The president of the China-United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF) has underscored the need to bring young leaders to the table “if we want to truly solve pressing global challenges”.

“Not only do they bring with them compelling, innovative perspectives and ideas, they are also among the most dedicated to transforming the world and harnessing the greatest opportunities of today and tomorrow,” James Chau said in a statement on the occasion of One Young World Summit 2024 in Montreal.

In a critical moment for US-China relations, and for the world, CUSEF is proud to help bring together an impressive cohort of powerful young minds at the One Young World Summit, he said.

Organized by One Young World, the global community for young leaders, the summit runs from Sept 18 to Sept 21.

ALSO READ: CUSEF welcomes Silicon Valley mayors to Hong Kong

Chau, who is attending and speaking at the summit, is joined by this year’s inaugural cohort of CUSEF x One Young World Scholars, eight exceptional young leaders selected from a pool of 12,991 global applicants, according to a press release.

He is leading several sessions highlighting the importance of fostering mutual understanding and collaboration between the United States and China, particularly through harnessing the innovative approaches that young leaders are using to bridge cultural and political divides.

The CUSEF x One Young World scholars are expected to provide unique insights into how the US and China can partner for peace, leveraging their own experience on pressing issues such as climate change, gender equality, and universal education.

The scholarship is an initiative created by CUSEF and One Young World that supports young leaders from around the world, including diverse regions such as the US, China, and Colombia, with proven positive social impact in tackling global challenges.

Ella Robertson McKay, managing director of One Young World, said, “One Young World’s partnership with CUSEF is imperative to our joint effort to build a generation of leaders who are dedicated to strengthening ties between the US and China.”

READ MORE: 2 Chinese young leaders awarded scholarships for their contributions

The CUSEF is also preparing to host the CUSEF x One Young World scholars at the upcoming US-China Hong Kong Forum, scheduled to be held Nov 15-17.

The annual event will bring together scholars, policymakers, and industry leaders to discuss the future of US-China relations and explore avenues for cooperation in areas such as trade, climate change, and technology.