On November 24, the United Nations Population Fund China Office and the public welfare data platform Yishan jointly held an adolescent public welfare project exchange and discussion meeting at the United Nations Building in Beijing, marking the launch of the “UNFPA Adolescent Leadership Challenge.” Zhang Yinjun, Chairperson of the Beijing Changier Education Foundation, attended the meeting together with Wang Changkun, Director of International Affairs and Minister of the Communication Department, as well as the Minister of the Outreach Department.

This seminar aims to promote cross-departmental exchange and dialogue, support adolescent development, and launch a nationwide project to empower young people to strengthen leadership and actively contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The event brought together representatives from the private sector, public welfare organizations, educators, and adolescent delegates to discuss key issues related to adolescent development.

In the themed salon focused on practical work for adolescents, Chairperson Zhang Yinjun closely aligned her remarks with adolescent educational support and the talent cultivation goals of the “15th Five-Year Plan.” She sincerely reviewed the original aspiration and 20-year journey of the AIDS Prevention Education Project for Chinese Youth (APEPCY), sharing how the foundation has identified gaps in family–school–community education through public welfare practice. By advancing proposals, the foundation successfully incorporated HIV/AIDS prevention education and sexuality education into national frameworks and legal agendas, transforming hidden social issues—such as “invisible orphans”—into key national-level proposals. She also introduced the first public-welfare film on HIV/AIDS prevention, Changier, scheduled for upcoming release. Chairperson Zhang further explained that this “business + public welfare” ecosystem practice represents one of the new methods the foundation has developed to overcome challenges and pioneer adolescent education. Guests at the event expressed heartfelt admiration for the outstanding achievements of the film Changier, which has been previewed in more than a thousand screenings across hundreds of cities. They also praised the impressive results of the “Hundred Cities, Thousand Screenings” preview campaign. Finally, standing on a future-oriented perspective, she extended a sincere invitation for inter-institutional collaboration and deeper project partnerships to jointly address challenges in adolescent development.

Left: Nadia Rasheed, Representative of the United Nations Population Fund China Office

Nadia Rasheed, Representative of the United Nations Population Fund China Office, stated: “UNFPA is committed to empowering adolescents and helping them fully realize their potential. In the face of complex social challenges, adolescent leadership is not only valuable but essential. Young people stand at the forefront of shaping a healthier, more equal, and more resilient society. They bring new ideas and demonstrate the confidence of the digital era.” She further emphasized that the Adolescent Leadership Challenge creates an important platform for dialogue and action, ensuring that the voices of young people are heard and their ideas are valued.

Dean Lan Yuxin of the Tsinghua University Institute for Philanthropy shared the strategic significance of cultivating leadership among middle school students. Cheng Fen, Vice President of the China Philanthropy Research Institute of Beijing Normal University, released the 2025 China Adolescents Public Welfare Practice White Paper, pointing out that Chinese adolescents are increasingly becoming an active force in the field of public welfare. The report also emphasized that unlocking adolescent potential requires the public welfare sector to form stronger strategic synergy. Peng Jiong, Assistant Representative of the United Nations Population Fund China Office, introduced the practices of comprehensive sexuality education pilot projects carried out by UNFPA in Muli County, Sichuan Province, and Pengshui County, Chongqing, empowering adolescents with the knowledge and skills necessary for healthy decision-making and growth. A student representative from the Beijing High School Business District Experimental School read aloud a national “Call to Action” addressed to middle school students across China, encouraging adolescents to become leading forces for the future.

The philanthropy data platform Yishan released the report “Data Telling the Story: An Overview of Public Welfare and Philanthropic Donations for Children and Adolescents in China.” Tao Ze, Founder of Yishan, stated: “As a data-driven platform, Yishan is committed to providing scientific references for public welfare decision-making. We are honored to collaborate with the United Nations Population Fund to initiate this Adolescent Leadership Challenge. It transforms data and dialogue into concrete opportunities, enabling young people to create real social impact.”

The invited guests attending the seminar also included a diverse group of representatives and professionals from multiple sectors: Lan Yuxin, Associate Professor of the School of Public Policy and Management of Tsinghua University and Dean of the Institute for Philanthropy; Cheng Fen, Vice President of the China Philanthropy Research Institute of Beijing Normal University; Xiao Zhong, Principal of the Beijing High School Business District Experimental School; Fei Ruiqi, Secretary of the CPC Branch for Primary and Secondary Education and Vice Principal for Moral Education at Hangzhou Yungu School; Zhu Deying, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Phoenix Net Public Welfare Channel; Hu Lingjuan, Assistant Representative of Weibo Public Welfare; Shi Zhaoling, Executive Vice Chairperson of the Beijing Yixingzhe Public Welfare Foundation; Dai Jie, Executive Secretary-General of the Beijing Bridge of Love Charity Foundation; Huang Hui, Deputy Secretary-General of the Zhejiang Jiuyang Public Welfare Foundation; and Zhang Kai, Assistant Secretary-General of the Shanghai Zijiang Public Welfare Foundation and Head of the Social Responsibility Alliance of the Zizhu High-Tech Zone.

About UNFPA China Office: https://china.unfpa.org/：

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the United Nations agency for sexual and reproductive health. It is dedicated to safeguarding the rights and choices of women, girls, and young people in more than 150 countries and territories worldwide. UNFPA provides millions of women, girls, and youth with essential health care services, protection from violence, and vital information concerning their bodies and their rights. The organization also assists governments in planning for changing population needs, ensuring that—regardless of fertility trends—people are able to thrive both now and in the future. UNFPA strives, in China and around the world, to achieve the goals that: every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.