Global Challenges and Governance: We Youth Make Our Voices Heard!
DATE： 2024-10-25
From October 18th to 20th, the 2nd Tongzhou Global Development Forum was held at the cultural landmarks of the Beijing Sub-CBD, the Beijing Grand Canal Museum, and the Beijing City Library. More than a thousand guests from nearly 40 countries gathered in Beijing to discuss global development and human civilization.
As part of the Tongzhou Global Development Forum, the 11th Parallel Session themed “Global Challenges and Governance: Policy Strategies from China’s Youth” was held on the afternoon of October 19th at the Staircase Activity Zone of Beijing Grand Canal Museum, and by School of Foreign Languages of Renmin University of China, as well as the Language Center for International Communication and International Competence of Renmin University of China. The forum aimed to ignite the wisdom of youth and discuss global issues. Young teachers and students from Peking University, Renmin University of China, Beijing Foreign Studies University, Capital Normal University, and Yanching Institute of Technology, gathered to engage in heated discussions on global issues, such as inclusive growth, sustainable development, a green future, universal health, and quality education, voicing opinions of Chinese youth on global governance and social development.
Attendees of the 11th Parallel Session included Feng Shizheng, Vice President of Renmin University of China, Yang Yijun, Director of Diplomatic News Desk of Xinhua News Agency, Tang Ying, Director of the Graduate Work Department of Renmin University of China, Wu Qiuxiang, Deputy Secretary of the Youth League Committee of Renmin University of China, Li Zhenyun, Party Committee Secretary of School of Foreign Languages, Li Jiawei, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of School of Foreign Languages, and Tian Lili, Deputy Dean of School of Foreign Languages, as well as Director of Language Center for International Communication and International Competence of Renmin University of China. Besides, the 11th Parallel Session was hosted by Wang Jisheng, second year graduate student of School of Foreign Languages, and Liu Chengjie, junior undergraduate student of School of Foreign Languages.
In his speech at the 11th Parallel Session, Feng Shizheng expressed that Renmin University of China was committed to cultivating the next generation of talents with a strong cultural identity, global vision, and international competitiveness. To this end, the Language Center for International Communication and International Competence was established. In the future, we would continue to support our youth in positive thinking and exploring the world’s most urgent issues, contributing to global governance, and enhancing the world’s understanding of China in the international community.
Tian Lili stated that the Language Center for International Communication and International Competence was dedicated to integrating international competence into foreign languages education, cultivating students’ abilities to think about global issues with interdisciplinary approaches and propose solutions from Chinese youth, while rooted in patriotism, through a systematic teaching and training system.
Yang Yijun gave a keynote speech titled “Communicating China’s Stories Well in a World of Unprecedented Change”. Drawing on his personal experiences, he vividly elaborated on the relationships between China and the world, China’s long history and new era, as well as writing our own life stories well and communicating China’s stories well, inspiring youth in the new era to continuously improve their cross-cultural communication skills and international competence, shouldering the mission of the era.
Li Zhuoqun, junior undergraduate student of School of Foreign Languages, represented the young students of Renmin University of China to launch the report “Global Challenges and Governance: Policy Strategies from China’s Youth”. Yan Chenqi, sophomore undergraduate student of Law School, Li Yanfeng, sophomore undergraduate student of School of International Relations, and He Yichen, sophomore undergraduate student of School of Foreign Language, respectively presented their outstanding achievements. Xing Bo, second year graduate student of School of Foreign Languages, launched field research project achievements “Understanding China, Telling the China’s Stories Across Academic Disciplines in Foreign Languages”. Zhao Xiao, second year graduate student of School of Foreign Languages, shared his internship experiences in international organizations.
The 11th Parallel Session was separated into two youth forums: “International Competence Literacy” and “Understanding China, Telling the China’s Stories Across Academic Disciplines in Foreign Languages”.
The “International Competence Literacy” forum was held at the Staircase Activity Zone of Beijing Grand Canal Museum, moderated by faculty members from College English Department of School of Foreign Languages and Language Center for International Communication and International Competence, including Xu Hongxia, Yang Binyu, Zhang Yurong, Yang Yang, Lin Hui, and Feng Ruimin, with comments from foreign teachers Duane Duguid, Rebecca Duguid, and Steven Tice from Renmin University of China, and Diana Tice from Beijing Foreign Studies University.
