World needs to hear the voice of young people

Reaction to open letter on the South China Sea arbitration shows need for professionals to speak up
Just take a look at what happened around the world while I was busying myself in a project to allow the voices of professional young people to be heard on the South China Sea arbitration case at The Hague.
A terrorist attack in Nice, a tranquil city in France; a failed military coup in Turkey; all coming on top of the uncertainties brought by the British vote to leave the European Union and the US presidential election, and the ongoing struggles of African nations and interference in Asian harmony.
What will the world be like in the future?
The answer is in the hands of young people. As a representative of Chinese youths studying in Western society, I have direct experience of how people in the West perceive us, and vice versa.
Having traveled to more than 60 cities in 13 European countries, I have been deeply impressed by the rich culture and history presented through architecture and museum displays. The academic setting with professional training and the international environment with colleagues from diversified backgrounds has widened my horizons and enriched my perspective. For me, the information is overwhelming each and every day.
However, communication is not always mutual. What we know about the West is disproportionately far more than what the West knows of us. Chinese people are often stereotypically seen as reserved and shy, even mysterious and unpredictable. This is mostly attributed to the teaching of Confucius that "a man of integrity acts smart but speaks cautiously".
Teachers for master's programs will find Chinese students good at homework but less impressive during class debates, which are simply not part of our culture.
Indeed, we Chinese find it amusing and innovative when the presidential candidates debate fiercely over political issues and deliver public speeches on their political beliefs. This is not the way to do politics in China. To speak on a platform to attract attention is not always the proper thing to do in the Chinese context, especially when you're not senior enough.
So we kept quiet when we started work on an open letter to the South China Sea arbitration panel three months ago. We polished our wording at least 10 times before it took shape shortly before the tribunal ruling on July 12. We concluded in the 12-page open letter that this was a political drama rather than a being professional arbitration.
To my utmost surprise, I've received much encouragement from senior professors and practitioners, including one professor of law from Cambridge University, after news about the open letter spread domestically and internationally.
Within 24 hours, the full text of the open letter received nearly 10,000 hits on our WeChat (social media) platform. More than 70 other student associations and media, including the Los Angeles Times, publicized the full text. Our websites, established with help from volunteers, attracted more than 20,000 signatures within hours. It was an unexpected hit.
Our team, composed of doctoral candidates and master's students in international law from all over the Netherlands, received instant attention from domestic and international media.
Now the award of the tribunal has been issued, and our understanding of the case has been delivered to the world. Some people have asked, what is the use of your letter when you know the result will not change? Well, I have to say that it's the categorical imperative of a scholar to do research and to let voices be heard, no matter whether it will change things or not.
Undoubtedly, we have made a difference by stirring people's interest in this case, calling attention to international law, spreading our understanding of the situation, and engaging millions of people with this action. It is no longer our open letter - it has become the open letter of millions of people.
This may be the end of the arbitration, but it signified a beginning of professional youths participating in global governance, using our courage and knowledge to think critically about what is considered to be authority, to challenge mainstream thoughts, and to question the judicial expansion in international society.
A truly democratic international society requires the participation of young people with diversified backgrounds, with professional perspectives, and with passion and capabilities. You will witness an increasing number of professional young people stand up beyond their own culture and comfort zone, like we do, to actively participate in the democratization process of the international community, to alleviate the existing stereotypes and bias, and to enhance cross-cultural communication and mutual understanding.
Then you will see a world with less violence and less hatred.
The author is a PhD candidate on international law at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
(China Daily European Weekly 07/22/2016 page13)
Today's Top News
- Beijing supports Tehran in maintaining dialogue
- Stabilizing global supply chains vital to intl market
- Visa facilitation steps boost number of foreign visitors
- Japan hypes excuse for its military build-up: China Daily editorial
- Philippine defense secretary's remarks undermine regional peace efforts
- Mainland strongly opposes Lai's planned 'transit' through US