In the afternoon of July 13th, the fourth International Youth Leadership Program (IYLP) unveiled its curtain at BNUZ International Center. BNUZ President Prof. Qingyun Tu, Vice President Prof. Ailan Fu, Deputy Chair of BNUZ Party Committee Dr. Wei Dai, and Leaders from BNU Beijing including Deputy Director of International Office Dr. Jun Wang, Director of International Education Ms. Lengxi Liu, together with 73 participant students from 12 universities across the globe attended the launching ceremony.

First, on behalf of BNUZ, Prof. Tu expressed sincere welcome to all participant teachers and students. He believed that based on the three previous sessions, this year’s IYLP will be more productive in developing students’ critical thinking ability and reflective ability so as to produce more youth leaders for the future. He hoped that students would learn from and cooperate with each other and achieve fruitful success together.

On the launching ceremony, Henry Mason from the University of Oxford and Ms. Yuwan Zhang from BNU Beijing gave a speech respectively on behalf of all the participant students home and abroad. They hoped that via such program, they could fully tap their own potentials, and at the same time, they wished that they could make friends through such cross-cultural communication and exchange.

At last, guest leaders and student representatives touched the crystal ball engraved with IYLP and Prof. Ailan Fu handed the IYLP flag to student representative, marking the launch of the fourth IYLP.

“In IYLP, students will acquire more understandings about diverse cultures.” recited from Ms. Yu Su, instructor of IYLP. This year’s IYLP gathered students from 12 universities home and overseas and the diversified culture will bring different experience to all participant students.

Among all the participant students, Anda Banks, MA candicate in the University of Oxford, has an experience of living in China for three years. She was very impressive to Chinese people’s hospitality and extensive culture. Samantha Spagnoli, who had rich experience of international exchange and communication, thought that under the background of diversified cultures, to establish a good team requires an open heart to all views. And IYLP aims to establish an international and open platform, inspiring and encouraging students. “As long as you will, you are on IYLP’s stage.”

IYLP is initiated by BNU Beijing and BNU Zhuhai, together with students from the University of Oxford, the University of Birmingham, etc. It aims to produce future youth leaders for the country and the world. IYLP is devoted to inspiring student’s potential, respecting different cultures, and following community development. It lasts 20 days with the first 8 days in Zhuhai and the rest in Beijing. This year’s IYLP embraces 32 overseas students, 21 students from BNU Beijing and 20 students from BNU Zhuhai. They will conduct series of lectures, cooperative research and project exhibition with a commitment to the principle of UN Academic Impact.