Education key to APEC tackling future challenges

教育是亚太经合组织应对未来挑战的关键

The future Asia-Pacific should not just be a collective of economies, but a community where young people grow and create the future together, Ni Haidong, Party secretary of Beijing Language and Culture University, said on Friday.

北京语言大学党委书记倪海东周五表示，未来的亚太地区不应仅仅是经济体的集合，而应是一个年轻人共同成长、共创未来的社区。

He noted that the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation has long been a model of regional collaboration, extending beyond shared markets and resources to include shared ideals and responsibilities.

他指出，亚太经合组织长期以来一直是区域合作的典范，不仅涵盖共同的市场和资源，还包括共同的理想和责任。

"Education should not merely serve economic growth; it must lead sustainable social development and the common progress of humanity," Ni said.

倪海东说：“教育不应仅仅服务于经济增长；它必须引领可持续的社会发展和人类的共同进步。”

He emphasized the pivotal role of education in shaping regional cooperation and global progress during his address at the APEC Education Forum held in Beijing on Friday.

他在周五于北京举办的亚太经合组织教育论坛上致辞时强调了教育在推动区域合作和全球进步中的关键作用。

The future of APEC education development hinges on how to ensure equitable access to education for all young people, how to better harness technology for societal advancement, and how to foster consensus amid cultural diversity, he said.

他说，亚太经合组织教育发展的未来取决于如何确保所有青少年平等享有受教育机会，如何更好地利用科技推动社会进步以及如何在文化多样性中促进共识。

Highlighting the foundational role of language and culture, Ni, whose university has trained over 300,000 international students from 189 countries and regions, described language as a key to communication and a gateway to civilizational understanding.

倪海东强调了语言和文化的基础性作用，他所在的大学已培养了来自189个国家和地区的30多万名国际学生，他将语言描述为沟通的钥匙和通向文明理解的门户。

He noted that combining language education with a humanistic spirit and technological innovation creates a new educational paradigm, enabling more open learning, equitable exchange, and sustainable cooperation.

他指出，将语言教育与人文精神和科技创新相结合，创造了一种新的教育模式，使学习更加开放、交流更加平等和合作更加可持续。

Ni identified the younger generation as the main force driving global peace and development. "The youth, with their creativity, global awareness, and social responsibility, are the best answer to future challenges," he said.

倪海东认为青年一代是推动全球和平与发展的主要力量。他说：“青年以他们的创造力、全球意识和社会责任感，作为应对未来挑战的最佳答案。”

He stressed the need for education to equip young people with cross-cultural understanding, digital literacy, and a sense of shared humanity to help them navigate globalization and digitalization.

他强调了教育的重要性，认为教育应让年轻人具备跨文化理解能力、数字素养和共同的人性意识，以帮助他们应对全球化和数字化的挑战。