UZ team bags three top awards in the Final! 津大代表队创新大赛连中三元！

From July 20 to 27, 2025, four students and a teacher from the University of Zimbabwe participated in the Global Development Public Policy Youth Innovation Contest finals and related events hosted by Renmin University of China. The UZ team delivered an outstanding performance, winning the Excellent Proposal Award, Best Team Collaboration Award, and Honourable Proposal Award.

2025年7月20日至27日，来自津巴布韦大学的四位学生和一位老师，参加了由中国人民大学主办的“全球发展公共政策青年创新大赛决赛”及其系列活动。津巴布韦大学代表队在比赛中表现优异，一举斩获优秀提案奖、最佳团队合作奖和荣誉提案奖等三项大奖。

From The Root of Zimbabwe to Beijing, China: 

How Zimbabwean Youths are Shaping Global Development Public Policy through Youth Innovation and Purpose.  “Youth and innovation are natural partners. We urgently need young people’s inspiration to achieve the 2030 Agenda,” echoes Francis Garry, Co-Chair, UN SDGs Academic Committee.  从津巴布韦到中国北京：津巴布韦青年如何通过青年创新与使命，塑造全球发展公共政策 。“青年与创新是天然的伙伴。我们迫切需要年轻人的灵感来实现2030年议程。”——联合国可持续发展目标学术委员会联合主席 Francis Garry 如是说道。 

In a world reeling from unprecedented global challenges — from climate change to food insecurity, rising inequality, and public health crises — there exists a powerful yet often overlooked force: youth innovation. From July 20th to 27th, 2025, four students from the University of Zimbabwe became living proof of this force. 在一个因气候变化、粮食不安全、日益加剧的不平等和公共卫生危机而动荡不安的世界中，存在着一股强大却常被忽视的力量：青年创新。  2025年7月20日至27日，来自津巴布韦大学的四位学生，成为了这股力量的生动写照。 

➢ The Beginning: Innovation Rooted in Reality 起点：扎根现实的创新  

Our journey began in the classrooms, communities, and kitchens of Zimbabwe. Motivated by the contest theme “Food Security and Poverty Alleviation,” we dug into a painful but necessary question: Why do so many Zimbabwean children still go to school hungry?  我们的旅程始于津巴布韦的教室、社区与家庭厨房。受大赛主题“粮食安全与减贫”的启发，我们直面一个痛苦却必要的问题：为什么仍有那么多津巴布韦孩子饿着肚子去上学？ 

Through a nationwide snap survey involving teachers and parents, and a case study at Tafara Primary School in Mabvuku, we found that child malnutrition was not just an economic issue. It was a policy vacuum, a legacy of colonial diets, and a crisis of education. Our solution? A bold proposal titled:  “Advancing Healthy Diets Through Education: Towards an Integrated Policy and Legal Framework for School Feeding Programme in Zimbabwe.”  通过一项覆盖全国教师与家长的快速调查，以及在Mabvuku地区Tafara小学的个案研究，我们发现儿童营养不良不仅是经济问题。 更是政策真空、殖民饮食遗产与教育危机的体现。我们的解决方案？一个大胆的提案，题为：“通过教育推动健康饮食：构建津巴布韦校园供餐计划的整合政策与法律框架。”  

We envisioned a nationwide school feeding program rooted in indigenous food systems, driven by community ownership, and protected through a robust legal framework. We believed — and still believe — that the road to zero hunger runs through the schoolyard. Out of 384 global entries, our proposal made it to the Top 15, earning us a seat at the finals in Beijing, China — a moment that felt like standing at the edge of history.  我们始终坚信，通往“零饥饿”的道路，始于校园。我们设想了一个全国性的校园供餐计划，根植于本土食物系统，由社区主导，并通过强有力的法律框架加以保障。在全球384份参赛作品中，我们的提案跻身前15强，赢得前往中国北京参加决赛的资格——那一刻，我们仿佛站在了历史的边缘。 

