On the morning of October 16, the “Gen Z Global Young Leaders Dialogue” was held at the International Academic Lecture Hall of the Xianghu Campus, Jingdezhen Ceramic University (JCU). Centered on the theme “The Role of Youthin Cultural Exchange and Mutual Learning among Civilizations”, the event brought together more than 100 international students from over 40 countries, foreign young artists based in Jingdezhen, young faculty members with overseas study experience, and representatives of student leaders from JCU for in-depth dialogue and exchange in the “Porcelain Capital.”
The event was attended by Hu Yinjiao, Member of the University Standing Committee and Vice President of JCU; Zeng Desheng, Member of the University Standing Committee and Director of the Publicity Department; Hong Enqiang, Secretary General of the Jiangxi International Communication University Alliance and Member of the Party Committee and Director of the Publicity Department of Jiangxi University of Water Resources and Electric Power; Xu Pipi and Jie Mengling, officials from the Publicity Department of the Provincial Education Working Committee and the Social Sciences Division of the Jiangxi Provincial Department of Education; Yan Run, Executive President of the Jiangxi Provincial Students’ Federation; and Hou Tiejun, Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange and Dean of the School of Cultural Communication at JCU. The opening ceremony was hosted by Zeng Desheng.
In her opening remarks, Vice President Hu Yinjiao noted that the dialogue was an important sub-event of the “GenZ Ceramic Study Program,” a Z Generation project approved earlier this year by the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee. Rooted in Jingdezhen,a city where kiln fires have burned continuously for over a thousand years,Jingdezhen Ceramic University is not only a center for ceramic talent cultivation and technological innovation, but also a vital platform for international exchange and communication of Chinese ceramic culture. Drawing on the metaphor of “using vessels to convey the Way,” Hu emphasized that just as a fine ceramic piece requires refinement through seventy-two meticulous processes, the growth of a young leader depends on the accumulation of knowledge, the expansion of global vision, cultural cultivation, and engagement with contemporary challenges. She encouraged young people to use ceramic culture as a medium and this dialogue as a bridge,to “shape” understanding, “nurture” friendship, “paint” trust, and ultimately “fire” collaborative achievements and shared wisdom for their generation through openness, adaptability, and inclusiveness.
Zeng Desheng presiding over the opening ceremony
In his address, Hong Enqiang observed that the world is undergoing profound transformation. While globalization has drawn countries closer together, it has also brought increased cultural interaction and friction. In this context, young people,especially those of Generation Z, who represent the future and vitality,have become an indispensable force in promoting mutual learning among civilizations, as well as world peace and development. He noted that the Jiangxi International Communication University Alliance has long been committed to advancing international people-to-people exchanges, particularly among youth, and expressed willingness to continue building effective platforms for dialogue and cooperation. He encouraged international youth to experience a vivid and multifaceted Jiangxi through these activities and to become cultural ambassadors who tell China’s stories and share Jiangxi’s voice with the world.
Xu Pipi emphasized that Generation Z has grown up in the internet era, with broad perspectives, active thinking, and a natural curiosity and understanding of different cultures, making them the most dynamic force in promoting people-to-people connectivity and intercultural dialogue. She noted that Jiangxi’s education sector is dedicated to creating platforms for global youth exchange and advancing cultural outreach. She encouraged participants to discover, document, and share the stories of Jingdezhen and ceramics from a youthful perspective, to reflect deeply on the role and mission of youth in cultural inheritance and innovation, and to carry their experiences and insights back to their home countries,serving as messengers of dialogue, builders of cultural bridges, and promoters of peaceful development,and contributing youthful strength to building a more beautiful and harmonious world.
During the youth dialogue session, international participants shared their views from diverse perspectives, generating dynamic exchanges of ideas. The session was moderated by Hou Tiejun.
Yan Run, Executive President of the Jiangxi Provincial Students’ Federation, noted that the event provided a valuable platform for cross-cultural and cross-national dialogue in the new era, enabling young people from different countries and cultural backgrounds to exchange ideas and showcase their wisdom. He expressed hope that the dialogue would serve as a new starting point for continued collaboration among global youth, allowing youthful energy to shine in the process of civilizational exchange and mutual learning. He also reaffirmed the Federation’s commitment to fully supportingand actively participatingin international youth exchange initiatives, promotingthe development of more high-quality exchange platforms, expandingchannels for cooperation, and contributingwisdom and strength through concrete actionsto the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.
