With over 2,000 entries submitted from multiple countries over nearly a year, the 2025 "Seeking Unity Across Lands and Seas" International Youth Envoys Program, as reflected in these figures, demonstrates the proactive attitude of the new generation toward cultural expression. It has also become tangible proof of cross-cultural exchange, moving from concept to practice.

What is noteworthy is not only the diversity of the works themselves, but also how the young participants, through the creative process, organized their own cultural identity, gained an understanding of other civilizations, and sparked recognition and reflection within family interactions. This event is less of a call for submissions and more of an "experiential cultural learning" journey, allowing participants to achieve a kind of unspoken growth through creation and dialogue.

A Painting Work of "Seeking Unity Across Lands and Seas" International Youth Envoy Recruitment Activity

From Chongqing to overseas, the creative endeavors of young people often begin with "how I tell my story," yet gradually evolve toward "how we understand each other." Liu Runjia from Chongqing BI Academy, through her short video "Sound of the Mountain City", transformed the Chongqing dialect into an interactive game, allowing intangible cultural heritage to enter her peers' worldview in a light-hearted and engaging way.

She shared, "I hope the world hears not just standard Mandarin, but also the warmth in my hometown dialect." For her, creation is an act of translating — weaving traditional emotional touchpoints into a modern narrative.

"Seeking Unity Across Lands and Seas" International Youth Envoys Online Dialogue Event.

On the other side of the ocean, Lian Pai, a 15-year-old girl from the Philippines, confidently introduced her life in the archipelago nation while wearing a traditional Chinese horse-face skirt. Gently pointing to the skirt's pleats, she remarked, "The Philippines has similar details in its clothing; perhaps cultures are inherently connected." This natural conversational stance allows differences to serve as a starting point for understanding and reveals a common foundation for civilizations through their encounters.

When creation shifts from personal expression to cultural dialogue, the change extends beyond the young people to their families. As reflected in feedback from a parent of Zhang Zien, a student at Chongqing No.2 Foreign Language School, "My child used to only mention 'having hotpot' when introducing our hometown. Now, he proactively shares about the wharf culture and stories of migration—he has learned to ask 'why'."

"Seeking Unity Across Lands and Seas" International Youth Envoy Recruitment Activity Glory Award Painting Work "I Love Chongqing".

Liu Runjia's parent expressed satisfaction with their child's growth during the event: "From successfully showcasing local culture to confidently expressing herself and receiving responses in international dialogue, these experiences have truly solidified her abilities in public expression and intercultural empathy." Many parents unanimously mentioned that their children have begun to "see the world beyond textbooks," and this transformation often occurs after a sincere act of creation or a moment of attentive listening.

These subtle yet authentic changes reflect the deeper significance of the event: it is not a one-way cultural output, but rather a "dialogue trigger" that initiates mutual understanding and reflection.

Through their creations, young people sort out their sense of self, and through viewing others' works, they come to understand different perspectives. Families, by accompanying them, witness firsthand that cross-cultural understanding is not a distant theory but a practice that can permeate daily life. Thus, the works transcend the scope of mere assignments, becoming vehicles for identity formation and emotional connection.

"Seeking Unity Across Lands and Seas" International Youth Envoys Online Dialogue Event.

It is reported that the offline exchange segment of this event—the "Seeking Unity Across Lands and Seas" International Youth Envoys Annual Conference—is scheduled to be held in mid-December in Chongqing. The young people who have previously engaged in dialogue through their works will transition from online interactions to offline, face-to-face communication. What is even more anticipated than the awards ceremony and showcases are the new encounters and possibilities that this gathering may inspire.

The over 2,000 submissions leave behind not just archives and honors, but a vivid example: when young people are given genuine space for expression and opportunities for dialogue, mutual learning among civilizations ceases to be a mere slogan and becomes a participatory, empathetic, and sustainable journey of growth.