The 2021 E-GYLA Summer Programme set sail on July 19th, 2021. About 90 participants and tutors from seven prestigious Chinese universities joined the opening ceremony. The three-week programme covers 21 different topics on 4 modules featuring international organization and global engagement to empower young people as leaders and agents of change,to unleash their full potential, and to engage them for realization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The opening ceremony kicked off with a spectacular talent show and followed by inspiring speeches. The talent show was organized and performed by GYLAers, demonstrating their lofty course and great passion for global governance. After the show, Dr. Minghui Ren, Assistant Director-General of WHO, greeted GYLA participants and highly praised the role GYLA players in cultivating international talents. Dr. Ren talked about the dilemma and opportunities young people face in the context of the global pandemic. Dr. Changchui He, Former Deputy Director-General of FAO, Visiting Professor of Beijing University, gave a detailed introduction to the FAO and recalled his working experience as an international civil servant. Dr. NingZhang, Former Deputy Secretary-General of China Scholarship Council, Ministry of Education expressed his heartfelt wishes to GYLA and his expectation and confidence to all the ambitious youth leaders. He pointed out the overwhelming need of international talents in China and encouraged participants to develop international outlook on developing countries. Mr. Jiyuan Wang, Former Director of ILO Bureau in Thailand, Cambodia and Laos, shared how he witnessed the birth and development of GYLA and encouraged participants to think big and contribute to a brighter future.
After the keynote speeches, Shijun Liu from Shandong University, gave a speech on behalf of the participants. She expressed her gratitude to GYLA for the access to distance learning and the platform for young people. She encouraged GYLAers to adapt to the rapid changes in today’s
world and take lead in global governance
At the end of the ceremony, Dr. LiangrongZu, founder of GYLA, and Mr. Meng Liu, director of GYLA, introduced the DreamTeam and GYLA Programme. Dr. Zu touched on the framework of leadership, social entrepreneurship, and the SDGs. As he emphasized, the young generation is expected to “dream more, learn more, do more, and become more”. They also explained GYLA’s mission and rules during the course.
As the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said, “All our hopes for a better world rest on young people.Sustainable development, human rights, peace and security can only be achieved if we empower these young people as leaders.” GYLA is a cradle with local and international vision, and it exposes youth to innovative ideas, frontier knowledge, and growth mindset. In this special year of post[1]pandemic,GYLA will continue to uphold its mission of empowering the youth to become successful leaders for global engagement in social and environmental issues,particularly in the achievement of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
