A forum aimed at bringing together innovative minds and aspiring leaders to discuss progress and excellence in governance was held in Athens on Tuesday.

The main theme of the nonprofit think tank group Global Thinkers Forum of this year was 'Leadership and Collaboration for Success'.

The event, joined by H.E. the High Representative of UN Alliance of Civilizations Dr Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, celebrated personalities who create positive change by delivering innovative answers to some of the world's key challenges in government, business, technology, society and the Arts.

Among the guests was Lifetime Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Institute for Advanced Humanistic Studies at Beijing University, Tu Weiming who was honored with the Excellence in Cultural Understanding.

Professor Tu, who has been appointed as a member of the United Nations' "Group of Eminent Persons" and UNESCO to facilitate the "Dialogue among Civilizations" pointed out the importance of dialogue in leadership.

"I am very pleased and honored to receive this award on cultural understanding. My conception is that dialogue is based upon the ability to listen, because confronting someone who is radical different may broaden our own horizon and our self understanding and appreciation. Dialogue should never be used as a method to worship, or simply to make a statement, but to listen to others through communicating, learning and living", professor Tu told Xinhua.

Given the current economical and social circumstances globally, the main message of the forum was that leadership has to stay in touch with its human capital and the challenges of a world that is constantly changing.

Daniel Fung, Senior counsel Des Voeux Chambers, highlighted how collaboration plays a significant role to a leader, as it helps the leader realize that an individual cannot change the course of history or make whatever he or she thinks is right.

"The only way to move forward, to change for the better is to have a support, a help, a collaboration of others, in other words of your society or maybe the international community", Mr. Fung told Xinhua.

The Global Thinkers Forum is an international gathering of successful leaders from all over the world who meet to discuss improvements in leadership and achieve positive change. Endi

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