Encourage youth to go worldwide
1. Youth Global Competence Development Program
From 2019 to 2020, the East & West International Education Research Institute conducted surveys at more than 20 universities and subsequently developed the “Youth Global Competence Development Program,” which was officially launched in October 2021. The “Youth Global Competence Development Program” is a youth competence training initiative approved by the China Education International Exchange Association and organized by the China Education International Exchange and Training Institute in collaboration with relevant institutions. The project is designed for young students at Chinese universities, oriented to meet future demand for talented youth, and aligned with universities’ goals for the internationalization of higher education. Through the “second classroom” initiative carried out in cooperation with these universities, the program aims to innovate training models and accelerate the development of high-level interdisciplinary talents with patriotic passion, global vision, and international competitiveness.
The “Youth Global Competence Development Program” is based on “knowledge imparting, ability training, and values shaping.” It adopts a “course + practice” training model, emphasizing practice-based education to enhance the international literacy of young people in the new era. The course content adheres to the principle of “care for one’s family and country, international understanding, and cross-cultural communication.” In designing practical activities, the program follows the principle of “alignment with course content, institutional needs, and students’ interests.” For talent training in international organizations, the program operates on the basic idea of progressing “from understanding to engagement,” employing a training model of “deepening cognition, enhancing competence, and providing internships.”
2. The 3×9-model of educational practice
The “Youth Global Competence Development Program” provides 9 elective courses, 9 series of lectures related to course themes, and 9 domestic and overseas practical activities closely aligned with the course content. The “course” consists of three modules: “Contemporary China,” “International Understanding,” and “Cross-cultural Communication.” The 9 elective courses and 9 series of lectures total approximately 160 hours, offering students flexible combinations. Practical activities are a key component of the program, including domestic and overseas research, in-depth visits, study tours, and internships. These activities aim to enhance young students’ ability to understand and respect multiculturalism, improve their cross-cultural communication skills, cultivate a global vision and a sense of responsibility, and inspire their curiosity and motivation for learning.
3. Increasingly significant effects upon implementation
Since its implementation in January 2021, the Youth Global Competence Development Program has been widely embraced by universities in China. Currently, more than 150 universities are participating in the project, including 67 “Double First-Class” universities and disciplines. Over 50 institutions have incorporated the program into their credit systems, and more than 10 universities, such as East China Normal University, Xi’an Jiaotong University, and Chengdu University, have established (or are establishing) “Training Bases (or Centers) for Youth Global Competence Training and Development” in accordance with the program’s implementation guidelines. More than 12,000 students have participated in the program, over 100,000 have attended related lectures, 3,000 have joined offline workshops and the “New Youth Lecture Hall,” and more than 1,200 have engaged in domestic and overseas practical activities (implemented in February 2023). Additionally, more than 10 students have secured internship opportunities, directly or indirectly through the program, at relevant United Nations agencies and other international organizations.
