Forum hails cities' role in fostering youth development

An initiative aimed at enhancing the voices and participation of young people in urban development was released on Tuesday in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, on the second day of the World Youth Development Forum.

The Shenzhen Initiative for Youth Development calls for cities to value youth as a "precious resource" for urban development, foster a more conducive atmosphere and create broader platforms for youth participation, and promote international collaboration among young individuals to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

The World Youth Development Forum is taking place both in-person and online from Monday to Wednesday in Beijing and Shenzhen.

On Tuesday in Shenzhen, Xu Xiao, president of the All-China Youth Federation, emphasized the vital role young people play in ensuring sustainable urban development.

"This is especially true in the digital economy era, where global cities must join hands in prioritizing the prospects of young people," Xu said.

Yu Xinguo, deputy secretary of the Shenzhen Committee of the Communist Party of China, said that Shenzhen, being a youthful and vibrant city, is committed to creating an environment that's well suited for youth development, with the primary principle of giving precedence to the needs and aspirations of the young.

Nsama Patrick Mpundu, speaker of the Third Southern Africa Development Community Youth Parliament, praised China's role in facilitating the youth development via the forum.

"The establishment of the World Youth Development Forum serves as a shining example of how young leaders worldwide can be groomed and empowered to play pivotal roles in global affairs and decision-making processes," he said.

At the forum in Shenzhen, leaders and scholars from various cities were invited to share their approaches to youth development.

Wu Qingwen, mayor of Suzhou in Jiangsu province, said it has embedded youth-related elements throughout its urban planning and management.

Qin Hong, director of the Urban Renewal Research Center at Renmin University of China, said that the "youth are a pivotal driving force for urban economic growth and the most valuable asset for urban development. Constructing cities that are open and inclusive serves as a catalyst for youth development."

Wang Kai, president of the China Academy of Urban Planning and Design, highlighted six crucial dimensions, including housing and sports that are essential for youth development in urban areas.

"The government's role in ensuring ample space for young people and guaranteeing that they can reap the benefits of urban economic and social progress is important because by creating an environment where young people can thrive, learn, and contribute to the development of their cities and countries helps ensure a more prosperous and harmonious future for all members of society," Wang said.

Wang Tianhuai contributed to this story.