Agriculture, design, sustainability connect youth from 13 countries in Shanghai

Shanghai -The opening ceremony of the Youth Action on Green Agri-Heritage: Global Cultural Symbiosis took place on Tuesday in Shanghai, coinciding with International Youth Day.

The event organizers were seeking to connect China's agricultural cultural heritage with global youth-led innovation through field visits, roundtable discussions and co-creation workshops. Participants collaborated with visual design mentors to develop skills for international communication and practical innovation.

About 80 participants attended this event, including government officials, consulate and international organization representatives, expert mentors, media representatives and youth delegates from Laos, Mongolia and 11 other countries.

Participants attend the Youth Action on Green Agri-Heritage: Global Cultural Symbiosis opening ceremony. [Photo provided to People's Daily]

Gao Anming, editor-in-chief of the China International Communications Group and director of the China Internet Information Center (CIIC), delivered opening remarks via video during the launch ceremony. He said that China, as the country with the largest number of "Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems" (GIAHS), has always contributed to the world with the Eastern wisdom of living heritage plus industrial empowerment. The event was an innovative exploration in international communication to promote dialogue among civilizations, Gao said. "We are conveying to the world, through multilingual and multi-format communication, a core message: Agricultural heritage is by no means a static museum exhibit, but a source of human wisdom in addressing challenges," he said.

Zhou Lijin from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Representation in China delivered opening remarks. Recognizing youth as drivers of change is key for promoting their engagement and employment in agri-food systems, she said. "Through sharing innovative experiences from heritage sites, this event encourages young participants to break conventions, discuss social, economic and environmental issues in depth, and offer youth-driven solutions for the sustainable innovation of agricultural heritage systems," she said.

Zeng Zixin from the Center of International Cooperation Service (CICOS) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, said that since the FAO launched the GIAHS initiative in 2002, China has been one of its earliest responders, a staunch supporter, a successful practitioner, a key promoter, and a major contributor. China has 25 GIAHS, ranking first in the world, she noted. "We aim to leverage China's GIAHS for rural revitalization, contributing to global food security and the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," she said.

Min Qingwen, a researcher with the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and director of the GIAHS Expert Committee, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, delivered a keynote speech on GIAHS and its protection. He emphasized the systematic, living, and dynamic characteristics of agricultural cultural heritage as well as its multi-functional value. Regarding the problems of declining rural population and widening urban-rural gap, he said that the dynamic protection and sustainable development of agricultural cultural heritage may be achieved through the participation of young people.

Japanese director Takeuchi Ryo hosts the Youth Action on Green Agri-Heritage: Visual Creation Workshop, sharing insights on cross-cultural documentary filmmaking with young representatives from various countries. [Photo provided to People's Daily]

During the event, a special visual screening section showcased the beauty of farming. A team of international youth delegates led by Takeuchi Ryo filmed videos in a peento farm and a fishing village.

Participants take a group photo at the Youth Action on Green Agri-Heritage venue. [Photo provided to People's Daily]

Youth representatives of the Youth Action on Green Agri-Heritage visit a peento orchard cultivation site in Jinshan District, Shanghai, East China's Shanghai. [Photo provided to People's Daily]

The Youth Action on Green Agri-Heritage: Global Cultural Symbiosis program was launched by the WFF China and the CIIC, with the goal of establishing a series of activities focused on cultural exchange and mutual learning pertaining to GIAHS and fostering multi-stakeholder engagement from UN agencies, agricultural departments from multiple countries, media, authoritative experts, public figures and youth participants. The initiative will unfold through exchanges and video releases showcasing youth-driven innovations related to agricultural heritage, with activities held in China’s Shanghai, Jeju Island in South Korea, Vientiane in Laos, and Romein Italy.

The Shanghai Youth Action on Green Agri-Heritage: Global Cultural Symbiosis events were hosted by FAO Representation in China, the WFF China, and the CIIC. The FAO, Pinduoduo, and the China Agricultural Science and Education Foundation served as project partners. The events were also supported by the China Education Support Programme, the Shanghai Food and Strategic Reserves Administration and the Yangpu district government.