International Youth Forum on Creativity and Heritage along the Silk Roads:
Youth Engagement in Promoting Cultural Diversity and Inclusion
26-30 June 2023, Changsha & Nanjing, China
The International Youth Forum (IYF) on Creativity and Heritage along the Silk Roads is an annual forum initiated by UNESCO, the National Commission of the People’s Republic of China for UNESCO, local governments in China, and the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres, and Associations (WFUCA), since 2017. The past Forums have gathered over 600 young participants from 137 countries, creating space for intercultural dialogue among youth from countries especially along the terrestrial and maritime Silk Roads.
The 2023 IYF was organized jointly by UNESCO, the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO, Changsha and Nanjing Municipal Governments, and WFUCA from 26 to 30 June in the cities of Changsha and Nanjing. The 2023 IYF, themed Youth Engagement in Promoting Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, attracted 95 outstanding young representatives (45 females) from 61 countries. The event was supported by the Social and Human Sciences Sector of UNESCO Headquarter and served as a gathering for talented young representatives from around the world, demonstrating the power of youth and inspired their vision and responsibility in cross-cultural exchanges and mutual learning in a globalized world.
Thanks to the seamless coordination and on-ground support provided by local organizers, Chinese National Commission for UNESCO, Changsha and Nanjing Municipal Governments, this 2023 IYF was a great success with major outcomes as follow:
1. The youth participants were empowered and equipped with relevant knowledge and skills in cultural diversity, inclusion and cultural heritage;2. A cadre of inspired youth participants were exposed to Chinese culture, traditions and history;3. The youth participants were determined to carry out follow-up action in their countries;4. A strong network was informally established to facilitate more intercultural dialogues among the participating youth;5. Youth voices and their recommendations reach UNESCO officials, city officials of Changsha and Nanjing, experts and professors of relevant fields through their participation in high-level events;6. The representatives from the Permanent Delegation from Namibia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Senegal and Egypt to UNESCO contributed to the High-Level discussion and were impressed with the level of organization by Changsha and Nanjing Municipal Government.