Global Sustainable Development Goals and Rural Revitalization: Global Perspectives and Local Practices

Global Sustainable Development Goals and Rural Revitalization: Global Perspectives and Local Practices

Date: December 14, 2024, 13:30-16:30 (Saturday)
Venue: United Nations Building, Grand Conference Room (No. 1, Liangmaqiao South Road)
Organizers: UNITAR SDGs Singapore Center, Tsinghua University Rural Revitalization Workstation

1. Event Background

Rural revitalization is a crucial component of China’s social development strategy, encompassing economic, social, cultural, and ecological dimensions. With the government’s strong support for rural revitalization, rural development has become a global focus. In the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), rural revitalization is not only a key part of China’s domestic development but also an essential element of global sustainable development. The SDGs provide a roadmap for global development, and in China’s rural revitalization process, these goals are seen as guiding principles for high-quality development across social, economic, and ecological domains. The integration of global experience with local practices is especially significant in areas such as green growth, rural education, and the protection of intangible cultural heritage.

This event aims to bring together domestic and international experts, scholars, and practitioners to share and discuss theories, policies, and experiences in rural revitalization. The goal is to explore how rural revitalization goals can be achieved within the framework of global sustainable development and to encourage youth participation, ultimately paving the way for the sustainable development of future rural areas.

2. Event Objectives

1. Share and Discuss: Introduce the theory and practice of the United Nations SDGs and rural revitalization, exploring the intersection of rural revitalization, sustainable development, and green growth.
2. Focus on Local Practices: Showcase China’s practical experience in rural revitalization, particularly in areas such as education, green design, and social innovation.
3. Promote Youth Participation: Delve into how youth can participate in rural revitalization, especially under the “leaving,” “returning,” and “building” models, to stimulate their innovative potential.
4. Enhance International Cooperation: Strengthen communication and cooperation among global partners through an international perspective, promoting cross-border knowledge sharing and joint development in the field of rural revitalization.

3. Event Significance

1. Promote SDG Implementation: Through the sharing of practical case studies and policy discussions, further deepen understanding and implementation of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, especially concerning rural revitalization and green growth.
2. Strengthen Global Cooperation and Learning: Enhance cooperation in the field of rural revitalization between domestic and international partners, fostering innovative practices in green growth, intangible cultural heritage protection, and more.
3. Empower Youth: Promote youth involvement in rural revitalization, fostering their development in social responsibility, innovative thinking, and cross-cultural communication, injecting more vitality into high-quality rural development.
4. Integrate Practice and Theory: Combine academic and practical experiences to provide valuable insights for policymakers, entrepreneurs, and educators, helping bridge theory and practice and enhancing the overall societal impact.

4. Agenda and Schedule

Hosts:

• Yang Fan (Deputy Director of the Rural Revitalization Operations Department, Tsinghua University, Secretary-General of the Youth Leadership and Rural Revitalization Committee, United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Leadership Development Center)
• Deng Xuepeng (Secretary-General of the International Understanding and Model United Nations Committee, United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Leadership Development Center)

13:30-13:35 Opening Remarks by Organizers
Yunyan Ge (Senior Advisor, UNITAR SDGs Singapore Center Secretariat, Former Assistant Resident Representative, UNDP China) will briefly introduce the background and goals of this event, and welcome both domestic and international attendees.

13:35-13:50 Keynote Address: UN SDGs and Rural Revitalization

• Content: Invite renowned domestic and international experts to share their insights on the relationship between rural revitalization and the SDGs, and discuss how international cooperation can drive rural revitalization and SDG achievement.
• Speakers:
  • Shahbaz Khan (Director, UNESCO Beijing Office, online)
  • Wang Shaoqi (Senior Consultant, United Nations SDGs and Leadership Development Center, Former Director-General of International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Science and Technology)
  • Xu Xiuli (Dean, College of International Development and Global Agriculture, China Agricultural University)

13:50-15:00 Thematic Sharing — Multi-dimensional Exploration of Rural Revitalization

