Thank you to everyone who made the inaugural Youth Forum for Diversity and Leadership 2015 a great success! Stay tuned and check back for updates on how we plan to make next year's forum even more meaningful and impactful.
With a focus on (but certainly not limited to) China, our forum seeks to engage people of all paths of life in dialogue about social responsibility, youth leadership, and peace. You will hear from guest speakers and student leaders with unique backgrounds and experiences across the globe, and participate in workshops on topics ranging from gender equality and the power of perception, Confucianism and global awareness, and more! Furthermore, you will gain the skills and support network to initiate your own projects that drive positive social impact.
This event is a Clinton Global Initiative University commitment-to-action sponsored by Georgetown International Relations Association. You will be making history as a participant in the first event of this kind in China.
A proud United World College alumnus, Kathleen is currently studying at Georgetown School of Foreign Service in Washington, D.C. Growing up in Canada, China, and Singapore has fostered her passion for culture & politics, economic development, and law. She has worked with microfinance efforts in India, facilitated a peacebuilding initiative in Sri Lanka, and researched human rights issues in China. At Georgetown, Kathleen actively works with various school publications and Model United Nations conferences. Kathleen is the forum's founder and executive director, and co-led workshops on East vs. West relations and gender equality this year.
Jenny is going into her second year at McGill University, majoring in Political Science and History. Her international upbringing has inspired her to continue to learn about the diverse cultures, history and politics of the world. Jenny is currently a writer for McGill’s foreign affairs journal McGill International Review, with a focus on Central and East Asia. She is also interested in issues concerning international security and labour rights. Jenny designed the forum website and co-led a workshop on migrant workers and inequality in China at this year's forum.
Siyu is entering her sophomore year at Rhode Island School of Design, majoring in Illustration and minoring in History of Art. Her multicultural upbringing has formed her passion for issues concerning art and socio-political development in the post-World War II era and the 21st century. She is looking forward to bring her critical thinking skill and innovation into global peacemaking. Siyu was the China marketing director and photographer for this year's forum.
Wenbin is a freshman from Silliman College, Yale University. He is interested in cross-cultural studies with a special focus on the intellectual tradition of China. Wenbin now serves as the Secretary and Web Master of Amnesty International Yale Chapter. Wenbin is also an active contributor to Yale China Hands, a student publication at Yale that focuses on issues related to China. He wishes to become an academic and a human rights activist in the future. Wenbin delivered a lecture on the intersections of Confucianism and Cosmopolitanism at this year's forum.
Zeya is currently studying at Ecole Hotelier de Lausanne (EHL) and interning in Lucerne, Switzerland. Raised by a multi-ethnic-family and having studied at United World College of South East Asia (Singapore), Zeya has always been fascinated by various cultures and worked towards being an international contributor and change-maker. Zeya considers herself a future hotelier with a strong passion for international issues and peacemaking - because who says you can't have two dreams at once? Zeya delivered an interactive presentation on gender equality in China at this year's forum.
We are not, in any way whatsoever, trying to disrupt the domestic politics of China, or call for radical change. We are focused on providing Chinese youth with leadership, collaboration and social responsibility skills that will make them agents of peace in their communities. We highly condone radical action that disrupts the status quo. We believe that promoting peace should be a sustainable endeavor that involves cooperation from all parties.
We are not politicians or social activists. We are university students hailing from all over the world, passionate about international affairs and helping the world become a more peaceful place. We may be planning and facilitating this conference, but participants should always see us as mentors and fellow peers instead of leaders and/or teachers. Many of the conference facilitators are studying Chinese, and this is a learning experience for us, too!