On the 10th of Janurary Vice Premier of China Li Keqiang stopped off in Scotland to meet Alex Salmond and sign off on several historic business deals between China and Scotland. The technology, food, drink and renewables sectors all landed groundbreaking deals to the tune of  tens of millions of pounds. Vice Premier Li Keqiang finished his visit [...]]]>

On the 10th of Janurary Vice Premier of China Li Keqiang stopped off in Scotland to meet Alex Salmond and sign off on several historic business deals between China and Scotland. The technology, food, drink and renewables sectors all landed groundbreaking deals to the tune of  tens of millions of pounds. Vice Premier Li Keqiang finished his visit by announcing the impending arrival of two very important ambassadors from China. An agreement has been signed to bring two giant pandas to Edinburgh Zoo, the first to live in the UK for 17 years. The deal was signed at Lancaster House in London by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland and the Chinese Wildlife Conservation Association It was witnessed by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Vice Premier of China Li Keqiang. Tian Tian and Yangguang, a breeding pair born in 2003, will be under the custodianship of the zoo society. The project represents the culmination of five years of political and diplomatic negotiation at the highest level and it is anticipated the giant pandas will arrive in their new home as soon as a date is agreed.

Both the 48 Group Club and Young Icebreakers have played their part in this historic deal, and this sort of success reminds us of why we work so hard to build bridges between the UK and China.

Dr Judith McClure of the 48 Group Club and SCEN has kindly given us an insight into the world behind the scenes where a great deal of celebrating has begun.

‘David Windmill, Chief Executive of the Royal Zoological Society Scotland, hosted a magnificent Chinese Banquet at Edinburgh Zoo to celebrate the coming of the Giant Pandas. The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Mike Russell MSP, and Mme Tan Xiutian, Consul General for the PR of China in Edinburgh, were honoured guests, with a distinguished delegation from the China Wildlife Conservation Trust. We were euphoric! As delicious courses followed one another, so did the toasts. All of us were conscious of the significance of this occasion, marking as it did the extraordinary event of the visit of Vice Premier Li and his Ministers to Edinburgh and the very significant trade agreements which resulted. Scotland, despite its size, is the friend of China, and our relationship has been cemented by the forthcoming arrival of the two Giant Pandas. I sat next to the Deputy Director of the Giant Panda Office in Beijing. We tried to work out why Giant Pandas are so attractive to all of us, and reckon it is because they are not aggressive and they have the winsome qualities of human babies! As Convener of the Scotland China Education Network, I am hoping that every child and young person in Scotland and many from the rest of the UK will get the chance to be entranced by the Pandas, and as a consequence want to learn more China and about the natural world.’

Dr Judith McClure CBE, Convener of SCEN

‘Opportunities like this offer an occasion to grow closer together in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation. The world is turning to you as young leaders to find the means to live and work harmoniously together.

You as future leaders need to have strength of [...]]]> Click here for UK CHINA 400 / ICEBREAKER MAIN PAGE

‘Opportunities like this offer an occasion to grow closer together in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation. The world is turning to you as young leaders to find the means to live and work harmoniously together.

You as future leaders need to have strength of will and character to provide strong and ethical guidance to your peers and followers. The issues that you face are some of the most difficult ever to face humanity. Some with a degree of understatement call these challenges. I hope for all our sakes that you are willing to accept these challenges – created by others.’

Eric Balish, Director of Trade and Finance Barclays Commercial Bank, talking at the event

I know that Scotland was the usual success, and I know the content of the programme was greatly appreciated (mentioned by the group leader at the farewell lunch).

Your enthusiasm and support has helped the whole thing reach a very positive conclusion, from what was a difficult start. We Europeans do not do big numbers well and it challenges our individualism, somewhat, but the strength of interest has grown, and numbers of individuals, on both sides, have made valuable links.

