International Youth Forum: Special Dialogue on Youth’s Response to COVID-19
Nanjing, a UNESCO Creative City of Literature in China, held a special edition of the International Youth Forum in collaboration with the UNESCO Beijing Office, the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO and the Creative City of Changsha.
The 2020 forum, titled “International Youth Forum on Creativity and Heritage along the Silk Roads: Special Dialogue on Youth’s Response to COVID-19 (IYFSD)”, reflected and highlighted the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the future of the interlinked communities. The Forum not only highlighted the importance of Youth during the current pandemic but also in the recovery and reshaping of the city afterwards. This year’s online edition was an occasion to share stories and good practices in fighting the virus and to hear the youth’s voice on the challenges and opportunities they are facing in these trying times.
The International Youth Forum was initiated in 2017 by the city of Changsha. Since 2018, the city of Nanjing has joined forces for the organization of the Forum. Over the past editions, the Forum, through various thematic sessions has engaged youth in further leveraging creativity for sustainable development, as well as encouraged them to participate in the protection and safeguarding of cultural heritage.
Interested representatives from the public and private sectors, universities, as well as over 100 youth delegates from 68 countries along the silk roads participated in this virtual event.