On September 2, 2026, the Institute for Global Public Policy (IGPP) at Fudan University hosted the 5th event of its Global Leadership Series at Guanghua Tower. Featuring a keynote lecture by Massimo Bray, former Italian Minister of Cultural Heritage and Tourism, Director General of the Treccani Institute of the Italian Encyclopedia, and Honorary Professor of Fudan University, the event was held as part of IGPP’s 2026 Opening Ceremony. It was chaired by Yijia Jing, Dean of IGPP. During his visit to Fudan, Professor Bray and his delegation met with Fudan University President Li Jin at the Alumni House. President Jin welcomed Professor Bray and presented him with the certificate of appointment as Honorary Professor of Fudan University.

Professor Bray currently serves as Director General of the Treccani Institute and Italian Coordinator of the China–Italy Cultural Cooperation Mechanism. He previously served as Italy’s Minister of Cultural Heritage and Tourism. In recognition of his outstanding professional achievements and important contributions to China–Italy cultural exchange, Fudan University appointed him an Honorary Professor in April 2026.

In his keynote lecture, Professor Bray discussed the role of cultural diplomacy in global governance. He noted that, as the global geopolitical landscape undergoes rapid transformation and international conflicts continue to intensify, culture can serve as an important force for promoting international understanding, building mutual trust, and advancing peace. Reflecting on the evolution of diplomacy, Professor Bray argued that modern diplomacy encompasses not only political negotiation and institutional cooperation, but also cultural exchange, the dissemination of languages, and mutual learning among civilizations. He emphasized that cultural diplomacy is an important means of strengthening mutual understanding between countries and promoting long-term cooperation.

Professor Bray further introduced recent European approaches to using culture as a strategic resource for social transformation and global governance, drawing on the joint declaration associated with the recently released Culture Compass for Europe. He emphasized that artistic freedom, cultural diversity, cultural heritage preservation, cultural education, and human-centered artificial intelligence development have emerged as important priorities in European cultural policy. In the face of division and confrontation in global governance, Professor Bray argued that cultural diplomacy can transcend the binary distinction between “us” and “them.” By drawing on shared historical memories, promoting mutual learning among civilizations, and strengthening people-to-people exchanges, cultural diplomacy can open new avenues for creating a more inclusive and peaceful environment for international cooperation.

Drawing on his extensive experience in China–Italy cultural exchange, Professor Bray introduced recent cooperative projects between the two countries in areas including museum exhibitions, cultural heritage preservation, and academic publishing. He also called for further cooperation to jointly develop new models of people-to-people exchange centered on respect, dialogue, and peace.

During the interactive session, faculty members and students raised questions about how cultural diplomacy can move beyond symbolic exchanges to become a meaningful instrument of global public policy. In response, Professor Bray noted that culture not only preserves history but can also shape shared values and a common public spirit for the future. He emphasized that the enduring value of culture lies in its ability to promote dialogue, build consensus, and foster a sense of community. Dean Jing then presented Professor Bray with a commemorative gift on behalf of IGPP. The event concluded with a group photograph featuring IGPP faculty members and Professor Bray’s delegation.

Since 2025, Fudan University and the Treccani Institute, under Professor Bray’s leadership, have established several important areas of cooperation. The two sides have signed a tripartite MOU with the German-Italian Center for European Dialogue, as well as a bilateral MOU between IGPP and the Treccani Institute. Academic exchange activities were held at Fudan University and in Italy in May and October 2025, respectively. Professor Bray is a distinguished Italian scholar of culture and an accomplished cultural administrator. He has long explored the underlying relationships among human life, politics, international relations, and civilizational development from a cultural perspective. He has consistently championed cultural exchange as a bridge for promoting mutual understanding, building trust, and expanding cooperation among peoples around the world. Through his work, he has made important contributions to comparative research on China–Italy cultural relations and to cultural exchange between the two countries.

The delegation also included Francesco D’Arelli, former Director of the Italian Cultural Institute of Shanghai; Davide Bellomo, an Italian Member of Parliament; Marta Leonori, Head of the Management Division of the Treccani Institute; and Wei He, Interpreter and Consultant for Treccani in China.