The 2024 International Youth Forum on Creativity and Heritage along the Silk Roads was successfully held in Nanjing
Sep 28, 2024
From September 25 to 28, the 2024 International Youth Forum on Creativity and Heritage along the Silk Roads was successfully held in Nanjing, co-hosted by UNESCO, the National Commission of the People’s Republic of China for UNESCO, the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centers and Associations, the Nanjing Municipal People's Government, and the Changsha Municipal People's Government.
At the closing ceremony, Gabriela Ramos, Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences of UNESCO, Ge Siying, Deputy Secretary-General of Chinese National Commission for UNESCO, Sunjoo Lee, President of Asia Pacific Federation of Clubs and Associations for UNESCO, and Chen Zhichang, Mayor of Nanjing People's Municipal Government, delivered speeches. Other attendees included Chen Yong, Standing Committee of the CPC Nanjing Municipal Committee, Minister of Publicity Department of the CPC Nanjing Municipal Committee, Sun Baijun, Deputy Mayor of Nanjing Municipal Government, and Dai Xinghai, Deputy Secretary-General of the Nanjing Municipal Government.
This forum took place from September 22 to 28 in Nanjing and Changsha. Sixty youth representatives from 53 countries engaged in discussions under the theme "Reimagining Our Heritage: Stories of Resilience and Change". During the forum, representatives from various countries explored the contemporary value and future development of cultural heritage through thematic studies, special sharing sessions, and roundtable discussions.
In a video message, Gabriela Ramos stated, "the Silk Roads were not merely trade routes but vital channels for exchanging ideas, art and knowledge. The innovative approaches to heritage preservation and creative expression discussed at this forum will help us inherit the cultural exchange legacy brought by the Silk Road, creating a bridge that connects the past, present, and future."
Ge Siying emphasized, "Youth are the most vibrant, adventurous, and least conservative group in society. They are the key force in protecting world heritage and addressing global challenges; they are also the most open, inclusive, and active cultural ambassadors of the 'Belt and Road' initiative. They are the inheritors and promoters of the spirit of the Silk Road and a new driving force for promoting the exchange of civilizations. We hope that the youth representatives will bring back their experiences and friendships from the youth forum to their respective countries, encouraging more young people and the peoples of their countries to deepen mutual understanding, respect, and appreciation. This will further advance cultural affinity, economic connectivity, and collaborative development among countries along the route, contributing to the stable and sustainable high-quality construction of the 'Belt and Road' initiative."
Sunjoo Lee, President of Asia Pacific Federation of Clubs and Associations for UNESCO, stated, "Nanjing has always been a center for cultural exchange and innovation. As a key city along the ancient Silk Road, Nanjing symbolizes the connection between the East and the West, serving as a melting pot of various ideas and traditions. The spirit of cooperation and openness it embodies must continue to be promoted after this forum. I hope the youth will take away their experiences in Nanjing and continue to shine in heritage preservation and cultural creativity, fostering more connections and creating a future filled with creativity and collaboration."
As a cultural ancient city, Nanjing has continuously showcased its significance in the Belt and Road Initiative in recent years: in 2019, Nanjing successfully joined UNESCO's Creative Cities Network, becoming China's first "City of Literature"; it has hosted the International Youth Forum on Creativity and Heritage along the Silk Roads consecutively; and it has contributed to global heritage preservation, the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, and the promotion of mutual learning among world civilizations. In response, Mayor of Nanjing Municipal Government Chen Zhichang remarked, "This year marks the 11th year of President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road Initiative and the seventh time Nanjing has hosted the International Youth Forum on Creativity and Heritage along the Silk Roads. Through this forum, young people from various countries enhance communication, foster friendships, and forge an inseparable bond with Nanjing." He urged the youth to seize this forum as an opportunity to become "publicity ambassadors" for Nanjing's image, "collaboration ambassadors" for innovation and entrepreneurship, and "friendship ambassadors" for the Belt and Road Initiative, thereby serving as a bridge for cultural exchanges among countries and contributing their youthful strength to promote high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road and the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.
During the closing ceremony, Bruna Tabajara Brilmann from Brazil spoke on behalf of the youth representatives at the forum, saying, "I will convey the power I felt at this forum and inspire everyone who is passionate about cultural heritage protection and creativity."
During the pre-forum activities, Nanjing initiated a global call for creative works under the theme "My Beautiful Hometown," inviting youth from countries along the Belt and Road to showcase their hometown's food culture through videos, paintings, poetry, and other forms, sharing their stories related to local cuisine. Once the call was announced, it received an enthusiastic response from international youth, with submissions from young people in 16 countries along the Belt and Road, including Pakistan, India, South Korea, Mexico, and Nigeria. The submissions were numerous and varied in form, vividly expressing the rich regional characteristics and cultural sentiments of the hometown food culture while promoting mutual understanding among civilizations and connecting hearts. During the closing ceremony, an award ceremony for the "My Beautiful Hometown" global creative works was held.
It is reported that the International Youth Forum on Creativity and Heritage along the Silk Roads was jointly launched in 2017 by the National Commission of China for UNESCO and UNESCO in response to General Secretary Xi Jinping's Belt and Road Initiative and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Currently, the forum has been held for eight consecutive sessions, becoming an important platform for promoting cultural exchange and enhancing friendships among youth from various countries.