"Participants will discuss ways to protect human dignity and avoid wars and disasters, so as to create a peaceful world," said Ou Minxing, director of the UNESCO Beijing Office.

    There are 718 million youths in Asia, and they are important for building peace in Asia, she added.
     
     Recommendations from the forum will be presented to regional leaders attending the Asian Civilizations Dialogue Forum planned for 2017, according to the organizer.

     The three-day event was organized by UNESCO, the National Commission of China to UNESCO, and Perfect World, a private company.