SEE A BRIGHTER FUTURE AND HOW IT SHINES.
YBNR FORUM 2017-2020
3RD INTERNATIONAL YOUTH FORUM ON THE BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE
BRI - Blueprints for Rethinking International Cooperation
In December 2019, the 3rd International Youth Forum was held in Suzhou, China, the biggest forum we have organised so far. Marking the end of the second decade in the 21st Century, the theme this year was “BRI -- Blueprints for Rethinking International Cooperation”. Our co-hosts this year were Zhejiang University Academy of International Strategy and Law as well as Suzhou Intermediary Court. This year, we introduced three new elements to expand the size of the forum and enhance the participant experience.
First, we designed six policy workshops covering a broad range of topic areas, including economics and finance, technology and innovation, law, infrastructure, environment and sustainability, and socio-economic issues. The interdisciplinary workshops led by industry experts provided delegates with a creative, intellectual space to exchange ideas in a constructive manner and were encouraged to think practically about how to deal with some of the most significant challenges our world is facing.
Second, in collaboration with the Suzhou Entrepreneurship Society, we hosted an exchange session between the international youth delegates and Suzhou-based entrepreneurs. During these exchanges, delegates had the opportunity to learn and discuss China's regulatory environment, the challenges and opportunities in the present market, as well as the methods of facilitating international business collaboration.
Finally, it was our first time introducing a global application portal, which received more than 440 submissions from nearly 60 countries across the world. After two rounds of intensive selection, 67 delegates were chosen from 34 countries. In total, more than 120 participants, including other observers and distinguished guests, were present at the forum.
2ND INTERNATIONAL YOUTH FORUM ON THE BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE
The Central Eastern European Perspective
Following the 1st International Youth Forum, our project gained national and international attention. Thus, we successfully gained support to organise the 2nd International Youth Forum between 27th to 30th December 2018, again in Zhejiang, China. This time, we invited all 37 authors who contributed in the publication. We also invited 9 universities and research institutions in the CEE region to participate as co-organisers. In addition to the participants from other universities in China, there were over 100 students, young academics, young professionals, and professors involved.
The two-day Forum focused on issues relating to the CEE region and the "16+1" initative. Near the end of the Forum, we also introduced an innovative "Colloquium" session in which participants were able to freely engage in an intensive yet fruitful round-table discussion. This was used as an opportunity to discuss difficult issues such as EU-China relationships, China's interest in the BRI, as well as ways to increase youth engagement in the BRI.
1ST INTERNATIONAL YOUTH FORUM ON THE BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE
With the support of Zhejiang University Academy of International Strategy and Law, we organised the 1st Youth Forum in December 2017. The Forum was held in Zhejiang, China, inviting more than 80 university students, including members of the Young Belt and Road series Editorial Board and 6 authors of the publication. 23 presentations were held across 5 panels, covering a broad range of topics related to BRI: international relations, political risk, technology, education, digital economy, legal systems, dispute resolution, etc.
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At the end of the Forum, 37 students from near 20 countries jointly signed the "Young Belt and Road Initiative", calling for international government support in promoting further youth exchanges.
