Gui Tianhan, Associate Professor of School of Publick & Management of Tsinghua University, attended the Belt and Road Women’s Forum and Youth Leadership Forum and delivered a speech
date：2024-01-03 11:10:57 hits：
The 5th Belt and Road Women’s Forum successfully convened in Sanya, Hainan from December 6-8. Co-hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, and the UN Resident Coordinator Office in China, and jointly organized by the People’s Government of Sanya City, the China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development, and the Secretariat of the Belt and Road Women’s Forum. On the morning of the 8th, the Belt and Road Women's Forum and Youth Leadership Forum was successfully held in Sanya Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City. Gui Tianhan, Associate Professor of School of Publick & Management of Tsinghua University, attended the Belt and Road Women’s Forum and Youth Leadership Forum and delivered a speech.
Esteemed guests, panel members, good morning. I am Gui Tianhan, an Associate Professor at Tsinghua University. Before joining Tsinghua, I worked at the United Nations for three years on evaluation projects. Today, I am delighted to discuss the crucial role that young people, especially young women from developing countries, play in global governance.
Reflecting on my time at the UN, a significant observation was the vast disparity in opportunities for young people from developed and developing countries to engage in global governance. In developed countries, young people often have easier access to resources and networks related to global governance, enabling them to enter international organizations as interns or young professionals, thereby gaining valuable firsthand experience in global development.
In contrast, young people in developing countries often face many challenges, including limited access to global platforms, financial difficulties, and a lack of awareness of such opportunities. This imbalance is not only detrimental to individuals but also severely affects the diversity of perspectives within international organizations, which is crucial for achieving just and effective global governance.
The challenges are even more severe for young women in developing regions, where gender biases and cultural constraints greatly limit their educational and professional opportunities. This not only hinders their ability to realize their potential but also diminishes the diversity of viewpoints and insights in global governance.
It is also important to note that internships in organizations like the UN are often unpaid, which significantly disadvantages young people from the Global South, making it harder for them to gain these valuable experiences.
The participation of youth in global governance is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, they have a unique understanding of the challenges and realities faced by regions often focused on in international development. This firsthand experience and insight contribute to more accurate and effective policy-making. Secondly, their involvement ensures that solutions developed are culturally appropriate and sustainable. Lastly, their participation challenges traditional development perspectives and promotes global cooperation and partnerships.
Esteemed entrepreneurs, policymakers, and leaders, our purpose today is to transform symbolic support into practical and powerful actions. We hope you will translate previous affirmations and recognitions into specific, effective measures to drive change.
To the entrepreneurs present, I encourage you to extend your traditional investment scope and actively invest in scholarship programs. These scholarships should cover not only tuition but also the day-to-day living costs faced by our future leaders. We need to invest in creating paid internships and other opportunities that support young people from developing countries in participating in global governance. These opportunities are not just about providing financial assistance to the youth but truly recognizing and valuing the significant contributions of young professionals to our world. This support is especially crucial for young women from developing countries. Providing them with financial and professional support can significantly enhance their ability to contribute unique perspectives and skills in global governance.
To the policymakers present, I urge you to use your influence on the international stage to advocate for and promote policies that benefit young professionals. Specifically, this means pushing international institutions to implement fair labor policies, encouraging intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to provide educational and professional development funding opportunities for youth from diverse backgrounds, and striving to create a policy environment that reduces socio-economic barriers. Your initiatives are crucial in establishing a framework that supports and recognizes the next generation of young leaders. Such a framework not only helps nurture and acknowledge future leaders but also ensures that the global future we shape together is inclusive of diverse voices. Your actions and decisions will directly impact whether we can create an inclusive and diverse future leadership, thereby making global governance more just and effective.
Every step towards creating equal opportunities brings us closer to a more diverse and inclusive global governance system. Let’s work together towards this vision for a brighter, fairer future. In the future, young people from various backgrounds will contribute their talents to the global community, possibly solving many challenges faced in our digital world.
Therefore, let’s commit to creating more meaningful opportunities and clearing the path for young people from developing countries to participate in global governance. Thank you for your efforts and commitment to empowering the youth of developing countries and shaping a diverse global governance system.
The forum brought together over 400 participants. These included Li Xikui, Vice President of Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Cheng Hong, Vice President of All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, Chen Xi, Mayor of the People’s Government of Sanya City, Arya Ali, First Lady of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, and Michael Houghton, Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine, and ambassadors from Kyrgyzstan, Zambia, Maldives, Switzerland, Nepal, Guyana, Uganda, Mozambique, and various other countries.
