The experience of a lifetime!

What a week! It was a once in a lifetime experience to spend a week with such amazing people from all over the world. Thank you to the All China Youth Federation for organising such a productive and enjoyable week.

For those short for time, check out the video summary here https://goo.gl/tMrHqR

Before the Summit

In the month leading up to the summit, delegates were doing research and exchanging views on the summit key themes. These key themes were:

1. Poverty Elimination and Joint Development
2. Entrepreneurship and creative thinking
3. Social justice and equal opportunities
4. Green life and sustainability
5. Partnership and global governance

Each country was required to submit a 3000 word report summarising their countries position on the themes and policy recommendations. The organising committee then took all these reports and synthesised for common recommendations. These common recommendations were complied into one 3 page document that would serve as our draft communiqué. This is the starting point from which we would fine tune into a final communiqué at the Summit. In addition to writing our country reports, delegates exchanged opinions and ideas regarding the summit themes using the online forum.  

The Summit in pictures

Sunday

Icebreakers and introductions from summit organiser All China Youth Federation

Monday

Guided tour of the Temple of Heaven or Forbidden City

Meeting at Great Hall of the People with Vice President Li Yuanchao

Tuesday

 Visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs





Australian Delegate Samuel Keitaapaa asking a question to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials

High Speed Train to Shanghai (300km/hr!)

Welcome Banquet in Shanghai

Wednesday

 Official Opening Ceremony of Y20 at Fudan University

Round Table Discussions

There were separate, simultaneous round table discussions for each of the five summit themes.

Representing ‘Straya at the Poverty Elimination and Joint Development round table

River cruise around The Bund

Thursday

 More round table discussions

 The Poverty Elimination and Joint Development team

 Shanghai Circus  (think Cirque du Soleil on a grander scale!)

Meanwhile, Head Delegates were still at work consolidating 
the final communiqué… from 8pm until 8am!

Friday 

 Plenary Meeting

Read our final communiqué here https://goo.gl/LrtVPB

Tour of the Shanghai ‘Silicon Valley’ district and Shanghai Museum. Adell our fantastic Fudan University volunteer for the Australian delegation

Gourmet buffet dinner in the rotating restaurant at the top of the Pearl Tower

See-through floors – why not?!

Summit afterparty at rooftop bar

Another cool thing about the week was being constantly followed around by swarms of Chinese media. Check out some of the news stories on the y20 here http://on.china.cn/2aFJMaH and http://bit.ly/2aESoME

Wrapping up

Being a Global Voices delegate is probably the best thing I’ve done whilst being at university. I’ve learnt new skills (like having to do media interviews), been pushed (the academic research was very challenging for me), am now very interested in Australian policy and politics (prior, I couldn’t really care too much), have got to meet awesome people from all over Australia (and diverse academic backgrounds) and have had the honour to represent my country at an international event and contribute to the youth voice on contemporary economic issues.

I would like to thank Global Voices and the UNSW Coop Program for this opportunity. In particular thank you to Elizabeth Dymock and the rest of the Australian delegation - Sam Keitaapaa, Rachael Dymock and Jerome De Vera for being great friends and colleagues.

To future peoples - If you have the chance to apply for this opportunity make sure you do!