On December 15, online activities of 2022 International Youth Forum on Creativity and Heritage along the Silk Roads were co-held by UNESCO, Chinese Commission for UNESCO, People's Government of Changsha and People's Government of Nanjing. Zheng Jianxin, deputy secretary of the CPC Changsha Municipal Committee and mayor of Changsha delivered a video message.
Themed on “Youth Creativity to Promote Intercultural Dialogue and Tackle Global Challenges”, the online forum aims at promoting the exchanges and interactions among all youth from the world and guiding them to follow the trend of times and shoulder the responsibilities, thus contributing for the global sustainable development. Heritage experts from countries along the silk roads, experts from countries on the maritime silk road, experts of UNESCO in frameworks for promoting intercultural dialogue and experts in digital inclusion were invited to give keynote speeches. In the venue of Malanshan Video Cultural and Creative Industrial Park, 23 young representatives from BRI countries and international youth convened dialogues on the topics of “Expecting 2030 - Challenges and Opportunities for the Global Youth” and "The Role of Media Arts in Promoting Intercultural Dialogue and Creating a Better Future".
In the video message, Zheng pointed out that, as an important city of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Changsha is a poetic and ideal place for the young people from both near and far. In the recent years, Changsha has endeavored to deeply integrate itself in BRI construction, participate in UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) and carry out the Changsha Initiative. We successfully organized a number of cultural events for international exchanges such as the International Youth Forum on Creativity and Heritage along the Silk Roads, "Media Arts on Campus" Campaign, and International Media Art Residency Program. The forum and the International Media Art Residency Program attracted more and more young people from the BRI countries to Changsha. By exchanging ideas with people from different countries and sharing their experience in Changsha when they go back home, they have long become a bridge for youth cultural exchanges and mutual learning.
“Cultures integrate in exchanges and progress in return. Youth is the future of development. I hope you all can respect the diversity of world cultures and make joint efforts to realize cultural exchanges and mutual learning regardless of cultural barriers and conflicts, achieve cultural coexistence while abandoning cultural superiority, and tackle global challenges altogether. Changsha is willing as always, to work with UNESCO and Chinese Commission for UNESCO to well organize the relevant activities and provide platform and assistance in interconnection, cultural exchanges, and innovation and entrepreneurship for the global youth. I hope we can work together and forge ahead to build a more open and inclusive world.” Zheng added.