It’s time to listen to the voice of youth

Youth voices need to be heard, especially in these times when the global landscape is changing at a rapid pace. Certainly, while some young people have chosen to “stay flat”, giving up the race to build a better career, most young people still aspire to a better life and become the main force of global communication in the age of media. social.

In particular, the potential of Generation Z, i.e. those born between 1995 and 2009, should not be underestimated. As the first social generation to grow up with access to the internet and portable digital technology, Gen Z have been dubbed the “digital natives” and make up around 24% of the world’s population.

In order to bridge the global gap between countries, people need to learn more about different cultures and characteristics of young people in different countries, and find the best way to establish and pursue intercultural communication in the context of complexities and difficulties. growing uncertainties around the world.

Compared to other generations, Gen Z sees social media as the best source of information and the best channel to connect with each other.

Considering these facts, China should develop new communication channels and help Chinese young people develop new communication skills to better introduce Chinese culture to their counterparts in other countries.

The greatest wealth and greatest strength of any nation is its youth. Leaders should therefore create international exchange programs to enhance the individual and social development of young people, as those who participate in such activities are more likely to meet and befriend young people from other countries and cultures. , which could influence the rest of their lives.

A good example of such programs are the people-to-people exchange events that the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Youth League organizes every year, which allows foreign students to attend seminars and participate in different activities, even to live with a host family to better understand Chinese culture.

Currently, online programs are being held to help young Chinese and foreigners feel connected amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, innovative ideas should be used to boost international exchanges for Generation Z, so that they can promote traditional Chinese culture across the world during the pandemic.

The key to establishing good communication with teenagers is to speak in a way that is familiar and comfortable to them. It is important to provide them with down-to-earth information, tell exciting stories, and help them develop deep affection for Chinese culture and solve the problem of cultural communication.

Foreign students studying in China can also help promote Chinese culture around the world, especially because they have a relatively good understanding of China and can use social media skillfully, and their expressions can be more easily understood and appreciated by young people from other countries. .

Also, Gen Z is more likely to understand and appreciate different worldviews. Yet he must know the actual conditions in China and other countries to realize the difference between theory and practice.

Chinese teenagers should also be encouraged to travel and communicate with their peers to develop a deep affection for the motherland, which will inspire them to foster cultural exchanges.

The world is undergoing unprecedented changes and some Western countries are desperately trying to contain China. As such, China, having ended an era characterized by poverty, foreign invasions and intimidation, must now take steps to prevent the West from “reprimanding” it further.

In other words, China should take advantage of the younger generation and social media to tell its stories and make its voice heard in the world.

The author is a member of the All-China Youth Federation and director of the Institute for Dialogue of Global Civilizations at Huaqiao University.

The opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of China Daily and the China Daily website.

If you have specific expertise or want to share your opinion on our stories, send us your writings to opinion@chinadaily.com.cn and comment@chinadaily.com.cn.