➢ From Harare to Beijing: Stepping Onto the Global Stage 从哈拉雷到北京：登上全球舞台

Landing in Beijing was both exhilarating and humbling. The skyline was unfamiliar. The languages were different. But the energy? Unmistakably youthful, purposeful, and revolutionary. The Renmin University of China became our home for three days.  From the moment we walked into the opening ceremony, surrounded by bright minds from across the globe — Pakistan, Belgium, Indonesia, Spain, the USA — we knew this was no ordinary event.  This was a summit of future policymakers, and we were proud to fly the Zimbabwean flag high.  抵达北京，既令人振奋，又令人谦卑。陌生的天际线，不同的语言，但氛围？毫无疑问是年轻、有目标、充满革命性的。中国人民大学成为我们三天的家。从踏入开幕式的那一刻起，我们就知道这不是一场普通的大会。这是一场未来政策制定者的峰会，而我们自豪地高举着津巴布韦的旗帜。 

➢ The Moment of Truth: Our 10 Minutes of Transformation 关键时刻：10分钟的蜕变  

On July 21st, 2025, we walked onto the main stage of the 1st Global Development Public Policy Youth Innovation Contest. In front of international judges, professors, UN officials, and student observers, we had just 10 minutes to present our vision. Every word was carefully crafted. Every slide is backed by data. Every team member spoke not just with confidence but with the lived conviction of youth who knew what hunger felt like, what resilience meant, and what the power of policy could do. The response?  Thunderous applause. Nods of approval. A call to action. While many strong proposals were shared — from Belgium’s “Scrap Snacks Soko” mobile food initiative to agricultural innovation projects from Asia — we were deeply proud that our proposal was praised for being “visionary, feasible, and unapologetically African.”    2025年7月21日，我们走上“全球发展公共政策青年创新大赛”的主舞台。 在国际评委、教授、联合国官员与学生观察员面前，我们只有10分钟来呈现我们的愿景。 每一个字都经过精心打磨，每一页幻灯片都有数据支撑。每一位队员不仅自信满满，更带着对饥饿的亲身体验、对韧性的深刻理解，以及对政策力量的坚定信念。回应是什么？雷鸣般的掌声。认可的点头。行动的号召。尽管来自比利时的“Scrap Snacks Soko”移动食品计划、亚洲的农业创新项目等提案同样出色，但我们的提案因其“富有远见、切实可行、毫不妥协地非洲”而备受赞誉。

➢ Recognition Beyond Medals: Awards That Spoke Volumes 超越奖牌：意义非凡的奖项 

When the final awards were announced, we were overwhelmed not by pride, but by purpose. We received: Best Team Collaboration Award – For seamless synergy, respect, and shared vision.  Excellent Proposal Award – For clarity, depth, and direct alignment with the SDGs. Honourable Proposal Award – For commitment to inclusion and equitable development. These were not just plaques for our wall. They were a validation of years of hard work, mentorship, and belief in our country’s youth potential.  当最终奖项揭晓时，我们感受到的不是骄傲，而是使命。我们获得了： • 最佳团队合作奖——表彰无缝协作、尊重与共通愿景。• 优秀提案奖——表彰其清晰度、深度与对可持续发展目标的直接契合。• 荣誉提案奖——表彰其对包容与公平发展的承诺。这些不仅是墙上的奖牌，更是对多年努力、指导与对国家青年潜力的信念的肯定。 

➢ Beyond the Contest: A Living Curriculum in Global Policy 超越竞赛：全球政策的活课堂

Our time in China was filled with moments that stretched our minds and souls: 

1. Museum Visits at Renmin University. We explored ancient Chinese philosophies, the role of Confucianism in education, and the historic academic ties between Renmin and the University of Zimbabwe — a moment that made us feel not like guests, but family.  

