The island of Hainan, China, hosted the grand Closing Ceremony of the 2024 Youth Innovation: Collaborating to Improve and Protect Our Planet (CIPP) campaign on December 8, 2024. This inspiring event brought together young innovators, mentors, and organizers to celebrate the contributions of youth to sustainability and environmental preservation.
The contest, organized by the International Centre for UNESCO ASPnet (ICUA) in partnership with UNESCO IITE, aimed to foster creativity and collaboration among children and young people worldwide to tackle global challenges such as climate change, marine and terrestrial ecosystem conservation, and sustainable urban development.
This year’s winners represented the diverse talent of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states and far beyond, with Grand Awards presented to participants from China, Kazakhstan, India, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and Russia. Alongside their achievements, the contest also celebrated the vital role of their mentors in guiding the young minds to success.
The ceremony featured speeches by representatives of ICUA (Prof. Wei Zhang, Executive Director of International Centre for UNESCO ASPnet; Prof. Desheng Gao, Director of ICI-ICUA Research base for ESD; Ms. Lulu Wang, Executive Director of ICI-ICUA Research Base for ESD; Ms. Mengyao Ren, Officer, ICI-ICUA Research Base for ESD), UNESCO IITE (Ms. Tatiana Shutova, UNESCO IITE Programme Specialist) and other key partners such as Mr. Charles Hopkins, UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Education towards Sustainability (Canada), Mr. Malik Amin Aslam Khan, Former Minister of Climate Change (Pakistan) and others, who praised the winners’ and participants’ efforts and encouraged continued innovation. “These young visionaries have shown us that age is no barrier to making a difference,” remarked one speaker. All speakers emphasized the importance of fostering international collaboration and nurturing the next generation of leaders in environmental preservation.
The program also included inspiring presentations by the winners from China, India, and Kazakhstan, who showcased their projects aimed at celebrating natural ecosystems, as well as reducing pollution and advancing renewable energy solutions. Their ideas not only highlighted the power of youth innovation but also underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing global challenges.
A special segment of the program was devoted to recognizing the mentors who guided and supported the participants throughout the contest. Their invaluable contributions in nurturing talent and providing expertise were celebrated with heartfelt gratitude.
Another highlight of the event was a Fair on Nature Preservation, where attendees could engage with interactive exhibits, learn about sustainable practices, and participate in hands-on activities designed to inspire environmental stewardship. The fair created a lively atmosphere of learning and celebration, reinforcing the central theme of the contest.
With the creative energy displayed in Hainan, the world can look forward to a brighter, greener tomorrow led by today’s youth. The 2024 CIPP Campaign was not just a celebration of achievements but also a rallying call to continue the journey toward a greener, more sustainable future.