Gordon Blakely, Director Youth Education, Science & Society, British Council

The Young Icebreakers – British Council UK-China 400 business exchange took place for the second time in our premises at the Confucius Institute. We are delighted and proud to host these events. Excellent presentations, colourful cross cultural activities and lively discussion and networking taking place among inspired and expert young leaders make this a wonderful opportunity to bring young professionals from Scotland and China into a true dialogue - which fits exactly into the Institute’s agenda: facilitating exchange, building bridges between education and business, and enhancing career opportunities between the young people of Scotland and China.

Professor Natascha Gentz
Chair of Chinese, Head of Asian Studies, Dean International (China) Edinburgh University and Director of the Confucius Institute for Scotland

‘It was exciting to see the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs from Scotland and China working together, sharing ideas and building working relationships for the future. The young Icebreakers put together a great programme and the exchange visits can only serve to strengthen ties between our countries. I was impressed by the level of interest and the detailed and focussed questions that the group asked about Scotland’s Greener policies from the low carbon economy to renewable technology and community action.’

Jon Rathjen, Greener Scotland Division Scottish Government

“Meetings of the Young Icebreakers present an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs and business people from China and the UK to share their insights and ambitions. At a time of economic change and transition around the world, the relationships we build through such encounters matter more than ever！”

Owen Kelly, Director of Scottish Financial Enterprise

‘Hi Adam,

Just wanted to drop you a note say thanks for yesterday. It was great for us to have some quality discussions with our Chinese visitors, and to start thinking of innovative ways of bringing emerging leaders from both countries closer together. Speaking both personally and for Standard Life, I can see great value in this event, and look forward to further opportunities in the future.’

Robert Amos HR Graduate, Group Transformation at Standard Life

It was great for our guests from the China Youth Federation to meet a young dynamic group of Scotland’s next generation of leaders.  The interactive sessions overcame the language difficulties and the excellent speakers from Arup and Barclays, that had been organised by the Young Icebreakers, set the tone for the day:  Mutual respect and a shared desire for individuals from both China and Scotland to work together.

Dr Conor Snowden, Senior Advisor, Science and Climate Change, British Council Scotland

From the 24th to the 26th of November a series of events will see some [...]]]> Following on from the success of the 3 days of events back in March of this year, a delegation of 25 young leaders and entrepreneurs from China will return to Scotland in November to work with their Scottish counterparts, The Young Icebreakers.

From the 24th to the 26th of November a series of events will see some of the best young minds and high performing young professionals from both Scotland and China come together to discuss isuues affecting the Health of the Enviroment and Lifestyle of the generation they will come to lead. It is likely that the official launch event of the Young Icebreakers in Scotland will coincide with this visit; for more information on the programme please click here.

If you wish to attend as a representative of Scotland’s community of Young Leaders please email our Convener at adam@ignite-yourbrand.com

After 3 days of events in Edinburgh meeting their Scottish counterparts, Guo Xiangyu Deputy Secretary-General of the All-China Youth Federation and leader of the delegation of 25 young business leaders from China said they had had ‘ the most meaning-full, positive, productive and fun time with the Scottish Young [...]]]> click here for the main page of event

After 3 days of events in Edinburgh meeting their Scottish counterparts, Guo Xiangyu Deputy Secretary-General of the All-China Youth Federation and leader of the delegation of 25 young business leaders from China said they had had ‘ the most meaning-full, positive, productive and fun time with the Scottish Young Icebreakers’.

The events kicked off on Monday with a day of networking and debate at the stunning Confucius Institute where the 50 young leaders from China and Scotland engaged in talks with Eric Balish (Director of Trade and Finance of Barclays Commercial Bank), Owen Kelly (Director of Scottish Financial Enterprise), Geoff Leask (Head of Operations Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust), Natasha Gentz (Director The Confucius Institute for Scotland) and Paul Docherty (Director British Council Scotland ). The main part of the day was speant working with each other to discuss issues affecting the debate in the environment; the health of future generations, and the material heritage of our culture.

