On April 8, the “Voices of the Future: China–U.S. Youth Education and Cultural Exchange Forum” was held at the Putuo campus of East China Normal University, co-organized with China Institute of America. Educators, students, and scholars from both countries gathered in Shanghai for a cross-cultural dialogue centered on youth, education, and the future.
The forum coincided with two milestones: the 100th anniversary of the China Institute of America and the 20th year of collaboration between the two institutions. Framed as both a reflection on a century of people-to-people exchange and a forward-looking initiative, the event set out to explore new pathways for China–U.S. educational and cultural engagement.
Building Consensus, Opening a New Chapter
At the opening ceremony, speakers including ECNU President Ma Yugang, China Institute of America CEO George Geh, and representatives from leading educational and cultural organizations highlighted the importance of youth exchange in addressing global challenges such as artificial intelligence and sustainable development. They emphasized that mutual understanding and cooperation among younger generations remain essential to strengthening bilateral ties.
During the ceremony, the “China Institute-ECNU Bridging Cultures Center” was officially launched. Notably, East China Normal University has long been committed to advancing China–U.S. educational and cultural exchange, maintaining a two-decade partnership with China Institute of America. Looking ahead, the two sides will rely on both the newly established research center and the existing "ECNU-China Institute China Research Center" to build a coordinated Shanghai–New York dual-hub mechanism. The goal is to develop a widely influential and sustainable platform for bilateral exchange, and to further contribute to people-to-people engagement between the two countries.
Reflecting on the Past, Defining the Future
The forum’s first session, “China–U.S. Educational and Cultural Exchange: Review, Current Landscape, and Prospects,” brought together academic and institutional perspectives on long-term cooperation.
Peter B. Walker, co-chair of the China Institute, spoke on “Traditional Values as an Implicit Driver of China’s Economy,” examining the deeper cultural foundations of economic development. Jeffrey S. Lehman, Executive Vice Chancellor of New York University Shanghai, discussed the evolution of international higher education from exchange to integration, emphasizing the importance of building multicultural learning communities.
Wu Jian, Vice President of ECNU, traced the historical roots of China–U.S. educational exchange while sharing contemporary examples of youth interaction. He noted that the university will continue to deepen collaboration through platform-building, program development, and youth empowerment.
During the session, the Research Report on China–U.S. Youth Education and Cultural Exchange (2016–2026) was released, offering a comprehensive review of the past decade. As noted in the discussion, education and culture remain among the most enduring and resilient links between the two countries.
Rethinking Learning in the Age of AI
The second session, “Future Learning in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: A China–U.S. Youth Dialogue,” focused on how technological change is reshaping education.
High school students from both countries presented hands-on projects, including community-based air quality monitoring, passive air filtration systems for construction workers, and bio-inspired dust suppression technologies. They also shared their experiences applying AI tools in real-world learning contexts.
In the university-level dialogue, students from NYU Shanghai and ECNU exchanged views on the future of higher education, discussing topics such as learning transformation and new educational models in the AI era. The discussion was joined by faculty and administrators including Tong Shijun of NYU Shanghai and Christopher Van Velzer of Duke Kunshan University.
At the conclusion of the session, Chinese and American youth jointly released an initiative titled “Harnessing Youth Wisdom, Building a Shared Future”, calling on their peers to promote exchange, strengthen collaboration, and advocate for the responsible use of technology.
Youth Voices, Shared Growth
The third session, “New Voices: Growing and Developing Together,” focused on personal experiences and youth perspectives. Students from ECNU, NYU Shanghai, and partner schools in both countries shared reflections on cross-cultural exchange, highlighting both challenges and insights gained through direct engagement.
Participants discussed topics ranging from campus activities to international competitions, illustrating how educational and cultural exchange shapes individual growth. A roundtable discussion followed, allowing students and educators to further exchange views and engage in open dialogue.
A Shared Vision Forward
The forum concluded with a joint performance by Chinese and American students, who sang “Try Everything,” symbolizing openness and collaboration.
In closing remarks, Wu Jian emphasized that sincere dialogue and friendship among young people form a vital foundation for long-term China–U.S. relations. The forum, guided by the principles of “education as a bridge, youth at the center, and mutual learning among civilizations,” not only honored a century of exchange but also outlined a vision for deeper and broader cooperation in the future.
ShanghaiEye Reporter: Zhang Hong
