Representing Youth at the UNESCO International Forum on Love and Peace

In June 2025, I was honored to be invited by the UNESCO Traditional Culture Foundation to serve as the sole student representative at the International Forum on Love and Peace. At the forum, I delivered a keynote speech and led the audience in experiencing two activities from my school club: the traditional Yijin Jing fitness exercise and a guided meditation. The interactive session received an enthusiastic response, and I was awarded the Youth Award for Outstanding Contribution in recognition of my work in promoting mental well-being among young people.

During the event, I was invited to a private meeting with Simona Mirela Miculescu, the President of the UNESCO Traditional Culture Foundation. In her office, I presented a detailed report on the club’s initiatives and their impact. President Miculescu highly praised the benefits these activities bring to adolescents, shared her support for expanding them internationally, and even provided her personal contact information to explore future collaborations on a global scale.

Representing youth voices on an international stage was both humbling and empowering. This experience reaffirmed my belief that cultural heritage practices, such as Yijin Jing and meditation, can play a significant role in addressing modern challenges like adolescent stress and mental health. The recognition and encouragement from UNESCO leadership not only validated our efforts but also opened new possibilities for sharing these methods with communities worldwide.