The fourth National United Nations Knowledge Competition for college students -- co-hosted by the United Nations Association of China (UNA-China) and Beijing International Studies University (BISU) -- was held at BISU on Oct 19. The competition attracted teams from 15 prestigious universities across China, including Zhejiang University, University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and Shenzhen University. The opening ceremony was graced by Hu Wenli, vice president and director-general of the UNA-China, and Li Zhen, deputy secretary of the CPC Beijing International Studies University Committee. The importance of cultivating talents for international organizations is stressed in their speeches while the efforts made by universities are acknowledged.

Hu said in her speech that as China's world influence continues to grow, it has been closely involved in global governance, and thus versatile talents with international perspectives are needed. The UNA-China has been committed to popularizing knowledge about the UN among young people, with the National United Nations Knowledge Competition for college students as a flagship project. The objective is to cultivate patriotic and capable young people to work for international organizations.

Hu delivers his speech. 

Li stressed the importance of cultivating talents working for international organizations and participating in global governance. BISU attaches great importance to this career. With the support of the UNA-China, BISU has been innovating in curriculum design, internship and social practice. In the future, it will continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with partner universities to learn from their experience and improve its own talent cultivation. 

Li delivers his speech. 

The competition consisted of two stages: the preliminary and the final, with the situational simulation in the final segment as a highlight. In this session, participating teams representing countries such as China, the United States, Russia, and India, debated in English about the world food crisis. The judging panel was composed of experts and high-level officials. 

The fourth National United Nations Knowledge Competition for college students

The Outstanding Award was granted to the team from Sichuan International Studies University (SISU) while the team from Zhejiang University received first prize. The teams from the University of International Relations and China Foreign Affairs University both placed second. Teams from BISU and three other universities were also awarded prizes. Individual Awards were granted to three outstanding students.

A group photo