Forum introduces youth sustainable development initiative

An initiative aimed at promoting collaboration and resource sharing among educational institutions to advance the education of young people for sustainable development has recently been launched in Beijing.

The China Soong Ching Ling Science and Culture Centre for Young People, the National Maritime Museum of China, the Henan Science and Technology Museum, the Xinjiang Nature Museum, the Dunhuang Academy and the Beijing Auto Museum are among the first group of institutions to participate in the initiative.

These venues will share educational resources and experiences, as well as collaboratively develop educational programs and activities for young people in a bid to inspire their active involvement in learning and practicing sustainable development. Meanwhile, a series of exchange programs will be organized to enhance mutual understanding and learning among young people from different regions and backgrounds.

Xu Jincao, deputy director of the experience center at the China Soong Ching Ling Science and Culture Centre for Young People, notes that, since the introduction of the "double reduction" policy by the central authorities in 2021, which aims to alleviate the burden of excessive homework and tuition on young students, various educational venues have provided young people with more enriching learning experiences and practical opportunities, playing an increasingly important role in quality education.

The center has offered educational resources and activity spaces for more than 200,000 students from various age groups and more than 300 schools.

Among these resources, courses targeting children aged between 3 and 8 seek to help them discover their strengths, interests and personal traits through interactive activities. These courses include scientific enlightenment, immersive drama, physical health, cognitive training, and safety protection, among others, Xu explains.