30th October 2023 | Songyang, China
Visit to the Window of Songyang
OPENING CEREMONY
Over 180 participants from 17 countries and 18 international organizations gathered in Songyang County, China, for the opening ceremony of the forum on urban-rural connectivity.
The forum, inspired by the theme of “enhancing urban-rural connectivity for better livelihoods,” brought together experts and stakeholders to discuss the importance of urban-rural linkages and share their experiences and perspectives on how to enhance them.
In their opening remarks, speakers from the UN-Habitat and Songyang County emphasized the urgency of addressing the socio-economic disparities between urban and rural areas, and the importance of tailored and context-specific approaches to enhancing urban-rural connectivity.
The forum also highlighted the potential for collaboration and knowledge sharing to advance urban-rural connectivity globally. Participants expressed their eagerness to learn from each other and to explore new ways to improve livelihoods for all
Specific topics discussed at the opening ceremony included:
- The importance of urban-rural linkages for sustainable development
- Challenges and opportunities for enhancing urban-rural connectivity in different contexts
- Case studies of successful initiatives to enhance urban-rural connectivity
- The role of technology and innovation in promoting urban-rural connectivity
The opening ceremony set the stage for a productive and informative forum, with participants eager to learn from each other and to explore new ways to enhance urban-rural connectivity and improve livelihoods for all.
keynote speeches
Antonella Contin (Politecnico di Milano)
- Presented an adaptive and inventive model for bridging rural and urban areas.
- Emphasized regenerative agriculture, green and digital diplomacy, and strategic partnerships.
Li Qin (Baidu Institute for Intelligent Transportation)
- Highlighted Baidu’s efforts to narrow the technological gap between urban and rural areas.
- Proposed integrating artificial intelligence and cloud computing to support rural development.
site visits
1. Youth
Participants in later toured the Songyang Xiangrui e-commerce Industrial Park, where they learned how the park is supporting young entrepreneurs to earn livelihoods in rural areas. The park provides free training on digital skills to help young people advertise and sell agricultural products on social media.
Participants also visited the Dalutan Post, a national touristic scenic area along the Songyin River.
After the site visits, participants gathered to discuss the role of youth in bridging the urban-rural divide. Speakers highlighted the importance of festivals, digital products, creative culture products, technology, connectivity, e-commerce, and advanced digital skills in attracting and retaining young people in rural areas. They also emphasized the need to make rural areas more attractive to young people by designing them to be places of hope, developing industries, enhancing culture, and improving infrastructure.
2. Resource Distribution
A second group of forum participants visited Shanxiayang Village, a National Traditional Village in Songyang County. The village is known for its ancient buildings and geomantic omen.
Participants discussed how the various resources in urban and rural spaces can be harnessed for equitable development and mutual benefit.
Speakers highlighted the importance of improving farmers’ livelihoods, developing rural industries, and attracting young people to rural areas. They also emphasized the need for equal access to healthy diets and open spaces, as well as the importance of reusing waste products, digital innovation, and adaptive governance.
One speaker argued that legal considerations are essential for successful urban-rural reconstruction. Another speaker shared their experiences from Rions, France, where they have worked to promote social diversity, expand associations, and implement participatory decision-making.
