UK-China 400: an Exchange of Future Leaders
The UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband and Chinese Foreign Minister Yang announced an initiative to take forward UK-China co-operation between young people, in February 2008.
The All China Youth Federation (ACYF) and the British Council in China have signed a Memorandum of Understanding.
There has been over 10 years of co-operation between the All China Youth Federation and the British Council, which has facilitated the mobility of many thousands of young Chinese and British people.
The initiative envisages that 400 young people, in four groups each, from both countries will undertake a 10/12-day exchange during the period 2008 to 2010. The first group of 100 from the UK visited China, November, 2008.
British Council China overall strategic objectives
The key aim is to inspire and motivate people in China and the UK to develop themselves as global citizens; who are potentially mobile, and may aspire to international education and employment; who are interested in, and understand, other cultures; and who engage in debate and collaborate with others locally and internationally on key issues facing the world.
Programme Framework for UK- China 400
Key Objectives
- to broaden the international perspective of young leaders
- to change perceptions of young people in both countries
- to develop existing and new community links between the two countries
- to meet the personal and professional objectives of the individual participants
Themes for each of four exchanges:
Civil society, including youth and community development
Political and business leadership
Environment and healthy lifestyle
Creativity and cultural innovation
