From June 5 to 7, the 5th Asian Young Geographers Workshop was hosted at the Shipai Campus of South China Normal University (SCNU). Under the theme of “Innovating Asia, Reshaping the World,” the workshop brought together more than 400 experts, scholars, and young geographers from more than 20 countries and regions.
A group photo of all the participants.
The opening ceremony was held at the International Conference Hall on Shipai Campus of South China Normal University (SCNU) on the morning of June 6, and chaired by Liu Yungang, dean of the SCNU School of Geography.
Speeches were delivered by Wang Hengyin, secretary of the CPC Committee of SCNU; Suresh Chand Rai, vice president of the Asian Geographical Association; Nathalie Lemarchand, president of the International Geographical Union (IGU); Chen Fahu, executive president of the Geographical Society of China; and Chen Min, chair of the Asian Geographical Association's Young Geographers Working Group.
Wang Hengyi gives a welcome address.
Chen Fahu hosts the seminar.
Chen Fahu noted that since its launch in 2021, the seminar had become an important platform for academic exchange, intellectual dialogue, and cooperation among young geographers. He encouraged young scholars to broaden their international perspectives, deepen collaboration, and contribute geographical insights to advancing sustainable development in Asia and beyond.
The seminar featured nine keynote speeches. On June 6, keynote speeches were delivered by Professor Chen Fahu; Professor Nathalie Lemarchand; Professor Li Xin of the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences; and Professor Chris Gibson of the University of Sydney. On June 7, the remaining keynote speeches were given by Professor Liu Yungang of South China Normal University (SCNU); Professor Michael Meadows of Nanjing University; Professor James Sidaway of the National University of Singapore; Professor SooJin Park of Seoul National University; and Professor Prem Sagar Chapagain of Tribhuvan University, Nepal. Additionally, Professor Pannee Cheewinsiriwat of Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, introduced the Seventh Asian Conference on Geography.
The seminar included 22 parallel sessions covering a wide range of topics: the Belt and Road Initiative and regional cooperation, urban renewal, population migration, territorial spatial planning, ecosystem services, climate change, coastal ecological security, energy geography, smart cities, and geography education.
On the afternoon of June 7, an Outstanding Paper Award Ceremony and a closing session were held. Nine outstanding papers were selected from more than 30 submissions. In his closing remarks, Professor Michael Meadows, former president of the International Geographical Union (IGU), encouraged young geographers to continue advancing geographical innovation in response to global change and the needs of social development.
The seminar provided a high-level academic exchange platform for young geographers from Asia and beyond, further strengthening SCNU’s academic collaboration and exchanges with the international geographical community, and enhancing the global influence of the discipline of geography at SCNU.
Source from the School of Geography
Translated by Luo Fengyi, Xie Shaochai
Proofread by Edwin Baak
Edited by Li Yiwei
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