BEIJING, 30 October 2020 - - The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in collaboration with Beifang International Education Group and Tsinghua University, launched the third “Belt and Road” Youth Leadership Workshop at Canvard College of Beijing Technology and Business University today.

42 youth leaders selected from different universities across China are starting their journey to the five-day Workshop, where they will learn critical leadership skills and knowledge together with mentors from Tsinghua University and UNFPA. 

“We believe a healthy, educated, and fully engaged young population is one of the most crucial building blocks to a just, peaceful and prosperous future as envisioned in the Sustainable Development Goals,” says Ms. Navchaa Suren, UNFPA China Officer in Charge. 

“The Workshop is an interactive platform for mutual learning and capacity building. It bridges education gaps to improve young people’s knowledge and engagement in development challenges.” 

“Through intensive trainings, interactive dialogues and group work, we hope to equip students with accurate information on sexual and reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, the SDGs, and skills on strategic thinking and social innovation,” the Lead Facilitator of the Workshop, Professor Tang Kun of Tsinghua University Vanke School of Public Health says.

“Later they are expected to transfer the leadership skills they learn to implement their ideas for social changes,” Professor Tang added.

The Youth Leadership Workshop is an annual flagship activity under the Project Cultivating Youth Leadership under the “Belt and Road”, which was established in 2018 by UNFPA China and Beifang International Education Group (BIEG). The Project aims to promote Chinese young people’s leadership and participation in development agenda through capacity building, international and national development dialogues, and community engagement activities. 

In 2019, UNFPA organized two “Belt and Road” Youth Leadership Workshops with 85 students participated. Youth leaders graduated from the Workshops will become a “UNFPA China Student Ambassador” for the “Belt and Road” Youth Leadership and Participation Project in their respective universities. They will utilize their learnings to advocate for development issues, and eventually contribute to a sustainable future as a global citizen. They will also have opportunities to participate in international settings where issues relating to them will be discussed and their voices can be heard. 

The fourth “Belt and Road” Youth Leadership Workshop will be held on 12 November 2020 in Beijing.