我们在中国的时光充满了拓展思维与灵魂的瞬间： 

1. 中国人民大学博物馆之行:我们探索了中国古代哲学、儒家思想在教育中的作用，以及中国人民大学与津巴布韦大学之间历史悠久的学术联系——那一刻，我们不再是客人，而是家人。  

2. The Great Wall of China. Climbing the Great Wall, we felt the enormity of human determination. Each stone whispered stories of centuries past of dynasties that rose and fell, of sacrifices made for unity and peace. As we stood atop this architectural marvel, looking out across the mountains and forests, we couldn’t help but reflect: if walls could speak, they would ask us not to divide but to build bridges of understanding across continents. It was a symbolic reminder that greatness, whether in stone or in policy, takes vision, time, and collective effort. 

2. 长城之行:攀登长城，我们感受到人类决心的磅礴力量。每一块砖石都在低声诉说着过去数百年的故事——王朝的兴衰、为团结与和平所做出的牺牲。当我们站在这座建筑奇迹之巅，俯瞰群山与林海时，不禁沉思：如果城墙会说话，它们定不会让我们彼此分隔，而是呼吁我们架起跨越大洲的理解之桥。它象征着，无论以石筑之伟绩，还是以政策之宏图，伟大皆需远见、岁月与共同的努力。

3. Yuanjia Village: Where Tradition Feeds the Future. Here, we witnessed rural revitalization in action. A once-sleepy village, now a buzzing culinary and tourism hub, where youth return after university because salaries are high and pride in culture is higher.  

3. 袁家村：让传统喂养未来。在这里，我们亲眼见证了乡村振兴的生动案例。一个曾经沉寂的小村庄，如今已成为热闹非凡的美食与旅游中心；大学毕业后，年轻人愿意回到这里，因为收入可观，对文化的自豪也更加高涨。 

4. Xi’an City Wall: Urban Planning Across Centuries. The ancient wall showed us how infrastructure, preservation, and public engagement can go hand in hand — a lesson for African cities grappling with urban sprawl and poor planning.  

4. 西安城墙：跨越世纪的城市规划。这座古城墙让我们看到，基础设施、历史保护与公众参与可以并行不悖——这对正在与无序扩张和规划滞后搏斗的非洲城市而言，是一堂生动的示范课。  

5. Terracotta Warriors. Equally awe-inspiring was our visit to the Terracotta Warriors Museum in Xi’an. Seeing thousands of life-sized clay soldiers, silently guarding an emperor’s legacy, we were struck by the artistry, discipline, and scale of ancient Chinese innovation. Each figure, unique and meticulously crafted, taught us that history remembers those who think beyond their time. As young Africans in China, we saw our mission mirrored there: to be guardians of legacy, not through clay or conquest but through ideas, courage, and compassion.  

5. 兵马俑：同样令人震撼的，是我们在西安兵马俑博物馆的参观。数千尊真人般大小的陶俑静默伫立，守护着一位帝王的千秋功业，古代中国所展现的艺术造诣、严明纪律与创新规模让我们深受触动。每一尊兵俑都独一无二、精雕细琢，它们告诉我们：历史铭记的，永远是那些超越时代思考的人。作为身在中国的非洲青年，我们在其中看到了自己的使命：成为遗产的守护者，不靠陶土，不靠征伐，而靠思想、勇气与同情。 

6. Agricultural Innovation in Xianyang. At the Northwest A&F University’s museums, we learned how soil science, entomology, and indigenous herbs can uplift farmers, heal lands, and preserve ecosystems. These weren’t just field trips. They were living policy laboratories, reminding us that development is as much about tradition as it is about transformation.  

