In his opening remarks, Meng Liang, founder and chair of the Mencius Foundation, said that the event was held in Changsha because of the city's rich TCM heritage.

According to Meng, the ancient medical text Wushi'er Bingfang, or Recipes for Fifty-Two Ailments, and the Daoyin Tu, a painted scroll depicting a series of therapeutic exercises, were unearthed from the Mawangdui Han Tombs, which date back more than 2,200 years.

"The two artifacts demonstrate that TCM is based on the philosophy of unity between man and nature," he commented.

Meng also highlighted the power of female narrative embodied by Nyushu, a gender-specific writing system created by and for women, which can be traced to Jiangyong county, Hunan province, and the ingenuity and resilience of the women practicing Hunan-style Xiang embroidery.

Another two keynote speakers—Irina Bokova, former director-general of UNESCO and Jenny Shipley, former prime minister of New Zealand—shared their insights on the Chinese household story of Mencius' mother who moved their home three times to provide the ideal environment for her son, who grew up to be "the second sage" after Confucius.

Bokova said the three moves by Mencius' mother show that education begins at home. Teachers and parents today must, like the sage's mother, create environments that support character growth, not just in knowledge.

She argued that Mencius' educational philosophy that emphasizes moral cultivation aligns with the growing interest in character education, values-based curricula, and the global citizenship education promoted by UNESCO which aims to develop individuals, living in an emerging world community, who are ethically grounded, compassionate, and committed to creating a better world for all.

Shipley observed that the stories of Mencius' upbringing and the decisions made by his mother inspire modern individuals to thoughtfully choose their living environment. They should stay focused on their goals and intentions, despite distractions, and make careful decisions as adults, as these choices will have a lasting impact on their children's futures.

Shipley, New Zealand's first female prime minister (1997-1999), found the ancient story deeply resonant as it encouraged women to embrace their roles both as mothers and leaders in their personal and professional lives.

"We are all at our best when we contribute to society by bringing our unique skills, experience, and future hopes and aspirations that women and men bring to the decision-making table together," she advocated.

From Chinadaily.com.cn