What a year it has been for YCW! Thanks to the participation and engagement of our members, YCW has grown as an organization and, more importantly, as a community through our chapters in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, London and New York.
Our goal has always been to bring together the next generation of China watchers – to build a global network of people that will be integral to China’s new relationship with the world. We’re well on our way with our successes from 2014, and are excited for what 2015 holds for the organization.
Over 50 YCW events and an expanding membership base in 2014
Building a community around our Speaker Series and Dinner Discussions has been central to our mission. This year, YCW chapters hosted close to 50 speakers including Feng Shaolei, Rana Mitter, Louisa Lim, Kerry Brown and Evan Osnos. Our annual Peterson Institute-YCW Dinner in Beijing brought together 10 senior fellows with 20 YCWers for an evening of discussion and good food in May 2014. YCW’s membership base has grown and we’re also seeing increasing engagement from our YCW members.
YCW launched in New York; evolving chapter and global leadership
We launched YCW New York in November 2014, our fifth global chapter, led by the dynamic team of Jo Ling Kent, Vicky Lai and Thilo Hanemann. The event was inaugurated by Stephanie Kleine-Ahlbrandt, former Director of Asia-Pacific Programs at the United States Institute for Peace, who also sits on YCW’s Board of Advisors.
Joining our ever capable chapter leadership in each city, we welcomed Jens Schott Knudsen and Julia Voo in YCW Beijing, and Dominic Meagher in YCW Hong Kong. Preparations are underway for our upcoming YCW San Francisco chapter, to be launched by Frederick Tsai.Sue Anne Tay joined us as Global Director, working with YCW co-founders Raffaello Pantucci and Alistair Thornton to drive our expanding global operations.
Launch of YCW’s new website and blog; introducing the Global Editorial Team
You would have seen our new and improved website, along with a blog that serves as a platform to better interact with the YCW community. Managed by our Global Editorial team comprised of Phoebe Young, Zoe Grueskin and Oliver Chase, we conduct interviews with YCW’s speakers, feature YCW members who have impressed us with their work in the field and introduce a monthly debate by leading experts on key issues dominating the news. We always welcome ideas for the blog and interested contributors, feel free to contact us.
2015: New chapters, new speakers and more!
YCW’s global footprint will grow bigger in 2015 with the launch of YCW San Francisco in late January 2015. We’re also communicating with prospective teams in other cities and will keep you updated.Our schedule for early 2015 is already packed with interesting speakers on a range of key China-policy issues. We’re looking forward to fostering deeper dialogue, and that our members will make new connections and build networks within the wider YCW community.
Again, thank you for your support. We wish you a very successful and healthy new year!
Best,
Young China Watchers team