Module 1: Rural Revitalization Practices

• Theme 1: Rural Revitalization and Agricultural Modernization: The Integration of Policy and Practice
• Speaker: Liu Jinlong (Professor, School of Agricultural and Rural Development, Renmin University of China)
• Theme 2: Education and Social Interaction in Township Development under the Context of Common Prosperity
  Speaker: Yang Yao (Secretary-General, Education Working Group, Taizhou Municipal Committee, CCP)
• Theme 3: Practices in Rural Famous School Construction in Municipal Regions
  Speaker: Lingyun Zhao (Executive Vice President, Taizhou Education Association)
• Theme 4: Exploring New Models of Rural Revitalization Service Stations (Case Study of Weishan)
  Speaker: Jijian Jiang (Vice Chairman, People’s Congress of Weishan Island Town, Shandong Province)

Module 2: Global Perspectives

• Theme 1: Theory and Practice of Global Green Growth (Online)
  Speaker: Xinxing Li (Senior Advisor, Global Green Growth Institute)
• Theme 2: Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection and Rural Revitalization
  Speaker: TBC (UNESCO China Office)
• Theme 3: “SheX Digital Future” Project Experience
  Speaker: TBC (UNDP China)
• Theme 4: Green Design and Rural Development
  Speaker: Shuli BI (Assistant to Secretary-General, World Green Design Organization)

Module 3: Youth Participation and Rural Revitalization Practices

• Theme 1: Logical Thinking on Youth Participation in High-quality Rural Development — Based on “Leaving,” “Returning,” and “Building” Models
  Speaker: Fan Yang (Deputy Director, Operations Department, Tsinghua University Rural Revitalization Workstation)
• Theme 2: Tsinghua University Rural Practice Experience
  Speaker: Yingzi Qiao (Automation Major Student, Tsinghua University)
• Theme 3: Youth Volunteer Services and SDG Education in Rural Areas
  Speaker: Xiaocong Yan (Asdan)
• Theme 4: Social Innovation Practices and Rural Revitalization
  Speaker: Rui Zhang (Qichuang Center)

15:00-16:20 Roundtable Discussion — In-depth Interactive Exchange
The discussion groups will focus on innovative models and challenges in rural revitalization, inviting experts, scholars, and practitioners to explore the future development directions of rural revitalization.

Discussion Group 1:

• Shaoqi Wang (Senior Advisor, UNITAR SDGs Singapore Center, Former Director-General of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, Former Director of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Science and Technology)
• Xu Xiuli (Dean, College of International Development and Global Agriculture, China Agricultural University)
• Shuhan Yang (Market Director, Cultural Creative Department, Palace Museum)
• TBC (UNESCO China Office)
• Chen Shi (Secretary of the Communist Party, Weishan Island Town, Shandong Province)
• Jijian Jiang (Vice Chairman, People’s Congress of Weishan Island Town)
• Yang Yao (Secretary-General, Education Working Group, Taizhou Municipal Committee)
• Wei Ming Jin (Former Secretary, Henghu Primary School, Taizhou)
• Zhongshan Mao (Tsinghua University Student, 2025 Team Leader, Liangdang Practice Group, Gansu)
• Yiru Wang (Tsinghua University Student, 2025 Team Leader, Qinxian Practice Group, Shanxi)
• Xiaocong Yan (Asdan)

Discussion Group 2:

• Liu Jinlong (Professor, School of Agricultural and Rural Development, Renmin University of China)
• TBC (UNDP)
• Wenjing WU (Director,International Cooperation,World Green Design Organization)
• Qiang Zheng (Deputy Director, Social Security Center, Weishan, Shandong)
• Xiangyang Tian (Deputy Director-Genera,Organization Department, Weishan County, Shandong)
• Qing Xia (General Manager, Zhejiang BenTi Education Technology Co., Ltd.)
• Wenqin Jin (Teaching Researcher, Taizhou Education Research Institute, Zhejiang)
• Lingyun Zhao (Executive Vice President, Taizhou Education Association)
• Yingzi Qiao (Tsinghua University Student, 2025 Team Leader, Minhe Practice Group, Qinghai)
• Ming Ouyang (Tsinghua University Student, 2025 Team Leader, Tiantai Practice Group, Zhejiang)
• Rui Zhang (Qichuang Center)

16:20-16:30 Closing Remarks
Summarizing the outcomes and discussions of the event and looking forward to future cooperation and actions in rural revitalization and sustainable development.