Keynote Speaker

Tudor S. Ratiu
Dr. Tudor S. Ratiu, an eminent mathematician, holds the prestigious position of Chair Professor of Mathematics at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and is Emeritus Chair Professor at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). He earned his Ph.D. in pure mathematics from UC Berkeley in 1980 after completing an M.A. and B.Sc. in mathematics at the University of Timișoara, Romania.
Dr. Ratiu's career spans over four decades, including key roles as Deputy Director at the Center of Mathematical Sciences at the Skolkovo Institute and Director of the Bernoulli Center at EPFL. He has served in leadership positions at numerous institutions and has held visiting professorships across 14 countries.
Throughout his career, Dr. Ratiu has received multiple awards, including the Chinese Government Friendship Award (2021), the Magnolia Award from Shanghai (2018), and the Tullio Levi-Civita Prize (2016). His influence is marked by his election to Academia Europaea (2019) and his fellowship with the American Mathematical Society (2012).
Dr. Ratiu's contributions to academia include supervising 14 Ph.D. students and 36 postdoctoral researchers, as well as serving on 52 doctoral and habilitation committees. He has edited six volumes, held editorial positions with 16 journals, and organized 40 international conferences. His publications encompass 248 scientific papers and seven books, with over 400 invited talks.
Dr. Ratiu's commitment to international collaboration is evidenced by grants from the NSF, DOE, ONR, and international funding bodies across Europe, Brazil, and China. An advocate for interdisciplinary research, he co-founded the Bernoulli Institute at EPFL and continues to serve on various international academic boards.

Rut Gomez Sobrino
Prof. Rut Gomez Sobrino. A former reporter based in the Middle East, Rut shifted into international development in the mid-2000s. Since then, she has lived and worked in over 30 nations (MENA region, Africa, Latin America and Asia) under UN agencies like UNESCO, UNDP, UN Women, UNCDF and UNWTO. She currently operates as Campaign Director at the EU Delegation to Sudan. The application of technology to global development has been a core focus in her career. Together with this, youth empowerment, gender equality, electoral processes, climate and sustainable development and human rights or indigenous communities have been some of the themes she addressed in the last two decades. On the academic front, she has served at entities like Malmö University, Georgetown University and Shanghai International Studies University, where she lectured on C4D, Public Diplomacy, UN and International Organizations between 2021 and 2024. Besides a MA in International Relations (Istanbul Bilgi University), Rut also completed a Diploma in Development Management and a PG Certificate in Poverty Reduction at the University of London. She has a DEA in Economic Policy (2015) and she is preparing the dissertation of her PhD thesis on the Information Society before the end of 2024.

Moderator & Youth Session Speaker

Matteo Angotti
Matteo Angotti is an 11th-grade student at ISA Wuhan with a deep passion for behavioral science and a drive for innovative research. Since 6th grade, he has nurtured a keen interest in psychology, culminating in his recent achievements. In 2022, he earned second place at the High School Science & Engineering Fair for his study on the reliability of witness testimony. The following year, he won first place with his cross-cultural research examining procrastination trends among Chinese nationals and foreigners living in China, conducted in collaboration with Jianghan University's Department of Behavioral Sciences. Recently, he also received a "Very High Commendation" in the Psychology category of the prestigious John Locke Global Essay Competition for an insightful essay addressing youth mental health challenges.
Beyond academics, Matteo is a creative writer and avid RPG enthusiast. He has written original campaigns inspired by Dungeons & Dragons, even creating a personalized Player’s Handbook as part of a personal project. He also received a NaNoWriMo "Writer" certificate for his story The Legend of Conquest and authored a short storybook for first graders at ISA Wuhan.
Committed to environmental sustainability, Matteo participated in the IB Youth Ambassador Program, presenting two projects promoting plant-based diets and sustainable hygiene products. His dedication to biodiversity protection was highlighted at ICG-18, where he moderated the Youth Session and delivered a keynote speech, "How Psychology Can Save Biodiversity."
A talented drummer and event host, Matteo frequently performs at school events and recently at UNESCO’s 2024 World Heritage Youth Education - Crossover Carnival. His diverse achievements and active involvement in service, creativity, and environmental advocacy make him an inspiring young leader and scholar.

Youth Session Speakers

Qi Min Yu (Connie)
Qi Min Yu (Connie) is a visual communication design student at JiangHan University with a deep passion for literature and biodiversity conservation. An avid reader, she continually expands her knowledge, broadens her perspective, and hones her critical and creative skills. Beyond her studies, Connie dedicates her time to supporting rescue shelters for stray animals. Her background in design has also sparked an interest in the development of artificial intelligence, particularly its evolving legal implications.


