Yunnan (TDI): On November 18, the “Explore Yunnan, Discover South Asia” Gen Z Dialogue on World Heritage Salon convened in Kunming, bringing together young representatives from China, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Participants, all part of Generation Z, shared insights and strategies for world heritage protection, fostering international exchange and collaboration.
This event was a key activity within the China International Friendship Cities Conference 2024, inaugurated on the same day.
It was organized by the Yunnan Branch of China News Service (Beijing) International Communication Group Co., Ltd., with support from the Yunnan Provincial Committee of the Communist Youth League of China, Yunnan University, Yunnan Normal University, the Institute of South Asian Studies at Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences, and the Dehong Prefectural Committee of the Communist Youth League of China.
Kishor Shrestha, Editor-in-Chief of Nepal’s Jana Aastha Weekly and Chairman of the Nepal-China Media Forum, delivered a video address highlighting Nepal’s rich heritage, including sites like Kathmandu Valley and Sagarmatha National Park.
Shrestha emphasized the need for collective responsibility in safeguarding these treasures, noting that international support was pivotal in post-earthquake reconstruction efforts, such as the restoration of the nine-story temple complex in Kathmandu Durbar Square with assistance from China and other nations.
Muhammad Asif Noor, Director of the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies, Islamabad, Pakistan, stressed the media’s critical role in conservation.
He remarked, “World heritage is a testament to human creativity, resilience, and diversity, yet it faces threats from climate change and urbanization. The media can inspire action through information, education, and engagement.”
He Shulin, representing the P&M Bureau of the World Cultural Heritage–Old Town of Lijiang, shared Lijiang’s success in preserving its authenticity and integrating culture, tourism, and technology.
The “Lijiang Model” was praised for balancing heritage preservation with tourism development, offering a template for global efforts.
The young representatives underscored the importance of cross-border cooperation and youth leadership in heritage protection.
Moond Ekta, an Indian student at Yunnan Normal University, highlighted threats to the Taj Mahal from air pollution, calling for a concerted effort involving governments, communities, and international organizations.
Sri Lankan student Thushie Movindahara Karunarathna advocated for cultural exchanges to enhance mutual understanding and efficiency in protection efforts. Meanwhile, Liu Kaylyn Yiping, an Indian student at Yunnan University, emphasized the need to balance development with the deeper cultural and ecological significance of heritage sites.
Nepalese student Karki Rajan proposed multilateral cooperation in resource sharing, training, and cultural management to address challenges like urbanization and climate change.
The event also featured insights from media and cultural experts. Miao Chao, a journalist from China News Service, shared his reporting experience on the Pu’er Jingmai Mountain Ancient Tea Forest Cultural Landscape, emphasizing its harmony-driven ecological ethics and cultural wisdom. Wang Yongcheng, Chairman of Yunnan Shanpin Culture and Art Co., Ltd., discussed creative approaches to heritage transformation, advocating for IPization, digitalization, and personalization.
He Hongmei, Director of the Institute of South Asian Studies at Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences, highlighted Generation Z’s potential to lead in cultural exchange and cooperation, owing to their openness and innovative thinking cultivated in the internet era.
This dialogue not only deepened international cooperation but also empowered young voices to champion world heritage protection, fostering a sustainable and inclusive future.
