The Centre for Policy Innovation and Development (CPID) has concluded its inaugural workshop, “Empowering the Youth in a Changing World: Opportunities from China-Sri Lanka Cooperation,” bringing together 45 young leaders from professional, academic and social backgrounds in Colombo.

According to CPID, the workshop focused on helping participants understand the changing global landscape and explore opportunities emerging from cooperation between Sri Lanka and China.

Discussions covered geopolitics, economic transformation, technological innovation, governance and youth leadership, with four resource persons addressing participants from their respective areas of expertise.

Association for Sri Lanka-China Socio-Cultural Partnership Chairman Indrananda Abeysekara discussed bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and China, emerging challenges and opportunities, Chinese culture and China’s approach to human development.

Asia Progress Forum Convener Vinod Munasinghe addressed China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, outlining its priorities and potential implications for economic development, regional cooperation and opportunities for young people.

Political commentator Hemantha Srilal discussed digital culture, youth-led protest movements and the changing role of young people in South Asia’s political and social landscape.

Dilanka Karunarathne, a Master of Public Administration graduate from Tsinghua University, shared his experiences of studying in China and discussed governance, public policy and leadership.

The sessions also included interactive discussions and question-and-answer segments on global developments and opportunities related to China-Sri Lanka cooperation.

CPID said it plans to conduct similar workshops across Sri Lanka in the coming months as part of its efforts to provide young people with opportunities to engage with policy, international affairs and leadership issues.