17 overseas students from the University of Oxford, the University of Birmingham, and the University of Harvard came all the way to Zhuhai to attend the 3^rd International Youth Leadership Program (IYLP) on July 1^st. Prof. He Liqing, Deputy Dean of the Yanjing School of Beijing University said on the opening ceremony “in my eyes, this program is of great significance.”

International Youth Leadership Program (IYLP) is a platform of cross-cultural communication and cooperation co-hosted by BNU and students from world famous universities like the University of Oxford, the University of Birmingham, and the University of Harvard, which aims to cultivate future leaders with social responsibilities for the whole society, nation and the human being as a whole.

The program this year lasts for 20 days in today, attracting the participation of 56 students, including 11 students from the University of Oxford. English as the working language, students from all four universities will study and research together to complete the project and join activities like the leadership workshop, etc.

Wardah, student from the University of Birmingham, said that since pressure can turn a piece of coal into a diamond, she hoped that the 3-week experiential learning can enrich her life.

John L. Holden, used to be the CEO of the National Committee on China-US Relations, citing such communication platform as a “greenhouse” in an interview. He said “students at this age are just seeking for various experiences, if provided with the opportunity to interact with the international society, the significance cannot be measured.”

He recalled that back to 1970s, there was no such program at all, so he must create chances by himself. It’s reported that he went to Taiwan in 1972, lived with the parents of his teacher,

negotiated the credit issues with the university, and worked to support his study.

“Among any three people walking, I will find something to learn for sure” Mr. He cited a line from Confucius, encouraging students to take this opportunity to broaden own horizons.

Prof. Chen Guangju, Vide President of BNU, said that globalization and cultural diversity are the most outstanding features of the era. The ever-changing environment has brought more and more crisis and challenges. Reviewing the past two sessions of IYLP, he further credited it as a great platform for students home and abroad to experience the differences between Chinese culture and western culture and between the Chinese thinking pattern and western thinking pattern, thus developing cross-cultural communication and decision-making ability.

Press reports see below:

http://www.chinanews.com/edu/2014/07-01/6340083.shtml?flashget_edu_jsp

http://news.xinhuanet.com/yzyd/edu/20140701/c_1111409863.htm

http://edu.qq.com/a/20140701/066104.htm

http://news.163.com/14/0701/21/A03MK9IE00014JB6.html

http://news.hexun.com/2014-07-01/166219875.html?from=rss

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/hqgj/jryw/2014-07-01/content_11930354.html