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“From Ideas to Impact” The First Youth Sustainability Summit Successfully held in SHSID

May 22, 2025


The first Youth Sustainability Summit (YSS) took place on May 18, 2025 at Shanghai High School International Division, welcoming students from across China to share, interact and learn together. The theme of this summit was “From Ideas to Impact,” and participants explored this theme through environmental experts’ keynote speeches, student leaders’ experience sharing sessions, student-led project showcases, and hands-on eco workshops. By fostering collaboration and encouraging grassroots initiatives, the summit serves as a platform for building greener campuses and nurturing a generation committed to creating a more sustainable future.


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To begin the event, Principal Ma, SHSID High School Principal, gave a welcoming keynote address showcasing SHSID’s commitment to environmental education and supporting diverse student-led sustainability initiatives. Mr. Zou Rong, director of the Shanghai Climate Week Executive Committee and United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Prosperity Alliance Shanghai Center, highlighted the importance of international and interdisciplinary collaboration in his comprehensive speech. He advised students to "find an issue, understand the context, and form a team." In her speech, Ms. Gong Wenzhu, youth program director at Green Lightyear organization, emphasized the role of strong leadership and meaningful actions in addressing environmental problems to the summit’s young and passionate participants. Ms. Gong encouraged participants to reflect and grow their dedication to environmental sustainability actions, noting that "Leadership is not about 'waiting to grow up,' It is about starting now."



Next, participants explored the student-led project showcase booths, where school ambassadors shared their experience and initiatives. The school booths were a vibrant centerpiece of the Youth Sustainability Summit, bringing together a diverse array of student-led clubs. Each booth showcased the unique sustainability initiatives and conservation projects that students have been spearheading on their campuses—from biodiversity protection and waste reduction campaigns to sustainability committees and campus-wide improvements. The school booths demonstrated how youth-led efforts, no matter the scale, can drive real change and foster a stronger community of young environmental advocates.




Following this, five student representatives showcased their practical achievements in sustainable development during the environmental project case-sharing session. These young eco-pioneers from different schools shared innovative approaches and challenge-solving experiences from various dimensions, including establishing campus sustainability committees, implementing waste classification systems, conducting climate change research, and organizing environmental fundraising campaigns. Each presentation received enthusiastic applause, with these vivid case studies providing highly valuable guidance for attendees.


Additionally, students from two different schools organized engaging eco-friendly workshops. Under their guidance, participants tried making coffee bean bracelets or experienced the Climate Fresk card game about climate change. Some carefully selected their favorite coffee beans while others strategized for winning moves in the card game. Amidst laughter and joy, everyone gained fresh perspectives on environmental protection through these novel and entertaining approaches.


The Youth Sustainability Summit brought together students from over 10 schools across China, serving as a vibrant platform for young changemakers to showcase their creativity, dedication, and collaborative spirit. From interactive exhibition booths to thought-provoking speeches, the event offered participants valuable inspiration and practical ideas to bring back to their own communities. The summit concluded on a hopeful and empowering note, with a message from the organizing team, led by SHSID student Aaron:

“Thank you to all the participating students, supportive teachers, and distinguished guests for making the Youth Sustainability Summit a truly meaningful experience. As we move forward on our individual paths, let us carry with us a shared sense of responsibility—to be catalysts for positive change in our lives and in the world. That is the foundation of a brighter, more sustainable future.”


Written by 11(3) Aaron

Pictures by 11(2) Michael, Ms. Yu Zhen

Supervised by Ms. Ma Yanbo, Ms. He Sijia

Edited by Ms. Wang Tongyan

Proofread by Mr. Cody Allen Turner

Reviewed by Ms. Gu Ying, Ms. Shen Chenli