Highlights of the 2024 International Youth Forum on Creativity and Heritage along the Silk Roads (IYF)

Since its inception in 2017, IYF has become an important platform to promote cross-cultural exchanges and cooperation among the youth of Belt and Road countries and beyond. This year, the forum is held from September 22 to 28 in the cities of Changsha and Nanjing, China. The event is co-hosted by UNESCO, the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO, the World Federation of UNESCO Associations, and the municipal governments of Changsha and Nanjing. The theme of this year's forum, "Reimagining Our Heritage: Stories of Resilience and Transformation," aims to encourage young people worldwide to engage in the protection of cultural heritage, foster innovation and entrepreneurship, and contribute to building a shared future for mankind.

Gabriela Ramos, Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences at UNESCO, and Chen Jie, Vice Minister of Education and Chairperson of the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO, delivered video messages at the opening ceremony. Zhou Haibing, Vice Governor and Mayor of Changsha, attended the opening ceremony. Qin Changwei, Secretary-General of the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO, Du Yue, Secretary-General of the World Federation of UNESCO Associations, other city leaders, as well as 60 youth representatives from 53 countries, representatives from UNESCO Creative Cities Network, and youth volunteers also participated in the event.

2024一带一路青年创意与遗产论坛开幕式 ©黄启晴

In his speech, the Vice Governor and Mayor stated that culture is the soul and foundation of a city, and youth are its future. He expressed hope that young representatives would use this forum as an opportunity to prioritize cultural development, promote the spirit of the Silk Road, actively integrate into the Belt and Road Initiative, and attract more young talent to pursue their dreams in Changsha. He also emphasized the need to address the dual integration of culture with tourism and technology and to work together to build a closer community with a shared future for humanity.

During the forum, attendees will participate in a wide range of activities, including the opening ceremony, high-level forums, a China-foreign youth gala, youth sharing sessions, parallel forums for representatives of Creative Cities Network member cities, and presentations of outcomes. Additionally, cultural heritage experiences, a night tour of Tianxin Pavilion, and exhibitions showcasing the integration of culture and technology will allow participants to experience the unique charm of Changsha, a UNESCO City of Media Arts.

On September 22, 60 youth representatives from 53 countries participated in icebreaker activities at the Changsha Meixi Lake International Culture and Arts Center, engaging in activities such as designing cultural T-shirts and face-to-face introductions. These activities helped foster mutual understanding and laid the foundation for further exchanges.

破冰活动 © 黄启晴

At the high-level forum, Professor He Renke from the School of Design and Art at Hunan University gave a presentation titled "Cultural Heritage and Protection in the Era of Digital Global Media," showcasing innovative applications of digital technology in heritage preservation. Eugene Chng, Dean of the School of Culture and Creativity at Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College, shared insights on how technology can drive the transmission and protection of cultural heritage. Lee Sun-joo, Chairperson of the UNESCO Association of the Asia-Pacific Region, spoke about branding cultural heritage.

何人可教授 (左上)、庄以仁教授（右上）、李善珠女士（下）在高级别论坛中 © 黄启晴

As a part of the forum, participants visited the iconic Orange Isle in Changsha, experiencing the city's natural beauty and rich history.

青年代表们参观橘子洲头 © 黄启晴

Guests had the opportunity to observe provincial inheritors of Xiang embroidery and Baoqing porcelain carving at the Changsha Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum. They also engaged in hands-on activities with local artisans, learning traditional crafts such as making dough sculptures, paper cuttings, and Chinese knots. This gave participants a deeper appreciation of the cultural heritage embedded in these traditions.

青年代表体验非遗活动

During the youth sharing session, representatives from various countries shared their insights and experiences, discussing how creativity and technology can be used to protect and transmit cultural heritage.

The UNESCO East Asia Office hopes that this platform will further promote youth exchange and cooperation among Belt and Road countries, contributing to the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Go to the IYF webpage