On the morning of July 12, the "Gathering in Xicheng, Building Dreams for the Future" 2024 4th Canal Cities Model United Nations Conference (CCMUN) & Global Citizens Model United Nations Conference China Venue (GCMUN-CHINA) officially opened in Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province. At the opening ceremony, Huang Ping, Consul General of China in New York, Adriani Wahjanto, Deputy Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in China, Yang Jun, Vice President and Secretary-General of the China Education Association for International Exchange, and Kristin Hutchinson, Vice President of the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, sent video messages. Qin Yongxin, Vice Mayor of Wuxi City, Giordano Lorefice, Founder of the United Network Europe (UNE), Stacy Lyon, Director of the Chinese Dual Language Immersion Program in Utah, and others attended the event and delivered speeches.

This conference was specially supported by the Consulate General of China in New York and guided by the United Network Europe (UNE), an official United Nations organization. With the support of the Wuxi Municipal Education Bureau and the Wuxi Municipal People's Government Foreign Affairs Office, it was co-hosted by the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia and the Window to Philadelphia, and organized by Denuo International Education. The official event lasted for four days and attracted nearly 200 student delegates from around the world, including 30 American teachers and students specially invited by the Window to Philadelphia who had just arrived in China, as well as a delegation of five from the United Network Europe.

Also attending the opening ceremony were special guests including Yu Ting, Deputy Secretary-General of the Jiangsu Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Full-time Deputy Chairman of the Jiangsu Provincial Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy; Gu Wenlong, Deputy Secretary-General of the Wuxi Municipal People's Government; Fan Liang, Secretary of the Wuxi Municipal Education Working Committee; Xiao Jing, Deputy Director of the Wuxi Municipal Education Bureau; Ye Zheng, Deputy Director of the Wuxi Municipal People's Government Foreign Affairs Office; Xu Chengjie, President of the Wuxi Education International Exchange Association; and Zhang Wenlong, Founder of the Window to Philadelphia and Jiangsu Provincial International Friendship Ambassador.

At the opening ceremony, Huang Ping, Consul General of China in New York, extended warm congratulations on the successful opening of the conference and expressed sincere gratitude to the Wuxi Municipal Government and the Wuxi Municipal Education Bureau for their hard work in organizing the event. Consul General Huang Ping stated that Wuxi, known as the Pearl of Taihu Lake, has always warmly welcomed friendly exchanges with countries around the world. He believed that Wuxi's profound historical and cultural heritage would bring more inspiration to the Chinese and foreign student delegates. He hoped that while discussing global hot topics, the delegates would remember the mission of building a community with a shared future for mankind and promote the common development and progress of all humanity. Finally, he wished the student delegates outstanding achievements at this year's Canal Cities Model United Nations Conference and hoped that Chinese and foreign students would shine on the international stage in the near future.

Qin Yongxin, Vice Mayor of Wuxi City, stated that Wuxi is a city with a long history, a developed economy, a splendid culture, convenient transportation, and beautiful scenery. The Wuxi Municipal Government is committed to promoting global youth exchanges through the Canal Cities brand and the Canal Cities Model United Nations Conference, providing a platform for young people to showcase their talents and grow. He looked forward to more young talents coming to Wuxi to pursue their dreams and create a better future together.

Giordano Lorefice, Founder of the United Network Europe (UNE), delivered a keynote speech introducing the United Network Europe (UNE) and its efforts to promote global youth exchanges. UNE is committed to promoting innovative learning experiences for young students in Europe (especially Italy and France) and the United States. Its Global Citizens Model United Nations Conference (GCMUN) brings together young people from around the world for meaningful dialogue. He looked forward to cooperating with the Canal Cities Model United Nations Conference to cultivate the international vision and cooperation abilities of global youth, jointly address global challenges, and nurture the next generation of global leaders.

Adriani Wahjanto, Deputy Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in China, also sent a video message. Ms. Wahjanto expressed her delight that the Canal Cities Model United Nations Conference continued to participate in the UNHCR's Model United Nations Refugee Challenge this year, as the world stage needs the participation of young people. The Canal Cities Model United Nations Conference is an important event that brings together young people with a global vision to discuss crucial humanitarian topics and strengthens youth participation in world affairs. She looked forward to more dialogue among young people and greater contributions to world peace and development.

Stacy Lyon, Director of the Chinese Dual Language Immersion Program in Utah, stated that Utah has always been committed to promoting immersive Chinese language education and has made significant contributions to spreading Chinese language and culture in the United States. She expressed her delight in leading nearly 20 teachers and students from Utah to participate in this year's conference, strengthening dialogue between Chinese and American youth and helping American students understand and fall in love with China.

Yang Jun, Secretary-General of the China Education Association for International Exchange, extended sincere congratulations on the successful opening of the Canal Cities Model United Nations Conference and warm greetings to all the guests and participating teachers and students. He said that Wuxi, as a canal city, has nurtured a unique Jiangnan canal water town culture. The Canal Cities Model United Nations Conference, with its global perspective and forward-looking vision, actively participates in global governance with a sense of responsibility and innovative spirit. As a cross-border and cross-cultural exchange platform, it provides an important stage for young students from different countries and regions to showcase their talents, exchange ideas, and hone their skills.

Kristin Hutchinson, Vice President of the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, and Zhang Wenlong, Founder of the Window to Philadelphia, stated that the Canal Cities Model United Nations Conference is committed to elite education and high-level academic discussions and innovative activities. They hoped that the delegates would not only learn to think carefully, negotiate, and seek common ground while reserving differences but also enhance their tolerance and broad-mindedness. At the same time, they would gain rich social science knowledge.

The conference was officially declared open by Zhang Wenlong, Founder of the Window to Philadelphia.

**International Education (Principal) Seminar**

Dozens of middle school principals and leading teachers from across the country and overseas also attended the opening ceremony and participated in an education salon on the theme of cultivating a new generation of young people with global competence. Chinese and foreign education experts engaged in lively discussions and freely exchanged ideas.

During the next three days of activities, the participating young people will follow the rules of United Nations meetings, represent different countries, and discuss hot international topics such as ensuring a sustainable and equitable future for people with disabilities, transforming cities for a better urban future, protecting refugee children, and exploring international cooperation and sustainable development paths for the new energy industry. The UNHCR Committee will also participate in the official challenge, and the resolution results generated through debate are expected to be included in the official "Policy Library" of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.