Program Review
From September 1–7, 2026, IIEI was proud to organize and accompany a delegation of more than 10 students from Harvard University, the University of California, Riverside, and the University of Washington to participate in the Future Makers 2026: China–U.S. Youth Tour for a Shared Asia-Pacific Future.
Co-hosted by the Beijing NGO Network for International Exchanges and the Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation, the week-long program brought together approximately 100 students from 10 U.S. universities, alongside young people from Beijing and Shandong, for an immersive experience centered on cultural exchange, innovation, and youth dialogue.
Exploring China Through Culture, Innovation, and Dialogue
The journey began in Jinan, Shandong, where participants joined the Asia-Pacific Civil Society Conference before traveling to Qufu, the hometown of Confucius. Students explored important Confucian heritage sites, experienced traditional Chinese culture, and engaged with students from Qufu Normal University in discussions about cultural identity, “harmony in diversity,” and the continued relevance of Confucian thought in contemporary society.
The program then continued in Beijing, where participants experienced both China’s historic heritage and its rapidly evolving technology landscape. Visits included the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and Great Wall, alongside innovation-focused experiences at Beijing E-Town Robot World, the Beijing High-Level Autonomous Driving Demonstration Area, and Xiaomi’s automobile factory. Students also participated in dialogue sessions at Tsinghua University, discussing technology, sustainability, youth leadership, and Asia-Pacific cooperation.
The journey concluded at Yanqi Lake, the site of the 2014 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, where Chinese and American participants planted a “Forest for Tomorrow” as a symbol of friendship and shared aspirations for the future.
IIEI’s Delegation
For IIEI, this program was an opportunity to help students move beyond learning about China from a distance and instead experience its people, culture, education, and innovation firsthand.
Our delegation brought together students from Harvard, UC Riverside, and the University of Washington, representing diverse academic and personal backgrounds. Throughout the week, they exchanged ideas with peers from across the United States and China, participated in academic and cultural discussions, explored emerging technologies, and built friendships across institutions and national borders.
More than a study tour, the experience reflected one of IIEI’s core goals: creating meaningful opportunities for young people to learn across cultures through direct experience, thoughtful dialogue, and lasting human connections.
We are grateful to our students, partners, and program hosts for making this journey possible, and we look forward to creating more international learning experiences in the future.
