In recent years, teachers and students from School of Public Administration, centered on green development, urban governance, environmental protection, have achieved some useful explorations in improving people's livelihood through green governance, taking "park city" as a breakthrough. It was believed that this international forum would provide more intellectual support and decision-making reference for China's green development and urban governance in the future, Prof. Guo expressed.
Dr. Ning Fang, secretary of Party Committee of Institute of Political Science of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, pointed out that, facing severe challenges of COVID-19, green development is of more practical significance in new era. He expected that, by taking advantage of this form, experts and scholars at home and abroad could conduct in-depth discussions on green development and urban governance, an important topic of common concern, and believed that all participants would benefit a lot from this forum.
Prof. Mark Robbins, former head of Department of Public Policy of University of Connecticut, implied that the United States was severely affected by COVID-19. In such a time of crisis, international cooperation to cope with the threat of global epidemic is particularly important. Against this special historical background, urban governance, as an important project, especially needs ideas collision and exchange to solve current threats and challenges, Prof. Robbins suggested.
Prof. Mingjun Zhang, vice president of East China University of Political Science and Law, congratulated School of Public Administration of Sichuan University on shaping a clear research direction characterized by green development, and believed that this forum was of great value and profound significance. Prof. Zhang said many environmental issues and survival challenges confronted by human society, including COVID-19, called us to discover the internal and external causes of problems, take initiative and effective measures, embark on a path of green development, and contribute wisdom and strength to community of shared future for mankind. Prof. Zhang looked forward to fruitful results in the forum.
Prof. Xiaoping Jiang, secretary of Party Committee of School of Public Administration of Sichuan University, remarked that our common purpose was to discuss the "Chinese path and Chinese discourse system" of green development and urban governance. Green development is an important indicator of high-quality economic and social development, and urban governance is also a vital part of national governance. Prof. Jiang expected that this forum, focused on "how to build the basic theoretical system and path of urban green development", would explore how urban governance reflected China's position, Chinese discourse and Chinese wisdom, and enriched the discipline and knowledge system of China’s public administration at the same time.
The 2020 International Forum on Green Development and Urban Governance consists of 9 panels, namely International Experience on Green Development, Green Development and Environmental Governance, Urban Development and Urban Governance, Green Development and Green Governance, Green Development and Social Governance, Rural Revitalization and Public Services, Community Development and Grassroots Governance, as well as two outstanding doctors’ panels. The forum aims to face the current difficulties and challenges in green development and urban governance, to strengthen international exchanges and cooperation in the field of green development and urban governance, to further enhance the quality of research on green development and urban governance, and to comprehensively promote the progress of beautiful China construction and a community with a shared future for mankind.
