On the afternoon of April 8, Dr. Duan Haosheng led students from the SPD International Program on an academic visit to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP).
During the visit, experts from UN ESCAP provided a comprehensive overview of the organization’s historical development, core values, and current priority areas. Drawing on practical cases, they offered in-depth insights into the latest progress, ongoing challenges, and key achievements in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The exchange not only broadened the students’ understanding of regional governance and international development, but also deepened their appreciation of multilateral cooperation mechanisms.
In their presentations, the experts emphasized that young people are increasingly becoming “game changers” in shaping the future development landscape. UN ESCAP places strong importance on youth capacity-building and encourages youth participation in United Nations affairs. Students from the SPD program were also encouraged to actively apply for internship opportunities and contribute their knowledge and perspectives to global governance practices.
During the interactive session, SPD students expressed a strong sense of responsibility and generational awareness: “Young people make up 20 percent of the global population, but they represent 100 percent of the future…We are confident that we will make a meaningful impact in the years to come.”