Highlights of the 2024 IYF in Changsha, the first UNESCO creative city of Media Arts of CHINA
The 2024 International Youth Forum on Creativity and Heritage along the Silk Roads (IYF) officially opened in Changsha on Sep 22.
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, delievered a video message.
Mr. 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.
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 participated 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.
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.
As a part of the forum, participants visited the iconic Orange Isle in Changsha, experiencing the city’s natural beauty and rich history.
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.
The forum also organized night tours and gala activities, fully showcasing the vibrant blend of traditional culture and modern urban life in Changsha, a city renowned for its media arts.
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.
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About the International Youth Forum (IYF) on Creativity and Heritage along the Silk Roads
The International Youth Forum (IYF) on Creativity and Heritage along the Silk Roads is an annual forum initiated by UNESCO, the National Commission of the People’s Republic of China for UNESCO, local governments in China, and the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres, and Associations (WFUCA), since 2017. The past Forums have gathered over 600 young participants from 137 countries, creating space for intercultural dialogue among youth from countries especially along the terrestrial and maritime Silk Roads.
For last year’s event, please go to the IYF website:
https://www.unesco.org/en/international-youth-forum
Quick review of 2024 IYF for Changsha’s part
