GYLD Annual Forum 2024 successfully held

The 2024 Global Young Leaders Dialogue (GYLD) Annual Forum, hosted by the Center for China and Globalization (CCG) with support from the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies (ACCWS), is successfully concluded on December 5 in Beijing. With the theme “Forward Thinking the Way Forward,” the forum brought together global youth leaders to foster cross-cultural dialogue and collectively address critical global affairs and challenges young people are facing.

150 participants including senior experts, young professionals, media from over 50 countries like United States, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Indonesia, Turkey, Japan, South Korea, Zimbabwe, Honduras attend the forum. Near 20 young professionals come to China for the first time.

 

In her opening remarks, Dr. Mabel Lu MIAO, Secretary General of the GYLD program and Co-founder and Secretary General of CCG, warmly welcomed the attendees. She highlighted how GYLD has evolved over three years into a vital platform for cross-sectoral exchange among global youth leaders, offering unique perspectives and opportunities to shape the future.

H.E. Siddharth Chatterjee, UN Resident Coordinator in China, underscored the pivotal role of youth in global governance during his keynote speech, calling for enhanced participation of young people in global governance, especially in promoting 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

Dr. Henry Huiyao Wang, Founder and President of CCG, shared insights on the importance of “forward thinking” for career development and global collaboration. His proposals included convening a UN Peace Summit, establishing a G10 Climate Summit, promoting AI governance, and fosteringmultilateral cooperation in global infrastructure.

Prof. Jingjing Liu, Guoqiang Professor and Principal Investigator at the Institute for AI Industry Research, Tsinghua University, also delivered a thought-provoking speech focused on the impact of AI on the future and youth. She urged young people to seize the opportunities presented by the AI era, which also inspired global young leaders to reflect on AI governance and youth empowerment.

In support of a sustainable future, Global Young Leaders Dialogue Annual Forum 2024 becomes an event achieve carbon neutrality with the carbon reduction efforts of the participants and the carbon offset support from Shanghai Treasure Carbon New Energy Environmental Protection Technology Ltd, whose chairman and CEO, Ms. Susan Weiqing ZHU, presents the carbon neutral certificate to Global Young Leaders Dialogue Annual Forum 2024 represented by Dr. Mabel Lu MIAO.

There are two GYLD Chats in the Annual Forum this year, themed at “From Pact for the Future to Real Action: How Young People Could Lead the Way?” and “Navigating the Development of Young People in the Era of AI”.

The first GYLD Chat drew upon the UN’s Pact for the Future, where young professionals from China, Poland, US, Ireland, South Korea, Japan delved into the critical role of youth in driving global transformation with Prof. FAN Hong, Director of National Image Communication Research Center and Professor of School of Journalism and Communication, Tsinghua University, David Morris, President of 1EarthVillage, and Mr. HUANG Haifeng, CCG Senior Fellow and Co-Chancellor of China Institute for Responsible Management Education and Sustainable Development. All panelists agree that while the Pact outlines visionary goals such as eliminating gender discrimination, promoting cultural diversity, and ensuring equitable education, translating these aspirations into tangible actions demands comprehensive youth engagement and leadership.

The second GYLD Chat focused on the opportunities and challenges young people are facing in the AI era, where young professionals from China, South Korea, Egypt, Spain, Germany dialogue with Prof. David Qingzhong PAN, Executive Dean of Schwarzman College of Tsinghua University and Sihan ZHOU, Assistant Director of Bilibili Public Policy Research Institute to explore how young people could better utilize the potential of AI on education, find jobs and even leisure time. It is worth to mention that a generative AI large language model has also been invited to join the discussion.

Beside the Annual forum, Center for China and Globalization (CCG) also organize many other activities to enrich participants’ experience like a study at Tongzhou District, Beijing’s municipal administrative center. On December 4, they participated in CCG flagship event, the 9th China Global Think Tank Innovation Forum. Some of them are invited to raise insightful questions to senior experts as key listeners.

Many young participants give the feedback that this Forum not only strengthened the voice of youth in global discourse but also showcased China’s openness to fostering international development and collaboration with its diverse participants and forward-thinking agenda setting.