Chongqing - On October 25, the "Land-Sea International Youth Envoys: Seeking Unity Across Lands and Seas" International Youth Envoys Online Dialogue took place. Twenty-eight young participants from China, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines bridged distances to connect online, engaging in a heartfelt and imaginative exchange centered on three key themes: "Key Scenes of My Hometown," "The Future World in Decades," and "My Creative Designs." The dialogue showcased the cultural perspectives and vibrant spirit of a new generation of global youth.
The event was jointly organized by the Western China International Communication Organization and Chongqing Land-Sea Media Co., Ltd., with a main venue in Chongqing and subsidiary venues in Sri Lanka and the Philippines, enabling real-time interaction across multiple locations.
Under the theme "Key Scenes of My Hometown," Allaine Jeanele Bautista from the Philippines venue vividly depicted Bulacan's sweet local snacks and vibrant festival atmosphere. Meanwhile, Zhang Zien from Chongqing guided the audience through the winding alleys of her mountain city, conveying what she called "the warmth of hometown." From coastal landscapes to mountain trails, from campus life to overseas experiences, students from different regions used three photographs each to share cultural stories of their hometowns. Each snapshot served as a window for cultural understanding, bridging the distance between them.
“The Future World in Decades” sparked the young participants' bold imaginations. Representatives like Zhou Lingke from Chongqing Shapingba Primary School weighed in on the evolving landscape of technology, the environment, and daily life. In his presentation, Aquinas Silva shares from the Sri Lankan venue, "The future world will not only advance in technology and innovation, but every single human on Earth will also communicate each other's cultures with greater compassion and warmth." This perspective highlighted that the youth are focused not just on technological progress, but also on the shared spiritual future of humanity.
During the "My Creative Design" session, Ding Chuqiao from Chongqing presented her vision on "Future Life Through My Creative Lens," depicting a world where intelligent robots are ubiquitous and expressing her aspiration to become a robotics scientist. From the Philippine venue, Julia Maera Tisza P. Austria proposed the "Global Youth Environmental Jigsaw Initiative," while Carl Dowen Y. Manguera launched the "Global Youth Planner Exchange Program." These proposals showcased the participants' strong sense of responsibility and initiative in taking concrete actions to promote environmental protection and cultural collaboration.
The event also featured a lively Q&A session and a "A Message for You" segment, where students enthusiastically posed questions to their international peers. A vibrant exchange of ideas unfolded across the screens, significantly strengthening the emotional bonds among the youth. When addressing how to navigate cultural conflicts, Wu Xiuli from Chongqing University of Technology shared her communicative approach: "Listen, respect, and find common ground." During the message segment, K.H. Pubudu Chathmin from Sri Lanka expressed with heartfelt emotion: "I believe that respecting each other's identity is the foundation of close relationships and healthy connections among nations." This steadfast commitment to international exchange and profound respect for cultural differences offered a powerful, real-life embodiment of the event's theme: "Seeking Unity Across Lands and Seas."
In the concluding remarks, Mr. Li, Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchanges of the School of Foreign Languages at Southwest University, highly commended the young participants for their cross-cultural communication skills and innovative thinking. He encouraged them to view this exchange not as an end, but as the beginning of long-term friendships and future collaboration.
"Today, we have heard 28 distinct voices and witnessed 28 different futures." The event successfully established a vibrant platform for international dialogue that was egalitarian, open, and highly interactive. More importantly, its unique "culture-sharing and future-co-creation" model tangibly enhanced participants' cross-cultural understanding and global competence.
According to the organizing committee, the "Land-Sea International Youth Envoys: Seeking Unity Across Lands and Seas" International Youth Envoys Annual Conference will be held in late November in Chongqing. The event will gather outstanding youth representatives who have excelled in various international exchanges to showcase their achievements, receive honors, and jointly chart a new chapter for global youth collaboration.