International Youth Forum on Creativity and Heritage along the Silk Roads: Special Dialogue on Youth’s Response to COVID-19 (IYFSD) was held online in the evening of May 20.
The theme of this special dialogue was “Youth’s Response to COVID-19”.
More than 100 youth representatives from 68 countries along the Belt and Road, UNESCO officials and related experts participated in the online meeting.
Youth delegates from different countries actively discussed the topics: "COVID-19 and Youth Actions ", " Creativity, Employment and Entrepreneurship: Challenges and Opportunities for Youth" and “Cooperation, Inclusiveness and Mutual Learning -- Silk Road Spirit in Times of the COVID-19 Pandemic".
Liu Xiaoxi, Youth delegates from Changsha, spoke at IYFSD.
Liu Yihan, Youth delegates from Changsha, introduced the charity project “Desk For Us”which was launched by him and his high school classmates.
In order to implement the spirit of the important instructions of President Xi Jinping on keeping holding the International Youth Forum on Creativity and Heritage along the Silk Roads, International Youth Forum on Creativity and Heritage along the Silk Roads: Special Dialogue on Youth’s Response to COVID-19 (IYFSD) was held online in the evening of May 20. It was jointly held by UNESCO, Chinese National Commission for UNESCO, Changsha Municipal Government, and Nanjing Municipal Government. More than 100 youth representatives from 68 countries along the Belt and Road, UNESCO officials and related experts participated in the online meeting. Zheng Jianxin, deputy secretary of Changsha Municipal Committee, mayor of Changsha, and Secretary of the Party Working Committee of Hunan Xiangjiang New Area, delivered a video message.
The theme of this special dialogue was “Youth’s Response to COVID-19”. The dialogue was the first international conference held by UNESCO among global youth since the COVID-19 outbreak, and also the first international event that relevant Chinese authorities held to show China’s anti-pandemic achievements and bring positive energy into international anti-pandemic efforts since the outbreak. The event highlighted the role and efforts of Changsha and Nanjing, as well as the remarkable results achieved in innovation-driven development.
Qu Xing, Deputy Director-General of UNESCO, and Tian Xuejun, Director of Chinese National Commission for UNESCO and the chairman of the 44th session of the World Heritage Committee, addressed the opening ceremony. Marielza Oliveira, UNESCO Representative and Director of UNESCO Beijing Cluster Office, and Qin Changwei, Secretary-General of the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO, delivered a speech at the closing ceremony. They said that mankind is a community of shared destiny, and only through solidarity and cooperation can we overcome difficulties together. As the most energetic and creative group, global youth have faced challenges, actively acted and participated in the fight against the virus, and contributed their strength through various forms. They hoped that global youth will promote the Silk Road spirit of openness, inclusiveness, solidarity and cooperation, and work together to fight against COVID-19.
Zheng Jianxin said in his speech that Changsha is a cultural city with a long history of more than 3,000 years, and it is also a "city of youth" bursting with innovative energy. In April 2019, UNESCO adopted Changsha Initiative proposed by the youth all over the world. As the launching place of this initiative, Changsha is stepping up the implementation of C + C Global Youth Innovation Partnership Plan to promote the communication, cultural exchanges, and innovation and entrepreneurship between global youth. In this global fight against COVID-19, the kind and persevering people in Changsha, together with the people around the world, will keep helping each other and protecting the health and peace of mankind. The epidemic will finally be over, the dawn is coming, and victory will surely belong to us. He is looking forward to see more friends feeling the vitality, creativity and beauty of Changsha.
Youth delegates from Changsha: Liu Xiaoxi, Liu Yihan, Lin Chenchen, Li Meixuan, Yang Xinru, and Liu Huaizhi, along with young people from different countries, discussed the topics "COVID-19 and Youth Actions ", " Creativity, Employment and Entrepreneurship: Challenges and Opportunities for Youth" and “Cooperation, Inclusiveness and Mutual Learning -- Silk Road Spirit in Times of the COVID-19 Pandemic". The global youth shared their experiences of participating in the fight against the epidemic, encouraged each other to be confident, and highly agreed with the concept of building a community of common destiny for mankind. They also appreciated China for its contribution in fighting against the pandemic, and opposed racism, xenophobia, irresponsibility and unjustified accusations. They believed that under the current circumstances, there is an urgent need to strengthen cooperation and work together to fight COVID-19.
International Youth Forum on Creativity and Heritage along the Silk Roads is initiated by UNESCO, Chinese National Commission for UNESCO and Changsha municipal government. The forum upholds the concept of "inheriting heritage and inspiring innovation" and provides a platform of exchanges and mutual learning for young people from countries along the Belt and Road. Since the first forum was held in April 2017, many youth delegates from various countries have come to China to experience its ancient and modern charm. They have talked about the friendship and cooperation around the Belt and Road initiative, and have promoted cultural exchanges among different civilizations.