By Brenda Nkosi.

China, Mana, and June 18: Youths from across the globe on Thursday participated in the 2024 International Youth Dialogue on World Cultural Heritage Protection organized by China.

Speaking during the opening ceremony in Yunnan, Secretary-General of Chinese National Commission for UNESCO, Qin Changwei said young people are full of youthful vitality and are the most open and inclusive group in society.

“The creativity and strength of young people are indispensable to meeting the challenges in the protection and utilization of world heritage,” he said.

He said over the years, China has actively carried out world heritage education for young people to help them build awareness and acquire the ability to protect cultural heritage.

“The Chinese National Commission for UNESCO will work with all parties to actively support youth participation in World Heritage conservation activities,” stressed Changwei.

Minister of the Embassy of Colombia in China, Jose Francisco Diaz said the participation of young people in the protection of world cultural heritage will help cultivate a new generation of guardians of cultural treasures and promote cultural exchanges and cooperation.

“Cultural heritage is the bridge that connects our past with the present and guides us into the future. The protection of world cultural heritage is a shared responsibility of all nations and communities.

“China has actively promoted international cooperation in the protection of cultural heritage, played a fundamental role in the protection of world cultural heritage and set a good example for other countries,” he said.

Former Vice President of China International Communications Group (CICG), Lu Cairong stressed the need to deepen international people-to-people exchange and cooperation and jointly build a global network of dialogue and cooperation on cultural heritage protection.

“To promote the deep integration of cultural and technology, and to empower cultural heritage with digital technology; it is necessary to build an international youth exchange platform and contribute to the protection and inheritance of cultural heritage,” he said.

Participants toured the east edge of Hengduan Mountain in the South West border area of China where the Honghe Hani terraced fields are located that was listed as World Cultural Heritage in 2013 for its water system, forest, mushroom shaped village houses and fields.