Zhang Yu JeniZhang13@163.com “Shenzhen is one of the seven cities in China that faces water shortages. How do we mobilize more people to pay attention to and protect water resources?” Two teenagers’ role models, Wu Jingwen and Feng Zifan, delivered speeches at the Shenzhen Municipal Party-masses Service Center on Saturday morning with the theme of “Protecting Water Resources.” Wu and Feng were both winners of this year’s “Good Youth of the New Era in Guangdong Province” title. The speeches sparked heated discussions among the children, parents and experts at the event, which was the first session of a series of talks that aim to provide a platform for children to participate in public affairs and interact with experts from all walks of life. The event started with a small interaction activity revolving around the Chinese character”水” (water), in which children and parents were encouraged to write Chinese characters with the component of “水” (water), and to imagine creating a word or a picture. The activity was meant to help children realize the connection and relationship between water and human beings. Wu, from Donghai Experimental Primary School in Futian District, delivered a keynote speech titled “Don’t let tears become the last drop of clean water on the Earth.” Drawing from her own experience, Wu called for efforts to protect water resources with practical actions. Feng, a sailor and a graduate of the Futian Foreign Language School, delivered a keynote speech on “Being the guardian of the blue planet.” Feng talked about how he found out how other countries and cities protect the marine environment when he took part in sailing competitions. “When we are training on the sea, we would pick up the rubbish wherever we would see it. I hope more people can take good care of the ocean and protect it,” Feng said in his speech. At the event, experts and the audience also held discussions on the importance of water, how to protect water resources, and how to save water at home, school and the workplace. The event was sponsored by the Shenzhen Women’s Federation, and co-organized by the Shenzhen Municipal Party-masses Service Center and the Shenzhen Women and Children’s Development Foundation. The program was presented in the TEDTalks format, which aims to bring children’s perspectives into the decision-making system of urban governance. The current series of talks includes five sessions, with topics covering environmental protection, urban sustainable development and children’s rights and interests. | 