Fortitude: Navigating the Tides of Change

april 17-20, 2025, Hainan, China

Under the 2025 theme “Fortitude: Navigating the Tides of Change”, the symposium addresses multi-layered resilience against post-pandemic recovery, geopolitical shifts, and civilizational diversity. Three sub-themes guide the discussions: “Global Fortitude: NewChallenges, New Adaptation Strategies” emphasises international collaboration and adaptive innovation; “National Fortitude: Balancing Tradition and Modernity in Times of Change” explores the coexistence of heritage and progress; and “Personal Fortitude: Empowering Youth in the Changing World” focuses on youth leadership amid exploration. The YGS 2025, held from April 17 to 20 at Hainan Lingshui Li’an International Education Innovation Pilot Zone, includes opening and closing ceremonies, and six panels on global governance, international education, planetary ecology, AI development, culture export and youth empowerment.

2025 Statistics

5,000+

Applicants

180+

Delegates

0.8%

Acceptance Rate

47

Countries and Regions Represented

YGS 2025 is a symposium organised by the Yenching Academy and it promises to be an invigorating event fostering international exchange in China. We will explore connections and opportunities for cooperation along three dimensions:

Global Fortitude

As power dynamics are shifting, speakers from Asia and around the world share their perspectives on trends in international collaboration, education to prepare young people for global challenges and ecological solutions to improve planetary resilience.

National Fortitude

Technology is a driving force of both national hard power and cultural soft power. Dialogues focus on the dynamism and fortitude of China, as it adopts new AI tools while preserving and exporting its culture.

Personal Fortitude

Navigating uncertainty is key for the leaders of tomorrow. The panel discussion focuses on empowering youth, taking initiative to challenge the status quo and provides inspiring stories of personal growth.