The China-United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF), a non-profit founded by Hong Kong’s First Chief Executive Mr. Tung Chee-hwa, has announced the CUSEF Young Leaders Scholarship at the One Young World Summit in Belfast.

The Summit is widely recognized as the leading global youth forum. This year, more than 2,000 people from 190+ countries and 250+ organizations convened in Belfast from October 2-5, among them Queen Rania of Jordan, President Juan Manuel Santos, Sir Bob Geldof, Paul Pohlman and Rio Ferdinand.

CUSEF Young Leaders Scholarship

During the event James Chau, who also serves as a World Health Organization Goodwill Ambassador, unveiled the CUSEF Young Leaders Scholarship. Eight outstanding individuals aged between 18 and 30 years old will be selected from a global search. Successful applicants will benefit from a 12-month leadership training program from One Young World. Candidates from any country can apply, but they must have a proven record of positive impact in global challenges such as climate justice, ending poverty, food security, gender equality and public health.

“The China-United States Exchange Foundation is honored to provide this life-changing opportunity for eight young people to partner for peace,” said CUSEF President James Chau. “With the expertise of One Young World behind us, our scholars will have the skills and confidence to go out into the world and make a lasting impact. We want to build and accelerate a next generation of champions—and link their work to the enduring opportunity that the U.S.- China relationship represents.”

Call for applications will begin in early 2024, followed by a competition to identify the inaugural class of CUSEF scholars. The scholars will benefit from the Hong Kong-based organization’s long-time commitment to youth and education. Since 2008, CUSEF has brought more than 2,000 American students to China, including some 800 students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).Ella Robertson McKay, One Young World Managing Director, said: “Young people have to say proudly and without fear that we reject a world of conflict, we reject a world where competition trumps compassion, and we embrace a world where we see the humanity in everyperson. CUSEF and One Young World can be vehicles for that exchange and for that important conversation.”