Young voices for peace and sustainability

On July 29, Beijing became a magnet for young people from nearly every corner of the globe.

The World Youth Conference for Peace, held at the prestigious Peking University, brought together more than 3,000 young delegates from over 130 countries across five continents.

These individuals were united by a common vision: peace.

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message to the conference, calling on young people to champion the vision of peace, and contribute to peaceful development and the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

Meanwhile, the 5th China-Africa Future Leaders' Dialogue has also gathered young leaders to discuss how youth can promote peace-building and green partnerships.

What role can young people play in shaping a more peaceful and sustainable world?

Ntsoaki Agnes Matela, Third Secretary at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Lesotho in China and Wang Gang, a Ph.D. student at Tsinghua University, share their opinions.

Youth as drivers of peace

In his message to the World Youth Conference for Peace, President Xi Jinping stressed that the future of peace lies with the youth, voicing the hope that young friends from all countries will take this event as an opportunity to exchange ideas, enhance mutual understanding and build friendships.

Both Wang and Matela said President Xi's message highlighted the importance of young people in peace building. They will heed the call and shoulder the responsibilities to drive world peace to promote development.

Young people's potential

Many African delegates brought forward concerns about youth unemployment, inequality, and social inclusion. Matela noted: "Africa's young generation is eager to shape a better future, but we need inclusive platforms and partnerships that recognize our potential."

Meanwhile, Wang emphasized the importance of youth-led innovation: "With the world moving towards AI, robotics, and new technologies, young people are at the forefront of this revolution. We need to channel their energy into constructive solutions for peace and development."

Green partnerships: A new chapter

The 5th China-Africa Future Leaders Dialogue highlighted how green development is intertwined with peace and stability. Participants toured eco-parks and smart manufacturing zones in Jinhua and Beijing to observe how China integrates climate goals with rural revitalization and urban sustainability.

"Green cooperation is not just about the environment," Matela said. "It's about creating sustainable livelihoods that reduce conflict and build trust between nations."

Shared vision for the future

Both China and African nations stressed the importance of people-to-people connections. "Youth are not just leaders of tomorrow. They are leaders of today," Matela remarked. "Our role is to turn the vision of peace and sustainability into reality, through action and collaboration."