The First Beijing International Youth Forum hosted by the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies and the Information Office of Beijing Municipality was held in Beijing on December 17th. This forum aims to build a platform for young people at home and abroad to exchange their thoughts, improve mutual learning and enhance friendship. Seven universities in Beijing participated in this event. Jia Wenjian, Deputy Party Secretary and Vice President of our university, Abdilahi Ismail Abdilahi, a Somali teacher from the School of African Studies, BFSU, and Zhuo Yue, a Belarusian student from the School of German Studies, BFSU, took part in this forum.

Zhuo Yue, as a foreign player, once participated in the Korfball U19 World Championship together with other Chinese teammates in 2017. She, on behalf of the Beijing Foreign Studies University, participated in the second sub-forum, with the theme of “Olympic Spirit & A New Generation of Youth”, and delivered a speech titled “World Civilization and Sportsmanship”. In her speech, Zhuo Yue elaborated the rules of Korfball.

According to Zhuo Yue’s speech, Korfball represents the national ball of the Netherlands. It’s also the only kind of ball game allowing both men and women to compete on the same court. There are four men and four women for each team. Players are not supposed to dribble or walk with the ball. Teammates can cooperate only through passing. Though not included in the Olympic events, Korfball is in accordance with the Olympic spirits, which require mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.

Zhuo Yue’s sharing resonated with the audience. AsKorfball competition, Olympic Games is a peace symbol connecting people from all over the world. The Olympic Games provide opportunities for all countries to compete in a peaceful way and to spread the Olympic spirits. The Winter Olympic Games of 2022 will be held in China and will provide a great platform for dialogue and exchange between young people from around the world.

The Vice President Jia concluded in his closing remarks that youth represent the future of the country and international cooperation. Youth are the pillar of sustainable development of the world. The greatest wealth of the world is the young people. Young people can experience mutual appreciation of civilizations through their study and work, promote friendly cooperation between China and other countries step by step, and participant in the global governance process so as to build a better world.