UNESCO International Youth Forum: Sharing my Story and Building Connections
November 21, 2024By Malika Gizzat, 2023 Future Blue Youth Council Member
Picture this: 60 global activists dancing to Shakira’s “Waka Waka” under the rain on one of China’s largest and oldest city walls, with a local citizen jumping in to join the dance. This was the essence of UNESCO’s International Youth Forum 2024.
Hi, I am Malika, a 2023 Future Blue Youth Council Member, and an environmental activist dedicated to achieving environmental justice and cultural inclusivity. In September, I went on a fully funded 6-day trip to China to attend the International Youth Forum on Creativity and Heritage. It’s an annual event organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) that promotes cross-cultural exchanges and cooperation among the youth of Belt and Road countries and beyond. This year, the forum was held from September 22-28 in Changsha and Nanjing with the theme, “Reimagining Our Heritage: Stories of Resilience and Transformation,” aimed to encourage young people worldwide to engage in innovative ways to protect our cultural heritage.
I was honored to be selected as one of the 60 global participants out of 1300+ applicants aged 18 to 32 and I will be sharing my experience with the Bow Seat community in this blog post!
On our first day, we wore our traditional clothes and took part in a cultural event during which we got to know one another and learn some fascinating facts about each other’s countries. During the next few days, we had a chance to meet several UNESCO and government officials, and listen to them present their projects on the innovative protection of global cultural heritage. We also visited various museums, art installations, and Chinese cultural heritage sites at both Changsha and Nanjing where we got a mesmerizing glimpse into the past and an opportunity to connect with the rich cultural heritage of China. During one of our excursions, we engaged in DIY activities where we created traditional Chinese crafts such as bamboo boards, origami, and other handmade items. Oh, we also danced to Shakira on top of Nanjing City Walls during one of our excursions!
You can watch this vlog I made from the trip to see how each of our days went in detail!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1z1fXzKRcxGSCZk0AznVXY_qq_czy9vV-/view?usp=sharing
Then, we participated in our youth sharing session called “Reimagining our Past, Inspiring Our Future” where we delivered presentations about the preservation of our cultural heritage. The main goal of these presentations was to share stories about our cultural heritage while also proposing creative ways to preserve it for future generations. I thoroughly enjoyed every presentation and felt so grateful to mentally visit so many different countries with their help! In my presentation, I used storytelling to shine a light on the disappearance of the Aral Sea, a national and natural heritage in my country. I also talked about the magazine my SeeAralSea team created to raise international visibility of Central Asian cultural heritage, mentioning the importance of youth voices in such spaces.
Here, I also had the opportunity to highlight Bow Seat and its innovative approach to preserving global natural heritage through young people’s art. I showcased some of the amazing art pieces created by young people, and shared Bow Seat’s incredible initiatives, which amplify youth voices and use creativity as a powerful tool for environmental conservation.
In the span of these 6 days, we gained valuable knowledge and took part in countless activities, but most importantly, we forged connections that transcended age differences and backgrounds. Each of the 60 global participants felt like part of something special—a united group of activists working toward a shared goal. In our conversations, we found ourselves deeply bonded by shared passions and discovered many things we had in common. After hearing others present their projects on preserving cultural heritage, I realized that many of our challenges are similar, and these international connections allow us to learn from each other and find ways to implement these solutions all around the globe.
Despite being the youngest participant in the Forum, I never felt excluded or underestimated – I’ve learned so much from all the members and felt inspired by the people I was surrounded with. Although I felt very anxious to present my speech and talk to adults, I felt really grateful and honored to stand alongside such accomplished individuals. This trip definitely helped me overcome my stage fright and social anxiety. So, to all the young people who might doubt themselves before applying to or going to different conferences – this is your sign to let go of those fears. Such experiences (despite making you get out of your comfort zone) are the most insightful and memorable ones! Don’t miss out on them only because you underestimate yourself and your abilities!
I will forever cherish the memories we created during these unforgettable 6 days and will definitely incorporate all the knowledge I gained in my future conservation projects! Thank you to UNESCO and all the organizers for this incredible event, and thank you Bow Seat for giving me an opportunity to share my reflection on this event!