The second day begun with another networking session and lunch at Edinburgh Napiers Craighouse Campus. Here the delegates met some of Napier’s top performing international students and young entrepreneurs from the Moffat Center. Jack Worden, Dean of the International College and staff from Napier’s Business School were on hand to welcome and introduce the university and its students. The highlight and focus of the day was a long conversation with Antonia Swinson (Chief Executive Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition) where the delegates really engaged with the concept of Social Enterprise and how it could be applied to create rapid positive social change in China. The day ended with a trip to the Scottish Parliment where the delegates had a tour and heared from Tom McCabe (Chair of Cross party Group on China).

The final day at Edinburgh Zoo ended with an outstanding positive result. After a talk and reception from David Windmill (Chief Executive of the Royal Zoological Society), Guo Xiangyu (Deputy Secretary-General of the All-China Youth Federation and leader of the delegation) pledged to write a letter to recommend and support the Panda breeding programme to the Head of the Chinese Forestry Commission. He was ‘very impressed with the beauty and high standards of Edinburgh Zoo/ and how happy the animals conditions were’.

This groundbreaking programme was put together in a collaberation between the British Council and Scottish Young Icebreakers to make the most of the final stage of the UK/China 400 Scheme.

Short Film:Highlights from the One Young World summit 2010

For a week in early February, Adam Purvis who is leading the Young Icebreakers in Scotland attended the inaugural One Young World Summit in London as one of 13 UK Ambassadors. This was made possible by generous contributions from Lord Smith and Edinburgh Napier University.

Short Film:Highlights from the One Young World summit 2010

One Young World is the premier global forum for young people of leadership calibre. It manifests the reality of common humanity and the shared existence of all the peoples in one world. Its purpose is to connect and bring together the youngest, brightest and best and to ensure that their concerns, opinions and solutions are heard and taken into account by those in power, whether in government, business or any other sector.

To be a One Young World Delegate is a special and singular honour for young leaders. Delegates attend the annual summit and represent their country on the world stage.

The Inaugural Summit was held in London on February 8 to 10, 2010 and drew 823 young leaders from 112 countries including over 50 delegates from China. Councillors included no less than 3 noble peace price laureates, Kofi Annan, Desmond TuTu and Muhamad Yunus.

One Young World Main Highlights

The summit focused on 6 key Resolutions developed in response to the most pressing issues in the world today, as identified as by the One Young WorldGlobal Consultation Process, a poll of over 15,000 respondents aged 18-27 years old from 34 countries in every continent on the planet.

The Resolutions were the focus of the Summit’s plenary sessions whereCounsellors such as Kofi Annan, Bob Geldof, Muhammad Yunus and Desmond Tutu facilitated debate and dialogue between the Delegate speakers and their audience. At the end of each session, the Delegates voted on the Resolutions and an online audience vote was also taken:

With the Resolutions passed, the important work for which the Delegate Ambassadors of the Inaugural Summit are now responsible is as follows:

• To publicise the One Young World Resolutions within their communities and beyond
• To define the concrete steps they are taking, both individually and collectively to show the way to deliver on the Resolutions
• To seek out and identify Delegates from their countries for One Young World 2011
• To promulgate the One Young World Values they themselves have determined.

One Young World is currently developing a new web platform and tools where their efforts will be showcased. The new and improved One Young World website launches at the end of April 2010.

On the 17th of September the 48 Group in Scotland held a reception in honour of Mme Tan (Consul General of the PR of China in Edinburgh) and the 60th anniversary of the formation of the peoples republic of China.

Representatives of the public and private sectors in Scotland attended to [...]]]>

On the 17th of September the 48 Group in Scotland held a reception in honour of Mme Tan (Consul General of the PR of China in Edinburgh) and the 60th anniversary of the formation of the peoples republic of China.

Representatives of the public and private sectors in Scotland attended to celebrate the anniversary and to pay tribute to the work carried out by Mme Tan in Scotland.

The event was kindly sponsored by Edinburgh Napier University

List of attendees

Jack Perry, the founder of the 48 Group Club, led [...]]]> Veteran of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Bo Yibo and Jack Perry, greet each other in Beijing.

Jack Perry, the founder of the 48 Group Club, led first western delegation to China that broke through the trade embargo in 1953. The group made up of 48 leaders in business and politics from the UK have became iconic in China.