6. 咸阳农业创新之行：在西北农林科技大学的博物馆里，我们学习到土壤科学、昆虫学以及本土药草如何帮助农民、修复土地、守护生态系统。这些不仅仅是实地考察，更是活的政策实验室，提醒我们：发展既是变革，也关乎传统。  

➢ Lessons That Will Outlive the Event 将超越赛事本身的收获  

We didn’t just attend a contest — we experienced a life-changing academic exchange. We returned to Zimbabwe with:  • Stronger skills in policy research, data collection, and proposal-writing;• Global friendships and professional networks that will shape our careers;• Renewed confidence in the power of African ideas on global platforms. 我们并非只是参加了一场比赛—我们经历了一次改变生命的学术交流。我们带着以下收获回到津巴布韦：在政策研究、数据收集与提案撰写方面更强的能力；将塑造我们职业生涯的全球友谊与专业网络；对非洲思想在全球舞台上力量的全新信心。 

➢ Gratitude: Because No Journey is Walked Alone 致谢：没有一段旅程是独自完成的  

We owe this milestone to those who lit the path: 

• University of Zimbabwe – For unwavering institutional support and visionary leadership under Prof. Paul Mapfumo • Prof. Ancila Nhamo and Prof. F. Mtambanengwe – For academic mentorship that turned strangers into a dream team • Confucius Institute at UZ – For logistical support that made this trip possible • Renmin University of China – For flawless organization, intellectual warmth, and cultural hospitality • Tafara Primary School – For opening their doors and hearts to our research  我们要把这一里程碑献给为我们点亮前路的所有人：津巴布韦大学——在Paul Mapfumo 教授领导下始终如一的机构支持与远见领导；Ancila Nhamo 教授与 F. Mtambanengwe 教授——以学术指导把陌生人变成梦之队；津巴布韦大学孔子学院——在后勤上的支持，让此行成真；中国人民大学——无懈可击的组织、学术热情与文化款待；Tafara 小学——向我们的研究敞开大门与心扉  

Special thanks to Mr. Madongerere (photography), Mr. Mupeti (design), and our phenomenal team guide Olivia — the unsung heroes of our Beijing chapter. 特别感谢 Madongerere 先生（摄影）、Mupeti 先生（设计），以及我们出色的团队领队Olivia——北京篇章的无名英雄。 

➢ A Call to Fellow Youth: You Are Not the Future — You Are the Now 致青年伙伴：你们不是未来——你们就是现在 

This journey taught us that: 

• Policy isn’t only for parliaments. It belongs to the people — especially the youth. 

• Africa doesn’t need to copy models. We can export solutions. 

• The greatest resource in any nation is its young minds with a mission. 

We challenge every young person reading this: dream beyond borders, speak beyond fear, and build beyond what’s broken. The world needs your boldness. 这段旅程告诉我们：政策不只属于议会，它属于人民——尤其是青年；非洲无需复制模式，我们可以输出解决方案；一个国家最宝贵的资源，是肩负使命的年轻头脑。我们向每一位正在阅读此文的年轻人发出挑战：超越边界去梦想，超越恐惧去发声，超越破碎去建设。世界需要你的勇气。  

➢ Conclusion: From Beijing to Harare to the World 结语：从北京到哈拉雷，再到世界 

• We left Zimbabwe with a proposal. • We returned with a purpose.  

Let our journey remind the world that when youth are given a platform, they don’t just participate — they lead. And when Africa’s children are invited to the table, they don’t just eat — they cook a new recipe for justice, equity, and sustainable development. The world is watching. And Zimbabwe is ready. Follow our journey, share our vision, and let’s build a future where no child goes to school hungry.  我们带着一份提案离开津巴布韦。我们带着一份使命归来。让我们的旅程提醒世界：当青年被给予舞台时，他们不只是参与者——他们是引领者。 当非洲的孩子被邀请入席时，他们不只是进食——他们会烹制出关于正义、公平与可持续发展的新配方。 世界正在注视。 津巴布韦，已准备就绪。 跟随我们的旅程，分享我们的愿景，让我们共同建设一个“没有孩子饿着肚子上学”的未来。  

作者 Valence Kudzaishe Mahoso                               编译 李丽琴 审核 Shoko