Shanghai, China, Jan 15 2025 –

Dialogue creates life.

Dialogue fosters changes.

Dialogue is the path from middle ground to mutual understanding.

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The world today is undergoing drastic changes.

The geopolitical landscape and global governance framework constructed in the 20th century are facing unprecedented impacts: ethnic conflicts, the rise of multiculturalism, the fragmentation of shared values, and the growing disparity between rich and poor are emerging globally. Concurrently, international crime and pandemics persist in challenging the limits of power and governance within nation-states. International relations, national governance structures, and the governance of the international community are all undergoing significant transformation. The uncertainties arising from these changes will certainly hinder efforts to address the pressing climate crisis and promote sustainable development for global society at this time.

China’s broader context reveals a distinctive approach to climate governance and the advancement of green development, characterized by a more autonomous and coordinated policy framework. Nevertheless, over the past several decades, certain development models dedicated solely to capital increment have fostered and entrenched short-termist values across many aspects of China’s economy and society. This prevailing mindset often leads to the neglect of ecological protection and green development initiatives, making it challenging to realize significant structural changes within both societal and economic spheres, despite robust policy advocacy.

In an era characterized by divisive and myopic perspectives, the importance of dialogue is increasingly paramount.

In early December 2024, UNESCO inaugurated the International Decade of Science for Sustainable Development (IDSSD) (2024-2033), with the objective of leveraging the capabilities of all scientific disciplines to drive a sustainable transformation of our societies, economies, and environments. Under this initiative, TMRW is launching Audacity! Forum, in partnership with Earth-Humanity Coalition (EHC), to build global Actor-networks of climate action. The EHC is a global bottom-up network to connect and mobilize all kinds of organizations worldwide in support of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD). Its main objectives are to foster transformative action at multiple scales and leverage existing efforts, with dynamism, agility, and effectiveness.

The Audacity! Forum aspires to establish a dialogic platform that incorporates both Chinese and global viewpoints, merging ecological thinking and climate practices from China and abroad. Through comprehensive transdisciplinary, cross-industry, and intergenerational dialogues, the Audacity! Forum intends to foster mutual understanding and promote organizational evolution, co-creation, and systemic change within the Actor-network in climate action and sustainable development.

As ancient Chinese philosopher once said that “Boldness ought to be grand, yet the heart should remain humble; wisdom must be all-encompassing, while actions should be decisive.” As a young dialogic platform, Audacity! aims to ignite the inherent courage within individuals and foster a spirit of audacity among the younger generations. In confronting the environmental crisis, it is imperative that we dismantle the divisions that exist between regions, races, generations, disciplines, and industries. Only through such radical evolution can we ensure that our actions resonate and ultimately turn the tide on the ecological crisis.

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Founding Organization: TMRW

TMRW is a climate change and sustainability-focused non-profit organisation based in Shanghai, China. TMRW deconstructs the narrative of sustainability in governance, business, and civic activities, seeking to document, promote and empower its development. At the moment, TMRW has a journalistic arm that covers deep reporting on climate, and a project arm that generates dialogues around sustainability and its incarnations within all aspects in business, policy and innovation.

Founding Partner: Earth-Humanity Coalition (EHC)

EHC is a platform created by a number of scientific institutions and civil society organisations around the world under UNESCO’s IDSSD initiative to facilitate the co-design of interdisciplinary research and knowledge production that can serve sustainable development. As a key implementer of IDSSD, EHC will build thousands of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary centres around the world over the next few years to explore new cultures of well-being based on science and traditional wisdom for sustainable development of the planet and human societies. EHC currently has nearly 50 member organisations including the World Academy of Art and Science, the International Mathematical Union, the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology, the French Academy of Sciences, AwhiWorld Innovation Lab, the Club of Rome, and others.

About UNESCO IDSSD

On 2 December 2024, UNESCO officially launched the International Decade of Science for Sustainable Development, a globally coordinated initiative to harness the power of all sciences — basic, applied, social and human sciences — to drive sustainable change in our societies, economies and environments. This decade will provide humanity with a unique opportunity to realise the full potential of science to achieve sustainable development and ensure a secure and prosperous future for all. Please see UNESCO’s press release for more information.