The award ceremony for the project Origins of Brazil was held at Tsinghua University on July 27th. Paulo Estivallet, Ambassador of Brazil to China, Shahbaz Khan, UNESCO Representative to China, Celso Pereira, Minister-Counselor of the Embassy of Brazil in China, and Larissa Lima Costa, Public Diplomacy Director of the Embassy of Brazil in China, were invited to attend the ceremony.

Yang Bin, Vice President of Tsinghua University, Hu Yu, Administrative Dean of the School of Journalism and Communication as well as students and other representatives were also present at the ceremony hosted by Zhang Li, Associate Professor of the School of Journalism and Communication.

On behalf of Tsinghua University, Vice President Yang Bin welcomed the guests and addressed the friendship between Brazil and China. In the face of the current complex international situation, building a new world of openness, respect, and mutual trust requires the joint action of more institutions, especially the efforts of the young generation, he said.

Yang said that the project strengthens the exchange and cooperation between Tsinghua University and the Brazilian Embassy in China, UNESCO, and other international organizations, and contributes to the cultivation of young students with global competence.

Ambassador Paulo Estivallet said that Brazil and China have long maintained friendly and cooperative relations in the political and economic fields. However, there is still much to discover and learn for better mutual understanding at the cultural level.

The Embassy attaches great importance to the project's initiative and expects to publish its results to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Brazil's independence next year, he said. It is hoped that this will help convey values, attitudes, and behaviors conducive to dialogue, non-violence, and cultural harmony across Brazilian and Chinese youths.

Ambassador Estivallet spoke highly of the leading role of Tsinghua University's Cultural and Creative Institute for the event's organization and the outstanding work of Tsinghua’s young students, saying that the event set the beginning of a long and robust cooperation between Brazil and China in culture and education. He is looking forward to the future with more new projects and initiatives to emerge.

Professor Hu Yu, who is in charge of the project, gave an overall presentation on the ceremony. He said that the "Global Competence Overseas Practice Course" three years earlier laid the foundation for today's cooperation with the Brazilian Embassy, from which students across nine departments of Tsinghua thoroughly enjoyed the reputation of Brazil as the "country of the future," and experienced the nation's openness and inclusiveness.

Professor Hu underscores the importance to strengthen the exchanges between Brazil and China and looks forward to the publication of illustrated books, a key output of the "Origins of Brazil" project, which will bring Brazil closer to children in China and enhance mutual understanding, communication and further cooperation.

Shahbaz Khan, the UNESCO representative in China, also delivered a keynote speech. Mr. Khan discussed the relationship between international cultural exchange and sustainable development. He pointed out that in the face of new challenges, there is a growing recognition that cultural issues should no longer be limited to the passive preservation of history but should help shape and promote the sustainable prospects of the future.

The project reflects the understanding and appreciation of other cultures by creative, promising, and capable young minds and inspires UNESCO to promote sustainable development, he said.

In the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development, Mr. Khan hopes to further work with Tsinghua University, embassies in China, and various international organizations to continue supporting young people to promote social innovation.

The Origins of Brazil children's book illustration contest was officially launched at Tsinghua University on April 6th. Throughout the two months, the organizing committee selected and evaluated works of 12 teams from several schools of Tsinghua. At the ceremony, Ambassador Valle awarded relevant teams with honorary certificates and prizes. The team led by Chen from the School of Journalism and Communication was the final winner.

Based on the creative design work of the winning team, the illustrated book "Origins of Brazil" will be published at the end of this year. The book upholds the goal of boosting Chinese children's understanding of Brazil's history, geography, and culture, according to Zong Junfeng, President of Tsinghua University Press. The representatives of China and Brazil inaugurated the book launch.

"Origins of Brazil" is a cooperation project between the Embassy of Brazil in China, UNESCO Beijing Office, and the Institute of Cultural and Creative Development of Tsinghua University, aiming to promote civilizational dialogue between Chinese and Brazilian youths through cultural and creative events, publications, exhibitions, and communications, and to convey the cultural values of mutual respect and harmony.

The event is supported by Tsinghua University Press, the School of Fine Arts, and the Student Global Competence Development Guidance Center and sponsored by Huawei Technologies and Suzano.

新闻摘编自：https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/jayELdp96R9TzArv2rTNiA