A 100-member Chinese delegation is heading for Brussels early on Sunday to attend a series of launch events of the 2011 EU-China Year of Youth, an exchange project co-hosted by All-China Youth Federation and European Commission.
Young delegates from universities, youth organizations, education sphere, press and international businesses across China are set to meet their European counterparts in a host of themed seminars and ceremonies in Brussels, Brugge and Luxembourg during the 6-day stay.
Zhou Yaqiong, a student from China's Southwest University for Nationalities, member of the Chinese delegation, poses for a photo before boarding the flight to Brussels at Beijing Capital International Airport, January 9, 2011. [Photo: courtesy of EU-China Year of Youth 2011]
Youth representatives from both sides will deliver speeches and exchange ideas and experiences on topics including volunteering, youth mobility, education, culture and creativity at scheduled seminars.
20 university students, selected from winners of a writing competition in April last year, are the youngest among the Chinese delegates.
"They run their youth organizations rather differently from the way we do. They are more independent in finance while ours rely heavily on governmental funds. I’ve seen some of their youth group leaders in Shanghai and I think they have a better understanding of volunteering. Their way of running an organization inspired me," said Chen Zhijun, a Tsinghua University junior who's been active in youth volunteering.
"My previous knowledge about Europe is gained through limited ways such as books and the Internet, but this time I will be able to experience in person the real life in Europe," said Chen Wenzhe, a post graduate from Zhongshan University. "I teach Chinese to international students and I notice that we tend to stereotype people from different cultures, yet we do have a lot in common. I'd like to send a message that today's young people are aspiring, passionate, eager to explore the unknown and insightful to social problems, " she added.
2011 was designated as the EU-China Year of Youth at the 12th EU-China Summit in Nanjing on 30 November 2009. It is aimed to enhance bilateral ties on youth issues.
Androulla Vassiliou, EU Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, and Wang Xiao, President of the All-China Youth Federation will officially launch the 2011 EU-China Year of Youth in Brussels on Tuesday, following Chinese delegation's Monday meeting at European Youth Forum.
