On 1 September 2026, the Global Youth Dialogue Among Civilizations Alliance (GYDCA), in collaboration with the Beijing Youth Federation (BYF), organized the inaugural Sino-European Youth Dialogue Among Civilizations at UNESCO in Paris.
As GYDCA’s first event of the 2026–2027 academic year, the dialogue marked an important new chapter in the organization’s mission to foster mutual understanding, meaningful youth participation and cooperation across cultures.
Discovering GYDCA through interactive activities
The afternoon began with two interactive games designed to introduce the participants to GYDCA’s mission and recent work.
In a “True or False” activity, participants tested their knowledge of the Global Youth Correspondents Network (GYCN), a GYDCA initiative that enables young people to share the realities, perspectives and aspirations of their communities with an international audience.
A second “Match the Pairs” challenge invited them to connect several of GYDCA’s recent events with their corresponding descriptions. The students quickly immersed themselves in the activities, participating with great enthusiasm, curiosity and team spirit.
These games created a warm and dynamic atmosphere while allowing participants to understand how GYDCA transforms intercultural dialogue into concrete projects and opportunities for young people.
Opening the dialogue
Fany Tambiappa (GYDCA) opened the conference by welcoming the participants, presenting the members of the Beijing Youth Federation delegation and introducing GYDCA’s vision and activities.
Jing Zhang, Executive President of GYDCA, then guided participants through the key stages of the programme, introduced the different sessions and facilitated the transitions between speakers.
To make the exchanges accessible to everyone, an AI-powered interpretation tool provided live translation from Chinese into English. Xiaoyang Wang (GYDCA) monitored it brilliantly all along the day.
The Beijing Youth Federation delegation was represented by Zhang Zishen, Li Jianzhong, Huang Qingxin, Li Lei, Zhang Li and Yang Lei.
Young people at the heart of the conversation
The dialogue placed participants at the centre of the event. Students from Sciences Po, Université Paris-Panthéon-Assas and Sorbonne Université introduced themselves, shared their interests and asked the delegation questions about the opportunities available to international students and young professionals in Beijing.
Their questions explored education, entrepreneurship, professional development, cultural exchange and the possibilities for young Europeans to become involved in projects in China.
The Vice-President of the Beijing Youth Federation listened attentively and took detailed notes throughout the discussion. He expressed how impressed the delegation was by the students’ seriousness, preparation, ambition and openness to the world.
The delegation warmly encouraged them to visit Beijing, a vibrant international city offering numerous opportunities to young people who are ready to learn, innovate and build connections across cultures.
GYDCA extends its heartfelt thanks to the young participants: Constance Bodin, Arthur Gouëzigoux, Carla Cañero Jiménez, Subira Bediako, Antoine Héritier, Chloe Ots Ramada and María Belén Bitar. Their enthusiasm, curiosity and generosity brought the dialogue to life and made this first edition especially meaningful.
A symbolic gift from Beijing Youth Federation
The meeting was also marked by a meaningful gesture of cultural friendship. The delegation presented GYDCA with a work of Chinese calligraphy created by students from Beijing schools.
A new partnership for future generations
The event concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between GYDCA and the Beijing Youth Federation.
This agreement reflects the two organizations’ shared commitment to expanding international exchanges and creating new projects and opportunities for young people from different cultural backgrounds. It also establishes a strong foundation for future cooperation in areas such as youth dialogue, innovation, entrepreneurship, creative industries and international mobility.
The first edition of the Sino-European Youth Dialogue Among Civilizations demonstrated what can happen when young people are given the space to ask questions and listen to perspectives from beyond their own borders. Events such as this are at the very heart of GYDCA’s purpose: providing a platform for intercultural dialogue where young people are recognized not as mere beneficiaries of international discussions, but as active contributors shaping solutions.
It was a meaningful beginning to GYDCA’s 2026–2027 academic year.
