Co-Chair of InterAction Council Visits ZJU

On May 9, a delegation led by Bertie Ahern, Co-Chair of the InterAction Council and former Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland, paid a visit to Zhejiang  University and held a friendly talk with President Wu Zhaohui.

Wu Zhaohui briefed distinguished guests on the history, departments and programs of ZJU. He highlighted that ZJU laid tremendous stress on inter-disciplinary research and globalization. In the evolving currents of globalization and informatization, there have been more exchanges between different nations and cultures and NGOs has played an increasingly prominent role in resolving key issues in peace, security and state governance. He looked forward to intimate cooperation with the InterAction Council in various fields.

Bertie Ahern extended his congratulations on the remarkable achievements that ZJU has achieved in research and teaching. He talked about the overview of the InterAction Council and its feats in the domains of climate change, international relationships and anti-terrorism. He hoped to enter into close partnership with our university in such cross-disciplinary fields as environmental protection and global governance.

Also on this trip was Thomas Axworthy, Secretary-General of the InterAction Council and former Senior Policy Advisor and Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. He delivered a speech entitled “Speaking truth to and with power”.

The InterAction Council was established in 1983 as an independent international organization to mobilize the experience, energy and international contacts of a group of statesmen who have held the highest office in their own countries. Council members jointly develop recommendations and practical solutions for the political, economic and social problems confronting humanity. The Council is unique in bringing together on a regular basis, and in an informal setting, more than thirty former heads of state or government. The Council aims at fostering international co-operation and action in three priority areas: peace and security, world economic revitalization and universal ethical standards.