Four undergraduate students, Chen Haowen, Wang Shuke, Jia Tianyue, and Wang Luying, from Zhejiang University-University of Illinois Urbana Champaign Institute (ZJUI) were selected for the Zhejiang University's "Youth Global Competence Training Project," with only 40 students selected after teaching review, ideological review, and comprehensive ability interview. This winter vacation, they went to UN Headquarters and Offices in Geneva and Vienna and conducted a 10-day field exchange program.
The "Youth Global Competence Training Project" is a new-era youth international competence training project established by the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE), a directly affiliated unit of the Ministry of Education, in conjunction with relevant units, for domestic university students. “UN Headquarters and Offices in Geneva and Vienna Field Exchange Program” is one of the series of practical activities of this project. The project leads students to conduct field research and learning at major United Nations headquarters and offices through cooperation with international organizations, creating opportunities for students to directly participate in international organization exchange and practice. Through this project, students can engage in high-intensity immersive training under the guidance of senior officials from international organizations of the United Nations, engage in exchanges with UN officials on various international issues, explore the overall structure and work mode of international organizations, conduct course learning and field research activities, motivate young students to contribute their wisdom, expand their international perspective, enhance international understanding, and enhance global competence.
Experience Sharing from participating students
Chen Haowen
26’Mechanical Engineering
We have visited United Nations agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), among which the one that left the deepest impression on me was the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). UNHCR is an agency within the United Nations responsible for protecting and supporting refugees, with the aim of ensuring that anyone can exercise their right to seek and enjoy asylum. In the process of understanding the basic situation of refugees worldwide, I feel the efforts made by the international community to assist refugees who have been displaced on a large scale due to war, persecution, or violence. Despite limited resources, they are still tirelessly committed to providing humanitarian assistance to those in need without discrimination and contributing to the long-term cause of global peace and stability.
During the project, we also conducted simulated GTG (Green the Globe) discussions, where every two to three people represented a country and voted to modify a draft resolution related to climate issues. Each amendment alone required several hours of repeated revisions, and behind each amendment was a defense of one's own national power. During the GTG (Green the Globe) process, I personally experienced the complexity and urgency of handling international affairs. The amendment needs to be based on national interests, but more often than not, it requires continuous consultation and communication with other countries. It can be said that United Nations has always provided a stable platform for many developing countries to voice their rights, and the United Nations and various international organizations still hold an indispensable position today.
Jia Tianyue
26’Mechanical Engineering
The trip to Vienna was an unforgettable journey in my life, as well an exploratory journey full of gains and insights. As an important site of the United Nations, Vienna carries the important responsibility of the United Nations in global affairs. During my visits to agencies and offices such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the U.N. Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention (UNODC), I deeply appreciated the efforts made by the United Nations in promoting global development and maintaining international peace and security. In my communication with UN officials, I not only learned about their job responsibilities and daily lives, but also deeply felt their sense of responsibility and mission in international affairs. Their words and actions all demonstrate the demeanor and responsibility of international civil servants, making me full of respect and admiration for the work of the United Nations. In my interactions with diplomats and international organization staff, I have felt the urgency of international cooperation and the importance of cross-cultural exchange, and I have learned how to seek consensus and cooperation in diversity. These valuable experiences not only broadened my horizons, but also inspired my determination to contribute my efforts to international affairs. I firmly believe that in the future, I will continue to work hard to learn and grow, and contribute to building a more peaceful, stable, and prosperous world.
Wang Shuke
26’Electrical Engineering
During this winter vacation, I had the privilege of participating in the training project in Vienna and gaining a deeper understanding of this city full of artistic atmosphere. During my field visits to the United Nations, I listened to speeches and activities from various organizations, including the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the U.N. Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), and the U.N. Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention (UNODC). In addition, I actively participated in activities such as GTG (Green the Globe) discussion and group presentations, which not only enhanced my cross-cultural communication skills, but also enhanced my expression and teamwork abilities. In the communication with peers from different regions and universities, I not only learned a lot of new knowledge, but also made many like-minded friends, which is of great significance for my growth and development. In the future, I will continue to work hard to improve my professional and cross-cultural communication skills, and be fully prepared for my future development.
Wang Luying
26’Computer Engineering
In the exchange project, we listened to lectures from officials from different UN departments, learned more about theoretical concepts and the operational methods of the United Nations, and actively expressed ourselves in simulated UN sessions and group presentations. Through these different forms of activities, I not only exercise my courage, improve my English oral expression and collaboration skills, but also enhance my understanding of different cultures. Among them, in the interaction with United Nations officials, we have the opportunity to ask them questions up close and understand their experiences and perspectives in promoting global affairs. These exchanges not only stimulated my enthusiasm for further learning and participation in international affairs, but also helped me gain a deeper understanding of the importance of combining personal abilities with global issues to contribute to promoting global sustainable development. As the future masters of society, I always believe that we need to pay more attention to global issues and strive to take on social responsibility. As a student in computer discipline, perhaps in the future, I can focus on human health, immerse myself in the interdisciplinary field of "information x medicine," and help patients by introducing technological means into medical equipment or treatment processes. Although this is just an idea, I will work tirelessly with a spirit of benefiting mankind, making it the driving force and guide for my future development.
This project focuses on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), selecting outstanding university students to form a team and visiting the United Nations headquarters to gain a close understanding of the work, goals, and achievements of international organizations, and to have face-to-face exchanges with current officials. During this process, ZJUI students gained a deeper understanding of the work and mission of the United Nations, actively contributing the power of Chinese youth to promote the sustainable goals of the United Nations and spreading the voice of Chinese youth.
In the future, ZJUI will continue to focus on the cultivation goal of "educating innovators in engineering and leaders of tomorrow", taking the world as our own responsibility and truth as our ultimate goal, further leveraging the characteristics of international engineering future leader cultivation, improving the quality of outstanding and top-notch student cultivation, encouraging more students to showcase their truth-seeking spirit on the international stage, and contributing ZJUI's strength to global governance, sustainable development, and building a community with a shared future for mankind.
