On November 25, the 2nd International Youth River Dialogue was held at Hohai University. Li Ge, Deputy Director General of the Department of International Cooperation, Science and Technology of the Ministry of Water Resources of China (MWR), Eriberto Eulisse, Executive Director of the Global Network of Water Museums, and Guo Jichao, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Hohai University, delivered speeches at the event. Chen Yongming, Director of the National Water Museum of China, presided over the opening ceremony. Relevant personnel from the National Water Museum of China and Hohai University as well as young student representatives and audience from various countries came to listen to the on-site introduction to rivers.
Ma Jinge, who was awarded the title of River Messenger in the first International Youth River Dialogue, presided over this event themed River & Harmony: Exploring Rivers as Living Entities. Six young student representatives from China, Austria, Ghana, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo made special introductions on representative rivers in their respective regions such as the Danube River, Tarim River, Yangtze River, Qiantang River, Densu River, and Congo River. They vividly described the profound impact of rivers on local social development from multiple perspectives such as history and culture as well as governance and protection. Additionally, they conducted dialogue and discussion in groups on three topics: river governance and urban development, human life and river health, as well as local culture and rivers. At the event site, judges composed of hydrologists, irrigation experts, and university professors posed questions and offered comments to young student representatives.
Finally, Ebenezer Impriam Amponsah from Ghana won the first prize; Hua Zeyu from China and Nsonia Justielo, a Congolese student, secured the second prize; Gunnar Schritter from Austria, along with Li Ruojia and Du Jun from China, won the third prize. The six contestants were also awarded the honorary title of River Messenger.
The International Youth River Dialogue is an internationally recognized event to facilitate youth exchange on water-related matters. It is officially approved by MWR and is guided by the Department of International Cooperation, Science and Technology, MWR, as well as the Global Network of Water Museums and the UNESCO-IHP Water Education Working Group, with the National Water Museum of China taking the lead in its initiation. The event aims to foster global youth engagement by exploring the interconnections between rivers and local socio-economic and cultural development. University students from around the world are encouraged to share their perspectives and insights. The event seeks to promote a renewed understanding of the relationship between humans and water, as well as deepen the knowledge of regional water culture. The 1st International Youth River Dialogue took place in Hangzhou in November of last year.
