To celebrate the International Day of Youth on 12 August and to mark the start of the International Year of Youth, the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) in Vienna invited young people aged 26 and under to visit the Vienna International Centre (VIC) and take a free guided tour and learn about the work of the United Nations in Vienna. Around 500 youth took the guided tours which included visiting information tables and stands set up by VIC-based organizations and the City of Vienna's Youth Department.
As 2010 was also declared as the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures, the Open Day at the VIC also included the opening of the art project "One Family", an initiative of the Confucius Institute at the University of Vienna, The UNESCO Club Vienna and artist Yusheng Zhao. The exhibit will be on display at the VIC from 12 to 20 August 2010.
In his introductory remarks at the opening of the "One Family" exhibit, Director of UNIS Maher Nasser highlighted that when UN Member States decided on designating this as the International Year of the Youth, they did so in recognition of the fact that young people in all countries are a major human resource for development, positive social change and technological innovation. The ideals, energy and vision of the youth are essential for the continuing development of their societies. "Young people are not merely passive beneficiaries but effective agents of change", added Maher Nasser. In line with theme for the Year, "Dialogue and Mutual Understanding", the paintings by children from Vienna, both of Chinese descent and of local communities, depict the children's concept of their family and cultural identity. Chinese Ambassador H.E. Xiaodi Hu, who participated in the opening of the exhibit, appreciated the fact that Chinese children living abroad in the third generation still cherished traditional Chinese family values: "Close family relations are part of Chinese culture, and children are the future of the family". Professor Richard Trappl, Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Vienna, explained that the project will expand to include the contribution of children living on five continents. As is the case with the painting on display today, the children in the other continents will visualize their ideas in colour. "We have to inspire children to create a more peaceful world. They have their dreams, we have to support them to be able to realize those dreams. With the project, we offer children around the world the opportunity to put their colourful imagination on canvas".
Noting that a painting by artist Yusheng Zhao which accompanied "One Family" depicted the Chinese character "Jia" (family), UNIS Director highlighted a recent initiative by the Untied Nations Department of Public Information (DPI) to celebrate and promote multilingualism and cultural diversity through Language Days at the United Nations. The initiative which was launched last February by Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information and Coordinator for Multilingualism Kiyo Akasaka had designated 20 April as the Chinese Language Day.
The event was concluded with a beautiful piece of Chinese music performed by Ms. Pei Ju Tsai on the pipa, a traditional Chinese string instrument.
