On the morning of July 12, the 2024 4th CCMUN & Global Citizens Model United Nations China Conference (GCMUN-CHINA) officially opened in Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province. At the opening ceremony, Ambassador Huang Ping, Consul General of China in New York; Adriani Wahjanto, Deputy Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in China; Yang Jun, Vice President and Secretary General of the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE); and Kristin Hutchinson, Vice President of the Philadelphia World Affairs Council, delivered video addresses. Attendees included Wuxi Vice Mayor Qin Yongxin; Giordano Lorefice, Founder of United Network Europe (UNE), an official UN-affiliated organization; Stacy Lyon Lian Xinmei, Director of the Utah Chinese Bilingual Immersion Program; and other guests who spoke at the event.

This conference was specially supported by the Consulate General of China in New York, guided by United Network Europe (UNE), and organized jointly by the Philadelphia World Affairs Council and Philadelphia Window, with Denuo International Education as the event operator. Supported by the Wuxi Municipal Education Bureau and the Foreign Affairs Office of the Wuxi Municipal Government, the four-day event attracted nearly 200 student delegates worldwide, including 30 American teachers and students newly arrived in China at the invitation of Philadelphia Window and a five-member delegation led by UNE’s founder.

Special guests attending the opening ceremony included Yu Ting, Deputy Secretary General of the Jiangsu Provincial Political Consultative Conference and Vice Chairman of the Jiangsu Provincial Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy; Gu Wenlong, Deputy Secretary General of the Wuxi Municipal Government; Fan Liang, Secretary of the Wuxi Municipal Education Working Committee; Xiao Jing, Deputy Director of the Wuxi Municipal Education Bureau; Ye Zheng, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Wuxi Municipal Government; Xu Chengjie, President of the Wuxi Education International Exchange Association; and Zhang Wenlong, Founder of Philadelphia Window and Jiangsu International Goodwill Ambassador.

In his video address, Ambassador Huang Ping extended warm congratulations on behalf of the Consulate General of China in New York and expressed sincere gratitude to the Wuxi Municipal Government and Education Bureau for their efforts in organizing the event. He highlighted Wuxi’s role as the “Pearl of Taihu Lake,” welcoming global exchanges and inspiring delegates with its rich cultural heritage. He encouraged participants to embrace the mission of building a shared future for humanity while addressing global issues, wishing them success in the conference and future international endeavors.

Wuxi Vice Mayor Qin Yongxin emphasized the city’s historical significance, economic prosperity, and cultural charm. He highlighted the municipal government’s commitment to fostering global youth exchanges through the Canal Cities Model UN Conference, providing a platform for growth and collaboration.

Giordano Lorefice, Founder of United Network Europe (UNE), delivered a keynote speech introducing UNE’s efforts in promoting global youth exchanges through innovative learning experiences. He stressed GCMUN’s role in facilitating meaningful dialogue among youth worldwide and expressed anticipation for nurturing global leadership through partnerships with the Canal Cities MUN.

Adriani Wahjanto, UNHCR Deputy Representative in China, praised the conference’s participation in the UNHCR’s Model UN Refugee Challenge, emphasizing youth engagement in humanitarian issues. She encouraged delegates to contribute to global peace through dialogue.

Stacy Lyon Lian Xinmei, Director of Utah’s Chinese Bilingual Immersion Program, highlighted the program’s contributions to U.S.-China cultural exchange. She expressed excitement about leading nearly 20 Utah students to strengthen cross-cultural understanding.

CEAIE Secretary General Yang Jun congratulated the conference, noting Wuxi’s unique canal culture and the event’s role in global governance. He praised the platform for fostering youth talent and cross-cultural dialogue.

Philadelphia World Affairs Council Vice President Kristin Hutchinson and Philadelphia Window Founder Zhang Wenlong emphasized the conference’s focus on elite education and academic innovation. They encouraged delegates to develop critical thinking, negotiation skills, and global inclusivity.

The conference was officially opened by Zhang Wenlong, Founder of Philadelphia Window.

Dozens of middle school principals and chaperones from China and abroad attended the opening ceremony and participated in an education salon themed “Cultivating Globally Competent Youth in the New Era.” Experts engaged in lively discussions on global education.

Over the following three days, delegates will simulate UN proceedings, representing different nations to debate topics such as sustainable futures for persons with disabilities, urban transformation, refugee child protection, and international cooperation in renewable energy. The UNHCR Committee’s resolutions may be incorporated into the agency’s official policy database.