From May 10 to 12, the Symposium on "Cities and Youth Development" and the International Conference on "Digital Society and Youth Development" were successfully held at Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences (SASS). The event was co-hosted by the Institute of Sociology, SASS and the Shanghai Youth & Children Research Center, supported by the Shanghai Youth & Children Research Association, and co-organized by the Development Research Centre of the China Welfare Institute.
Focusing on the dual themes of Cities and Youth Development, and Youth in the Digital Age, the symposium brought together over 200 experts, scholars, and practitioners from China, Malaysia, Japan, Thailand, and other Asian countries. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on cutting-edge topics concerning the integrated development of cities, youth, and digital society in the context of new globalization.
Experts examined the underlying dynamics between cities and youth, offering diverse theoretical perspectives on their interdependent relationship. They emphasized that urban and digital society studies form a critical framework for youth research in this era, opening new multidimensional approaches. They highlighted the importance of openness and interdisciplinarity in youth research, where cross-disciplinary integration fosters knowledge innovation. They also stressed the value of cooperation and co-creation in building new-generation think tanks, and expressed a shared commitment to advancing youth development through dialogue with society.
Two thematic forums were held during the symposiumwere "Youth Development and the Urban Future" and "Career Development and Urban Space". Discussions covered a wide range of topics, including China’s "Double Reduction" policy, intergenerational social mobility among urbanizing university students, emerging trends among urban youth amid Chinese modernization, pathways for building youth-friendly cities, the role of "new farmers" in rural revitalization, and symbolic consumption in urban spaces as reflected in the skateboarding subculture.
Experts also addressed challenges faced by youth in the digital era—such as mental and physical health dilemmas, cultural identity formation under the influence of social media, value shifts, and the rise of phenomena like the "N-po generation" and "lying flat" culture. They explored how digitalization reshapes young people's views on reproduction and the future.
In the education-focused sessions, Chinese and international scholars shared insights on early childhood attention development in the digital era, preschool education in the age of AI, the impact of technology on school culture, the evolution of young people's social-emotional development, and children's socialization in AI-driven environments.