Robert, an international student from Uganda and President of the JCU International Students’ Association,emphasized that international youth should become “builders of bridges,” a mission grounded in three pillars: the courage to question, the willingness to listen, and the passion to co-create. He noted that today’s youth are the most interconnected generation in history, equipped with technology, creativity, and boundless imagination to integrate diverse cultures and address global challenges. International youth, he stressed, are not mere observers, but creators of meaning, diplomats of ideas, and builders of bridges across the world.
Ayubkhon Adhamjonov from Uzbekistan, an international student representative at Jiangxi University of Water Resources and Electric Power, shared his experiences of “studying and traveling in Jiangxi.” From the dedication of Poyang Lake guardian Jiang Liyi, to the craftsmanship and pursuit of excellence among Jingdezhen artisans, and further to the modernized “Peach Blossom Land” of Tongshuyuan Village, he reflected that the beauty of China lies not only in its landscapes and history, but also in the everyday efforts of its people and the deep friendships forged between Chinese and international youth.
International students Kara from Cameroon and Nguyen Anh Diep from Vietnam, representing Nanchang University’s “NCU International Students” initiative, shared their journeys from initial anxiety caused by language barriers to confidently stepping onto the stage through platforms such as the Chinese Bridge Competition, international cultural festivals, and volunteer services. They described their transformation from cultural “observers” to active “participants and communicators,” emphasizing that international students should not only be learners of knowledge, but also practitioners of civilizational dialogue and builders of friendship.
French ceramic artist Juliette Pénélope Pépin reflected on her experiences living and working in multiple countries, noting that cross-cultural exchange is not merely about learning, but about continuously challenging assumptions and growing. She emphasized that young people, positioned at a unique historical intersection, both inherit cultural legacies and embrace opportunities offered by contemporary tools. With fresh perspectives and the ability to connect tradition with innovation, they bear the responsibility of ensuring that cultural diversity is not only preserved but enriched through dialogue and cooperation.
Argentine visual artist Eugenia Bracony discussed the shared foundations of material and culture through ceramic practice. She argued that younger generations have both the possibility and responsibility to redefine how dialogue occurs,not by representing culture from a single perspective, but by fostering horizontal conversations in which every voice matters and learning flows in both directions. Through such dialogue, she noted, cultural diversity can be protected and advocated, bridges of friendship built, and divisions overcome.
Zhao Xin, a young faculty member from the Advanced Institute of Ceramic Culture at JCU, used three ceramic terms—raw body, glaze, and kiln transformation—to illustrate the global responsibilities of Generation Z. He explained that the “raw body” symbolizes the generation’s strong global plasticity and openness to diverse cultures; “glaze” represents the beauty of cross-cultural integration, where differences generate richer possibilities; and “kiln transformation” signifies the need for resilience under global challenges, turning crises into catalysts for innovation. He concluded that Generation Z, capable of understanding both ancient codes and future algorithms, should become a transformative bridge between past and future, East and West.
From a museology perspective, Zhang Li, a faculty member of the School of Archaeology and Museology at JCU, shared reflections on civilizational exchange and mutual learning. He noted that Chinese ceramics once traveled across seas and continents, embedding themselves in diverse cultural contexts. Citing Yuan-dynasty blue-and-white porcelain from Jingdezhen housed in Istanbul’s Topkapi Palace, he explained how these works were adapted in form to Central Asian dining customs and combined Chinese floral motifs with Islamic geometric patterns,exemplifying tailored cultural exchange. He added that today’s digital technologies, such as high-resolution modeling and AR, offer new possibilities for transcending temporal, spatial, and linguistic barriers,enabling in-depth communication in which objects bear witness and beauty speaks directly to the heart.
In the afternoon, participating youth took part in a ceramic-making workshop at Classroom 225 of the School of Fine Arts, further experiencing the appeal of ceramic culture through hands-on creation.
The“Gen Z Global Young Leaders Dialogue”not only provided a platform for intellectual exchange, but also clarified the responsibilities and role of youth in promoting mutual learning among civilizations and building a community with a shared future for humanity. Participants expressed their commitment to taking this dialogue as a new starting point,moving forward together and allowing youth to shine brilliantly in the process of intercultural exchange and cooperation.
Text by Yang Ming, Photos by Song Nuan & Zou Yihan
