In April 2025, Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim returned to China to explore ecological civilization. They traveled to Hong Kong, Zhuhai, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Chengdu, and Beijing.
Trip Overview
Hong Kong & Zhuhai – April 5-12
- April 7 – Mary Evelyn and John gave a talk on “The Integral Ecology of Teilhard de Chardin and Thomas Berry” at the Chinese University of Hong Kong celebrating the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’. It was sponsored by the Centre for Catholic Studies.
- April 8 – They delivered talks at Hong Kong Baptist University on “Ecological Civilization and Traditional Chinese Thought” (Mary Evelyn) and “Ethnic Lifeways and Cosmic Vision” (John). This was sponsored by the Jao Tsung-I Academy of Sinology.
- April 9 - They gave a talk at United International College on “Ecological Civilization and Traditional Chinese Thought.”
- April 10 - They gave talks at Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai. Mary Evelyn spoke about “Ecological Civilization and Traditional Chinese Thought,” and John spoke about “Ethnic Lifeways and Cosmovisions.”
- April 11 - They talked at Sun Yat Sen University, Zhuhai on “Ecological Civilization and Traditional Chinese Thought.”
Shanghai – April 13-17
- They did three showings of the Journey of the Universe film—two with NYU Shanghai and one at Duke Kunshan.
Hangzhou – April 17-23
- April 17-19 - They attended the “15th International Conference on the
New Haven School of Jurisprudence and International Law” at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou. John presented his talk on “Ethnic Lifeways and Cosmovisions” adapted to a discussion of Indigenous customary law; and Mary Evelyn spoke on “Ecological Civilization and Traditional Chinese Thought,” emphasizing Confucian contributions to ecological issues. - April 20-23 - They showed Journey of the Universe to an audience of 150 people organized by the Liangzhu Cultural Village, which is an ecocommunity within the city of Liangzhu. Watch recordings of the Journey discussion session (Part I and Part II). The screening was held in an award-winning building called “The Roof.” Various programs were held at The Roof, including an evening of storytelling with John and a morning panel with local leaders discussing the challenges and opportunities of ecocommunities that are growing across China. Watch recordings of Mary Evelyn's discussion of Confucianism at the “Eco-community and Transformation of Human Civilization” Panel (Part I and Part II).
- April 21 - John gave a presentation on “Ethnic Lifeways, Cosmovisions, and Giving Worlds” to the staff and director of the Liangzhu Museum.
Chengdu – April 24-27
- They visited the Xilai EcoCommunity.
Beijing – April 28- May 2
- April 28 - “Bridging Wisdom Traditions with Ecological Renewal” held at Yale Center Beijing. Watch the recording.
- April 28 - They participated in the UNESCO launch event at Peking University for “Ancient Wisdom for Modern Challenges.”
- April 29 - They did a filmed interview on Ecological Civilization and Confucian thought with the television station CGTN. Watch the interview.
- April 29 - Mary Evelyn gave a talk on Ecological Civilization at the China People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC).
- April 30 – They participated in the first conference dedicated to exploring Thomas Berry’s thought. It was organized by Beijing Normal University.
Watch videos from their trip.
View the photo gallery.
Read about their travels in these newsletters:
Beijing: April 28 - May 2, 2025
Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim
Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology Newsletter
May 22, 2025
Antiquity Meets Modernity: April 17-23, 2025Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim
Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology Newsletter
May 9, 2025
Reflections from the Vibrant and Resilient City of Shanghai: April 13-17, 2025Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim
Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology Newsletter
April 24, 2025
Reflections from China: April 5-12, 2025Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim
Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology Newsletter
April 14, 2025
Exploring Ecological Civilization in ChinaMary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim
Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology Newsletter
April 7, 2025