This groundbreaking programme was set up in 2008 to inspire and motivate young people in China and the UK to develop themselves as global citizens. 400 young entrepreneurs and leaders from both countries are to undertake 10/12-day exchanges during the period 2008 to 2010. The first group of 100 from the UK visited China, November, 2008.
To make the most of the final stage of the UK China 400 Scheme 3 days of events in Edinburgh were put together in a collaboration between the British Council and Scottish Young Icebreakers. To add to this the Young Icebreakers in Scotland have 3 representatives on the final delegation to China.
The events kicked off on Monday with a day of networking and debate at the stunning Confucius Institute where the 50 young leaders from China and Scotland engaged in talks with Eric Balish (Director of Trade and Finance of Barclays Commercial Bank), Owen Kelly (Director of Scottish Financial Enterprise), Geoff Leask (Head of Operations Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust), Natasha Gentz (Director The Confucius Institute for Scotland) and Paul Docherty (Director British Council Scotland ). The main part of the day was speant working with each other to discuss issues affecting the debate in the environment; the health of future generations, and the material heritage of our culture.
The second day begun with another networking session and lunch at Edinburgh Napiers Craighouse Campus. Here the delegates met some of Napier’s top performing international students and young entrepreneurs from the Moffat Center. Jack Worden, Dean of the International College and staff from Napier’s Business School were on hand to welcome and introduce the university and its students. The highlight and focus of the day was a long conversation with Antonia Swinson (Chief Executive Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition) where the delegates really engaged with the concept of Social Enterprise and how it could be applied to create rapid positive social change in China. The day ended with a trip to the Scottish Parliment where the delegates had a tour and heared from Tom McCabe (Chair of Cross party Group on China).
The final day at Edinburgh Zoo ended with an outstanding positive result. After a talk and reception from David Windmill (Chief Executive of the Royal Zoological Society), Guo Xiangyu (Deputy Secretary-General of the All-China Youth Federation and leader of the delegation) pledged to write a letter to recommend and support the Panda breeding programme to the Head of the Chinese Forestry Commission. He was ‘very impressed with the beauty and high standards of Edinburgh Zoo/ and how happy the animals conditions were’.
After 3 days of events in Edinburgh meeting their Scottish counterparts, Guo Xiangyu (Deputy Secretary-General of the All-China Youth Federation and leader of the delegation) said ‘we learned a lot especialy from the Young Icebreakers in Scotland, we have had the most meaning-full, positive, productive and fun time.’