It was student-centered interactive activities that were the highlight of the “International Competence Literacy”. More than two hundred teachers and students from Renmin University of China, Peking University, Capital Normal University, and Yanching Institute of Technology participated in this forum. The event set up six interactive groups, with twelve practice groups from Renmin University of China presenting their thoughts on global issues through proposal poster displays, focusing on topics such as “Sustainable Development and Smart Communities”, “Green Future and Climate Action”, “Universal Health and Elderly Support”, “Quality Education and Global Development”, and “Inclusive Growth and Social Equality”. Student representatives from various universities engaged in discussions.
Question-and-answer Session among Students
Role-playing Discussions
Groups’ Summaries
Foreign Teachers’ Reviews
Teachers’ Summaries
Following the poster presentations, these practice groups, led by their instructors, engaged in more discussions based on the proposal contents, including question-and-answer session among students, role-playing discussions, groups’ summaries of discussions, foreign teachers’ reviews, etc. The role-playing discussions required students to assess the feasibility of the proposals from the perspectives of different stakeholders involved, such as policymakers, technology developers, NGOs, and businesses. And then they predicted potential issues and proposed improvement plans. It was a vital way to stimulate their participation and showcase their independent thinking and innovative capabilities on global issues through multi-dimensional perspectives and innovative activity formats.
The following guests provided summary reviews of the 1st Youth Forum: Duane Duguid, foreign faculty member at College English Department of School of Foreign Languages, and at Language Center for International Communication and International Competence of Renmin University of China, Zhang Xiufeng, Director of College English Teaching and Research Department of Capital Normal University, and Dean of Global Competence Development Research Institute, Liu Nana, Deputy Dean of School of Humanities and Education of Yanching Institute of Technology, and Wang Hong, Director of College English Department of School of Foreign Languages, and Executive Director of Language Center for International Communication and International Competence of Renmin University of China.
The “Understanding China, Telling the China’s Stories Across Academic Disciplines in Foreign Languages International Competence Literacy” forum was held in the Yanhua Hall of Beijing City Library. The event was hosted by Huang Zihan, junior undergraduate student of School of Foreign Languages. Tang Ying, Wu Quxiang, Li Zhenyun, Li Jiawei, as well as Xu Yin from the German Department, Jiang Yan from the English Department, and Wang Zhichao from the French Department attended the forum as commentators.
Based on the “Understanding China” project, the School of Foreign Languages had organized a series of talent cultivation activities that had attracted more than 2,000 undergraduates and graduate students from various schools. This year, having focused on the theme of “Telling the China’s Stories Across Academic Disciplines in Foreign Languages”, we organized eight mixed groups of graduate and undergraduate students from different schools such as the School of Foreign Languages, the School of International Studies, the School of Economics, etc., to complete academic scripts in eight disciplines.
The outcomes presented at this forum were perfect presentation of foreign languages plus disciplines, demonstrating the abilities and talents of contemporary undergraduates in presenting Chinese academics, stories, and the charm of Chinese aesthetics in foreign languages.
At the forum, practice groups presented their processes and outcomes of “Telling the China’s Stories across Academic Disciplines in Foreign Languages” by using “multi-languages plus micro-documentaries”, focusing on eight disciplinary themes including history, law, philosophy, education, etc., combined with field research in seven regions such as Xi'an, Changchun, Hangzhou, Shiyan, etc.
Wu Quxiang and Xu Yin provided comments on presentations of practice groups based on their understanding of the “Pioneer Social Practice” system and their interdisciplinary academic experiences.
Li Zhenyun praised the efforts and innovative spirit of the practice groups, encouraging youth to maintain their enthusiasm and pursuit and persist in telling China’s stories well in foreign languages. Young people were supposed to continuously cultivate patriotism, broaden their international perspectives, and enhance cross-cultural communication skills, striving to become interdisciplinary talents with international communication capabilities and international competence. They should contribute to building a community of global development and creating a new era for humanity.
Unlike other Parallel Sessions, the 11th Parallel Session focused on youth initiatives, promoting youth leadership and innovation-driven approaches. It stood out for its interactive displays and collisions of ideas, showcasing the innovative thinking and global vision of Chinese youth. This forum not only provided a platform for academic exchange but also inspired more young people to take on the responsibility of promoting global development and to contribute their wisdom and strength to building a community with a shared future for mankind.