Media Center

NEW YORK/BEIJING, 31 January 2018 – Wang Yuan, UNICEF Special Advocate for Education and member of popular music band the TFBoys, addressed a global audience of youth, leaders and development experts before the closing plenary of the 7th Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum held in New York this week.

During his address, Wang Yuan pledged his commitment to promoting quality education and urged young people to contribute their ideas and talents to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, and to help build sustainable and resilient communities.

“In my role as UNICEF Special Advocate for Education, I've seen for myself how education is a key factor in building happy, confident and resilient children,” said Wang Yuan. He spoke of the importance of using multi-media and social media channels to empower young people to better understand why the SDGs are key to their future and the future of the world.

“As a young artist and a student, I am lucky to have a large following on Chinese social media, in fact I have over 35 million followers. I see it as my duty to use this following for good. I hope that my posts can reach millions of people to draw attention and inspire progress towards universal access to quality education and the achievement of the SDGs.”

Wang Yuan joined a delegation of five young people recommended by the United Nations agencies in China to participate in the two-day global forum along with about 500 young leaders from all over the world to debate, share ideas and to help shape a brighter future for all. The delegation's participation was led by the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator for China.

“It is vital that we recognize the role that young people can play as agents of positive change in their communities and globally,” said Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative to China. “We need to listen to young people and empower them to direct their energy, creativity and aspirations towards the achievement of the SDGs.”

The ECOSOC Youth Forum was held at the headquarters of the United Nations and provided a global platform for youth advocates and representatives of youth-led and youth-focused organizations and networks to engage with Member States, and to promote youth development and engagement.

The focus of this year's forum was on policy dialogue and discussions on the role of youth in building sustainable and resilient urban and rural communities.

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Editor Notes:

For Wang Yuan's Blog on ECOSOC, please read: http://www.unicef.cn/en/media-center/blogs/37.html
 For Wang Yuan's Speech on ECOSOC, please read: http://www.unicef.cn/en/media-center/videos/4945.html
For Wang Yuan's Speech on ECOSOC, please read: http://www.unicef.cn/en/field-stories/18.html

About UNICEF

UNICEF is committed to helping children around the world realize their rights to survival, development, protection and participation. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action for the benefit of children, everywhere.

UNICEF first assisted China between 1947 and 1951, providing emergency services, food and nutrition, health and hygiene training during and after the War of Liberation. In 1979 UNICEF recommenced its cooperation with the Government of China which today supports child health and nutrition, quality basic education for all boys and girls, the protection of children from violence and exploitation, child-centred social policies, and emergency response.

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For further information, please contact:

Kathryn Irwin, Chief of Communication, UNICEF China, Tel: 8610 8531 2610, kirwin@unicef.org
Liu Li, Communication Specialist, UNICEF China, +8610 85312612,liliu@unicef.org