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Jan Oberg

Two Conferences in Shanghai: Reflections on Discourse, Dialogue, and the Non-Studies of Peace

In October 2025, I attended two major academic conferences in Shanghai—both by invitation, and, curiously, as the only scholar from Scandinavia. That absence felt unjust to the more experienced Nordic experts in China studies who deserve a seat at such global forums.

What unfolded was a journey through two distinct but interwoven events—each offering a lens into China’s intellectual landscape and its evolving role in the world.

The 2nd World Conference on China Studies

The first event, the 2nd World Conference on China Studies, brought together over 500 scholars from 50 countries under the theme “Historical and Contemporary China: A Global Perspective.” I participated in the sub-forum titled “China in Global Context: Continuity and Innovation of Civilisation.”

It was a masterfully orchestrated gathering…

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Peace & future researcher + ‌Art Photographer

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Archive 1986 - 2017
PressInfo #193 – Give Burundi’s Peacea Chance
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Glenn Diesen becomes a TFF Associate – CV
Associate Editor at Russia in Global Affairs in Moscow. Board member at International Institute for Peace (IPP) in Vienna. 
Board member at Center for Nationalism Studies (CNS) in Sarajevo.
 Editorial Board member at Contemporary World Economy in Moscow.
 EMPLOYMENT University of South-Eastern Norway
 – Professor, April 2020 – ongoing. Russia in Global Affairs
 – Associate Editor Nov 2018 – ongoing. Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia – Professor Aug 2018 – April 2020. Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia
 – Visiting Scholar, Aug 2017 – Aug 2018. Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia – Adjunct Research Fellow Aug 2016 – Aug 2019. 
 Macquarie University (PICT), Sydney, Australia
 – Lecturer/Scholarly Teaching Fellow, Feb 2011 –Dec 2017
. EDUCATION Amsterdam Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands – 
PhD Politics and International Relations (Doctor of Social Sciences) 2010-2014. 

 Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia – 
PhD Politics and International Relations (Doctor of Philosophy) 2010-2014. Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia 
- Master of International...

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