2023 marks the tenth anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. The forum focused on women's education, health, and growth, upholding the spirit of the Silk Road, and promoting inter-civilizational exchanges. It vigorously publicized China's achievements in advancing women's causes and promoting their comprehensive development in the new era. This forum significantly enhanced China's international discourse and influence in the fields of women and children, building a platform and bridge for women's exchange and communication among Belt and Road participating countries.
Gui Tianhan, Associate Professor of School of Publick & Management of Tsinghua University, delivered a speech
Esteemed guests, panel members, good morning. I am Gui Tianhan, an Associate Professor at Tsinghua University. Before joining Tsinghua, I worked at the United Nations for three years on evaluation projects. Today, I am delighted to discuss the crucial role that young people, especially young women from developing countries, play in global governance.
Reflecting on my time at the UN, a significant observation was the vast disparity in opportunities for young people from developed and developing countries to engage in global governance. In developed countries, young people often have easier access to resources and networks related to global governance, enabling them to enter international organizations as interns or young professionals, thereby gaining valuable firsthand experience in global development.
In contrast, young people in developing countries often face many challenges, including limited access to global platforms, financial difficulties, and a lack of awareness of such opportunities. This imbalance is not only detrimental to individuals but also severely affects the diversity of perspectives within international organizations, which is crucial for achieving just and effective global governance.
The challenges are even more severe for young women in developing regions, where gender biases and cultural constraints greatly limit their educational and professional opportunities. This not only hinders their ability to realize their potential but also diminishes the diversity of viewpoints and insights in global governance.
It is also important to note that internships in organizations like the UN are often unpaid, which significantly disadvantages young people from the Global South, making it harder for them to gain these valuable experiences.
The participation of youth in global governance is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, they have a unique understanding of the challenges and realities faced by regions often focused on in international development. This firsthand experience and insight contribute to more accurate and effective policy-making. Secondly, their involvement ensures that solutions developed are culturally appropriate and sustainable. Lastly, their participation challenges traditional development perspectives and promotes global cooperation and partnerships.
Esteemed entrepreneurs, policymakers, and leaders, our purpose today is to transform symbolic support into practical and powerful actions. We hope you will translate previous affirmations and recognitions into specific, effective measures to drive change.
To the entrepreneurs present, I encourage you to extend your traditional investment scope and actively invest in scholarship programs. These scholarships should cover not only tuition but also the day-to-day living costs faced by our future leaders. We need to invest in creating paid internships and other opportunities that support young people from developing countries in participating in global governance. These opportunities are not just about providing financial assistance to the youth but truly recognizing and valuing the significant contributions of young professionals to our world. This support is especially crucial for young women from developing countries. Providing them with financial and professional support can significantly enhance their ability to contribute unique perspectives and skills in global governance.
To the policymakers present, I urge you to use your influence on the international stage to advocate for and promote policies that benefit young professionals. Specifically, this means pushing international institutions to implement fair labor policies, encouraging intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to provide educational and professional development funding opportunities for youth from diverse backgrounds, and striving to create a policy environment that reduces socio-economic barriers. Your initiatives are crucial in establishing a framework that supports and recognizes the next generation of young leaders. Such a framework not only helps nurture and acknowledge future leaders but also ensures that the global future we shape together is inclusive of diverse voices. Your actions and decisions will directly impact whether we can create an inclusive and diverse future leadership, thereby making global governance more just and effective.
Every step towards creating equal opportunities brings us closer to a more diverse and inclusive global governance system. Let’s work together towards this vision for a brighter, fairer future. In the future, young people from various backgrounds will contribute their talents to the global community, possibly solving many challenges faced in our digital world.
Therefore, let’s commit to creating more meaningful opportunities and clearing the path for young people from developing countries to participate in global governance. Thank you for your efforts and commitment to empowering the youth of developing countries and shaping a diverse global governance system.
The forum brought together over 400 participants. These included Li Xikui, Vice President of Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Cheng Hong, Vice President of All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, Chen Xi, Mayor of the People’s Government of Sanya City, Arya Ali, First Lady of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, and Michael Houghton, Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine, and ambassadors from Kyrgyzstan, Zambia, Maldives, Switzerland, Nepal, Guyana, Uganda, Mozambique, and various other countries.
2023 marks the tenth anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. The forum focused on women's education, health, and growth, upholding the spirit of the Silk Road, and promoting inter-civilizational exchanges. It vigorously publicized China's achievements in advancing women's causes and promoting their comprehensive development in the new era. This forum significantly enhanced China's international discourse and influence in the fields of women and children, building a platform and bridge for women's exchange and communication among Belt and Road participating countries.