Chinese Youth Bring Stories of Volunteerism and Sustainable Development to the United Nations
NEW YORK, July 8 — Chinese youth volunteers shared innovative solutions for sustainable development and community service at a side event of the United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), highlighting how young people in China are contributing to global efforts to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The event, themed “Volunteering and Youth Leadership for a Sustainable Future,” was jointly organized by the Chongqing Land-Sea International Communication Foundation, the International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE), the Global Volunteer Forum, and Youth Future Asia Center. It brought together international experts, volunteer leaders and young representatives to exchange experiences and promote global cooperation through volunteerism.
David Styles, Global Coordinator of IAVE, moderated the discussion. Heather Sharp, Chair of the Global Volunteer Forum, emphasized that volunteerism is not simply an act of goodwill, but a vital foundation for building inclusive, resilient and sustainable societies. She called on governments and organizations to invest in volunteer infrastructure, strengthen local institutions, provide professional training and create supportive environments that enable volunteers to make lasting contributions.
Chinese Experience in Global Volunteer Cooperation
Chen Can, Deputy Secretary-General of the Chongqing Land-Sea International Communication Foundation, introduced China’s experience in international volunteer cooperation. The foundation has established partnerships with more than 180 nonprofit organizations across 42 countries, implementing volunteer initiatives in China, the United States, Thailand, Kenya and Tanzania.
Its programs—including City of Eagles, Land-Sea Partnership, and Reading for Rural Communities—focus on ecological conservation, cultural exchange, education, community development and international volunteer service. Through an integrated support system covering funding, volunteer training, international cooperation and operational standards, the foundation has organized more than 500 volunteer activities, engaging over 2,000 local volunteers and 700 international volunteers from more than 80 countries, contributing over 16,000 hours of community service.
The foundation also shared its practical model of connecting global partnerships with local community development and expressed its commitment to expanding international cooperation during the 2026 International Year for Volunteers.
Youth Innovation for Sustainable Development
One of the highlights of the forum was a series of presentations by Chinese youth volunteers, who demonstrated how innovation and civic engagement can contribute to solving global challenges.
Hu Hanrui, a student from the China University of Labor Relations, described how Chinese universities encourage volunteerism through academic credit, leadership programs and campus organizations, making community service an important part of student development.
Xu Anran, a high school student from Southwest University Affiliated High School, introduced “Urban Bird Whisperer,” an AI-powered digital platform that enables citizens to identify bird species by uploading photos. The platform combines artificial intelligence, cloud data and biodiversity mapping to help build a citywide ecological monitoring network while making nature conservation accessible to the public.
Lu Jingchao, a student from Shanghai Baoshan World Foreign Language School, shared his volunteer experience in protecting migratory birds. Inspired by the concept of recycling, he transformed collected marine debris into floating ecological islands that provide resting habitats for birds while reducing environmental pollution.
Other young speakers presented projects ranging from digital bird conservation platforms and cultural heritage education to ecological restoration and environmental protection, demonstrating how Chinese youth are translating local action into global solutions.
Youth Voices on the UN Stage
The participation of Chinese youth at the HLPF reflected the growing role of young volunteers in addressing global challenges through innovation, technology and community engagement. Their presentations illustrated how local initiatives can contribute to biodiversity conservation, public health, education and cultural preservation while advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
As one of the key activities marking the 2026 International Year for Volunteers, the delegation’s participation at UN Headquarters in New York provided an important platform for international dialogue and cooperation. By sharing their experiences with the global community, these young volunteers demonstrated China’s commitment to sustainable development and highlighted the power of youth leadership in building a more inclusive and sustainable future.
