Beijing, the Chinese mainland – Under the banner of the 10th anniversary of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), young innovators from across the globe converged this week in Beijing for the Global Development Public Policy Youth Innovation Contest hosted by Renmin University of China.
The contest invited university students and early-career changemakers to pitch actionable policy solutions for two of the most urgent SDGs: no poverty (SDG 1) and zero hunger (SDG 2). Over 200 participants from more than 50 countries and regions competed in teams, blending data-driven research with creative storytelling to tackle challenges from food security to equitable economic growth.
Highlights from the event included:
- A digital platform prototype connecting smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa to emerging markets, aiming to raise incomes by 30% within two years.
- A microloan scheme powered by blockchain to streamline aid distribution in rural Latin America, projected to reduce administrative costs by 40%.
- An urban vertical farming model designed for densely populated Asian cities, estimating a 25% increase in local food production while cutting water usage by half.
“This contest shows that youthful energy, combined with solid data and policy know-how, can transform big ideas into real-world impact,” said a member of the organizing committee.
As the world charts its course for the next decade, these youth-led initiatives remind us that fresh perspectives and global collaboration are vital to building a more equitable and sustainable future.
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Youth from around the world share ideas for a better future for mankind
cgtn.com
