Peking University, Nov.18, 2011: The Universal Youth Creative Leaders Forum 2011 was held on November 10 at the Peking University (PKU) Yingjie Exchange Center.

This forum was a crucial part of both the Global Creative Expo and the 8th PKU International Cultural Festival, hosted jointly by China Education Television and PKU, and undertaken by the University’s Creation Park and PKU School of Arts.

The theme of the forum this year was “What Makes Creative Leaders”, concentrating on relationships between creativity and contemporary social development directions, entrepreneurship and the importance of youth, humanistic values and scientific spirit. A deeper discussion was conducted about how to cultivate future creative leaders.

There were several shining stars on the forum: Robert Blalack (Hollywood special effects master, photographer of Star Wars, Oscar winner for Best Effects and Best Visuals), Professor Richard Tabor Greene (professor at Keio University, expert in design management innovation), Professor Roger Fidler (professor from the University of Missouri at Columbia, expert in innovative media), Professor Zhang Xingang (former president from City University of Hong Kong), Esthetician Ye Lang, Artist Zhu Zheqin, President Jia Wei from Rococo Design, Taiwan Designer Bao Yimin, and independent film critic Jiang Nan.

PKU Assistant President Ma Huaxiang first welcomed the guest from afar, and noted that PKU, as one of the sponsors of the forum, had long attached great importance to the cultivation of its students' innovation ability. He said that PKU would promote international cultural exchanges based on important academic exchange platforms like the Beijing Forum and the International Culture Festival.

Later, Australian Minister-Counselor Iain Watt said in his speech that Australia focuses on building creative industry and ‘gathering areas’ centered in universities, which gather talent and creativity resources within knowledge-intensive colleges. He said Australia would like to cooperate actively with Chinese universities, carrying out various exchanges programs and jointly promoting the cultivation of creative talents.

Ms. Chen Li, vice president of China Education Television (CETV), gave the final speech. She regarded actively participating in innovative talent cultivation programs to be CETV’s responsibility among world-class educational media. CETV’s newly-completed University’s Creation Park will promote youth creativity and innovation. She said Education Television Station would strengthen its cooperation with PKU and shape the Global Creative Expo and the Universal Youth Creative Leaders Forum into a rendezvous to command elevation for innovative youths.

In the following keynote addresses, several experts delivered speeches based on their respective areas of expertise. They discussed creative leaders’ routes to success and social development in the innovation era.

Written by: Jiang Zhaohui
Edited by: Arthars and DJRM
Source: PKU News (Chinese)