Our OD Young Person of the Month is Jiayuan Tian from China. Jiayuan Tian is the director of Global Citizen Year Chinese Media Center, Co-founder of OneXplore, double major undergraduate of Minerva University(No.1 Most Innovative University In the World), 2023 AACYF Top 30 Under 30, Peking University Guanghua School of Management alumnus, Watson Institute full scholarship scholar, World Economic Forum Global Shaper, G20 YEA Elite, Boao Asia Youth Elite, Boston Future New Power Center Partner, Selected for the “China’s Top 100 Most Insightful Young People”
Read his amazing story below and be inspired.
JIAYUAN TIAN
Jiayuan Tian, a distinguished alumnus of the Global Citizen Year Academy (Spring 2022). His journey at the Academy crystallized his purpose: to encourage young people to explore life beyond conventional boundaries. As the founding director of the Global Citizen Year Chinese Media Center (GCYCMC) and a leader of a team exceeding 50 volunteers, Jiayuan has been instrumental in transforming the GCYCMC into a leading youth organization within the global Chinese community. Under his guidance, the center has published hundreds of impactful youth stories, introduced thousands of development opportunities, and reached over 100,000 Chinese youths, inspiring them to engage with the world in meaningful ways.
On How He Started
Jiayuan’s spark was ignited when he started leveraging my own experiences and networks to create platforms and opportunities for young people. His time at the Global Citizen Year Academy inspired him to take action and make a difference in the lives of others. He saw the transformative power of international experiences and wanted to ensure that all young people, especially within the Chinese community, had access to similar opportunities for growth and development. Stepping outside his comfort zone, he discovered the beauty of diverse perspectives and the challenges of cultural misunderstandings. Witnessing the power of connection and empathy across borders, he vowed to bridge that gap, returning home with a newfound purpose to empower young people like himself to become informed and engaged global citizens. He has served in numerous various roles that are equally noteworthy. He served as an APEC Asian Media Representative and co-founded/co-chaired the 2023 Youth Action China Forum. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish the first gap year youth forum in China and founded Youth π, further demonstrating his commitment to youth development.
On His Successes
Jiayuan’s expertise and insights have graced multiple prestigious forums and summits. He has delivered speeches at events such as the Global Elite Youth · Future Elite Summit, the Lead As A Global Citizen World Series, The First Easy Path International Youth Leadership Exhibition, ELS Mentor Seminar, Shanghai Penta Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute Elite Lecture, and the May Fourth Youth Day Sustainable Career Fair. His academic and professional accolades are equally impressive. Jiayuan is a double-major undergraduate at Minerva University, an alumnus of Peking University’s Guanghua School of Management, and a full scholarship scholar at the Watson Institute. His recognition as a 2023 AACYF (All America Chinese Youth Federation) Top 30 Under 30 honoree underscores his influence and impact. Additionally, he is a World Economic Forum Global Shaper, G20 YEA Elite, Boao Asia Youth Elite, and a partner at Boston’s Future New Power Center. His inclusion in “China’s Top 100 Most Insightful Young People” list highlights his remarkable insights and contributions. Through the GCYCMC, Jiayuan has reached over 100,000 Chinese youths, inspiring them to engage with the world and pursue their passions. OneXplore has provided quality international educational resources and cross-cultural exchange opportunities to countless youth, making exploring the world a reality for many who may not have had such opportunities otherwise.
On His Challenges and Future Plans
Jiayuan recognizes the challenge of inspiring a large and diverse youth community like China’s. However, his unwavering dedication and clear vision position him to be a beacon for young global citizens. He aspires to champion the cause of global citizenship and youth empowerment, advocating for opportunities and fostering a sense of interconnectedness among the youth. Moving forward, Jiayuan aims to further expand the reach and impact of both the Global Citizen Year Chinese Media Center and OneXplore. He plans to collaborate with more organizations and institutions to provide even more opportunities for youth to engage globally. Additionally, he wants to continue advocating for global citizenship education on a larger scale, both within China and internationally.
One of the main obstacles Jiayuan has faced is resistance to change and traditional mindsets, especially when it comes to the concept of gap years and global citizenship education. To overcome this, he has focused on education and advocacy, sharing success stories and demonstrating the value of these experiences. Additionally, building strong partnerships and networks has been crucial in overcoming obstacles and gaining support for his initiatives.
His Words of Advice For The Youth
My advice to young people is to follow your passions and never underestimate the power of your own voice and actions. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and challenge the status quo. Surround yourself with a supportive community and be persistent in pursuing your goals. Most importantly, always stay true to your values and the impact you want to make in the world.
You can connect with Jiayuan on LinkedIn.
Who will be the next OD Young Person of the Month?
You can be the next Opportunity Desk Young Person of the Month! All you have to do is get a friend to recommend your work or fill out the nomination form here. We want to use the platform to recognize and celebrate the efforts of amazing young people around the world. Oh! And you must be an active Opportunity Desk member, either as a fan, reader, or subscriber! Share!
