Youth Perspective: U.S. youth's view on 'people-centered approach'

On September 1, 2025, Chinese President Xi Jinping introduced the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) during the "Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Plus" Meeting in Tianjin. In his speech at the summit, Xi outlined the core principles of the initiative, which include respecting sovereign equality, adhering to international law, promoting multilateralism, supporting a people-centered approach, and emphasizing practical actions.

Gen Z from the United States, Syria, Palestine, and Vietnam – drawing on their respective national backgrounds, educational experiences, and life observations – shared their insights on global governance practices focused on the five aspects of the initiative.

In this episode, American youth Kyle Sykes shares his view on the "people-centered approach" and defines it as follows: "A people-centered approach means the government's decisions are judged by whether they protect lives, reduce inequality, and create shared prosperity." He cites China's poverty alleviation program as an example to show how the country effectively applies the Global Governance Initiative's people-centered principle.