Ambassador Lynette Mwende Ndile, Deputy Head of Mission of Kenya to China, delivered a speech focusing on three key areas.

• • Education is a powerful diplomatic tool and a great equalizer. Young people, as education recipients, through their educational experiences, have become diplomats and ambassadors in their own right, representing their cultures and promoting international understanding.

• • Education diplomacy builds mutually beneficial relationships between nations. She has informed the audience that the theme of International Youth Day 2024 is youth digitigal pathways for sustainable development. She stated that while the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional educational formats, it also spurred innovation. Young Leaders are now at the forefront of digital adoption and innovation in education, transforming challenges into opportunities for global learning and collaboration.

• • Education plays a crucial role in bridging cultural divides. She accentuated the importance of cultivating young and future leaders who can work toward common goals across cultural boundaries. The Ambassador called for greater inclusivity in education, ensuring that every individual, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to reach their full potential. She argued that the youths have a role to stop this cultural divide and mold the world to have common goals, it is crucial for creating a more understanding and harmonious global community.

Wahed, Secretary General of Alumni Talent Alliance and Director of International Affairs at ITEC, shared insights on the changing landscape of international talent exchange.

• • Pointing out that during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the primary reason for inviting foreign students to China shifted towards promoting people-to-people diplomacy and strengthening international relationships.

• • Every international student is viewed as a cultural ambassador, serving as a bridge between their home country and China.

• • The Belt and Road Initiative has elevated the role of international students to a new level. These students are now expected to become skilled project leaders, contributing their expertise to various aspects of this global development strategy.

Jenna Lively, a senior educator, discussed the growing influence of AI in modern classrooms. She provided an overview of the first-hand experience with AI developments and explored its role in education, emphasizing its applications, benefits, and future potential. She also highlighted how technology is reshaping the learning experience and possible future education system.

Tony Gao, Founder of EasyTransfer, illustrated the importance of global citizenship.

Lea Bochtler, Collumbia University Allumni and social media influencer, highlighted the role of social media in promoting authentic cultural exchange.

The Beijing Reception Event had adopted a hybrid format, with Zoom participation from those Young Leaders who could not attend in person offering fresh perspectives and insights on our topics of the night.