World Youth Development Forum
Youth unites for a better future
The European Youth Association took part in the World Youth Development Forum in Beijing and in the Bridge of the Future ”China – Central and Eastern Europe Youth Development Campus in the Thematic Forum of Digital Development in Chongqing.
The World Youth Development Forum, with the theme of “Together for a Better Future”, opened in Beijing on August 12 at the International Youth Day.
The WYDF forum aims to harness the power of youth to advance the Global Development Initiative and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The United Nation will host the Summit of the Future in September in New York, with a commitment to accelerating the realization of the SDGs. During the opening ceremony and plenary meeting of the WYDF, youth representatives from eight countries read out the “International Youth Advocacy for the Summit of the Future”. They pledged to stay conscious of global matters, be innovative, embrace cooperation and take on the responsibility to work in solidarity toward accelerating the achievement of global sustainable development and promoting the building of a community with shared future for mankind.
Youth Pre-Meeting for the Summit of the Future was held on August 13, and 4 Thematic Forums for Green Development, Youth Development-oriented Cities, Digital Development, Cultural Inheritance and Innovation were held in Nanning, Hangzhou, Chongqing, and Changsha respectively, from August 14 to 15.
This forum bringing together over 2,000 youth representatives from more than 130 countries and regions and over 20 international organizations, both online and in person.
The series of events of the forum were invite the heads of United Nations agencies, ministers for youth affairs, youth leaders and youth representatives from all walks of life to participate in person, building a worldwide platform for exchanges, mutual learning and cooperation, and facilitating stakeholders to jointly address global challenges and build a better future.
Our president had speech in the thematic forum for digital development on the topic realistic demands and promotion mechanism of youth development and speech in the roundtable conference on building green and low carbon cities together in Chongqing.
He said that “Addressing the real needs of our youth and fostering effective promotion mechanisms is not merely an investment in the future—it is a commitment to building a more equitable, innovative and vibrant society today. By prioritizing mental health, economic stability, social inclusion, digital literacy and personal fulfillment, and by implementing supportive community engagement, educational reform and effective policy, we lay the foundation for a brighter future for all.
Let us embrace this challenge with determination and compassion, working together to ensure that every young person has the opportunity to reach their full potential. For in the strength and success of our youth, we find the promise of a better tomorrow.”
On August 11th, our president visited one of the seven wonders of the world – Great Wall of China protected by UNESCO. There is a famous quote attributed to Chairman Mao, – ”He who has not been to the Great Wall is not a true man”. Exploring the Great Wall of China is surely one of the unforgettable experiences. Other two groups visited Forbidden city and Temple of Heaven.
In Chongqing, we visited the Seres Group Co., Ltd, where the staff and robots working together to assemble new energy vehicles and experienced technological sense of China manufacturing in the electronic cars. Next day, we went in the Dazu Rock Carvings. It is the one and only UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in Chongqing municipality. They provide outstanding evidence of the harmonious synthesis of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. Also, we visited Chongqing planning exhibition gallery, Mobile IoT Global Exhibition center, CCTEG Engineering Group Co., Ltd, Hub international logistic park, enjoyed the night view of Yangtze and Jialing rivers and we tried the special tradition spicy hot pot and it was so delicious.
According to the organizers, this year’s forum is especially timely as the world faces unprecedented changes and significant challenges. The ongoing crises in Ukraine and Gaza, setbacks in global economic recovery, the widening North-South divide, food security issues, humanitarian crises, cybersecurity threats, and climate change all underscore the urgent need for global youth to take on the responsibility and contribute to solving these pressing global problems.