Albert Bondoc
Albert Bondoc is a talented 6th-grade student at Olga Gudynn International School (OGIS), known for his passion for both technology and sports. Alongside his academic achievements, Albert is an avid fan of Minecraft, where he uses his creativity to build and explore virtual worlds under the username @AlbertPlayzYT. This game helps him develop logical thinking and planning skills, while also connecting him with a community of friends who share his interests.
Albert is also deeply passionate about basketball, a sport he practices regularly. He dedicates his free time to improving his skills on the court, showing great discipline and determination. Balancing his studies, love for Minecraft, and commitment to basketball, Albert Bondoc is a young individual with a bright and promising future.
Report Title: Discover Nature's Playground at Valenii de Munte Outdoor Activity Centre


Eduard Bondoc
Eduard Bondoc is a 12th-grade student at Olga Gudynn Bilingual High School, following a rigorous academic curriculum (IB) that includes Mathematics AI, Physics, English, Economics, Romanian, Theory of Knowledge (T.O.K.), and Computer Science HL. Eduard stands out for his analytical and logical skills, showcased in national and international competitions such as the National Olympiads for English, Geography, and "Reading as a Life Skill," as well as the "Kangaroo" Math contest.
Actively involved in extracurricular projects, Eduard participated in the OGIS Science Fair and the Plastic Recycling Program, along with humanitarian and environmental activities such as the "Plant for the Planet" campaign. He has also demonstrated leadership skills by organizing school events and supporting his peers. Eduard's dedication to education, environmental sustainability, and community engagement reflects a committed young man with a promising future.
Report Title: Climate change is an urgent global challenge


Gu Zhenxuan
Gu Zhenxuan is a 11th-grade student at Beijing New Oriental Foreign Language School at Yangzhou. He focuses on the American high school curriculum, which includes AP Calculus, AP Physics, AP Microeconomics, AP Statistics, and AP Macroeconomics. So far, he has passed three AP exams with excellent scores of 4 to 5 and received a prize in the Australian Kangaroo Mathematics Competition. Gu Zhenxuan has a strong interest in technology and is skilled at assembling and repairing computers. He is also passionate about sports, particularly football and badminton, and enjoys staying active through exercise. Additionally, music plays a significant role in his life; he often immerses himself in the world of music to relax and relieve stress. Gu Zhenxuan believes in approaching both study and life with a calm mindset to face every challenge.His motto is, "If you think of it, you should do it!" He hopes to continue working hard to achieve his goals in the future.
Report Title: The realization mode and application prospect of AI-driven low-carbon economy


Yichun Hao
Yichun Hao is a third-grade primary student at the Wuhan Foreign Languages School, embodying a profound passion for science, art, and sports, thereby exemplifying outstanding qualities of holistic development. In the 2023 "Little Diplomat" competition, she won second prize and has garnered excellent achievements in various painting contests. Her talents extend to playing the violin, painting, and badminton.
Eager to broaden her international perspective, Yichun once avidly honed her oral English skills at an international school in Thailand. With a compassionate heart, she eagerly participates in the public welfare activities organized by her school. Whether it's environmental conservation efforts or charitable endeavors, her energetic and diligent presence is always noticeable. Through her practical actions, she embodies a sense of social responsibility, proving herself to be a caring and responsible young girl.


Zhangshuo Wen
Zhangshuo Wen is a 5th-student at Wuhan Maiyuan Primary School. She has a strong research interest in ecological environment, science and technology, and has read a large number of books and conducted numerous observation experiments in these fields. One of her technological innovations has even garnered government awards. Her educational sojourns in Australia and Thailand have honed her excellent English communication skills. Furthermore, her diverse hobbies encompass painting, playing the piano, dancing, and swimming, all of which she excels at. Zhangshuo is poised to persist in her academic pursuits, delving deeper into research, and is evolving into an outstanding young girl in the future.


Sam Yu
Sam Yu is an enthusiastic and energetic eight-year-old in Grade 3 at San Jiao Hu Primary School. A devoted sports lover, Sam has been playing tennis since he was four and later took up football in Grade 1. Alongside his athletic pursuits, Sam has a strong love for animals and nature. He cherished spending time with Sha Sha, an elderly Samoyed from his neighborhood, regularly playing with and walking her until her passing at age 14. Sam also enjoys working on farms, where he not only plants and harvests but is eager to learn sustainable farming techniques to care for the land responsibly.


Queena Huang
Queena is a motivated and curious high school student with a deep passion for global issues, sustainability, and community engagement. Throughout her academic journey, she has actively sought opportunities to broaden her understanding of social and environmental challenges. Queena has also participated in several biochemistry-related experiments, developing strong research skills and a scientific mindset, which allow her to approach problems from multiple perspectives and collaborate effectively to find impactful solutions.
Outside the classroom, Queena volunteers with local initiatives focused on youth empowerment and environmental awareness. These experiences have strengthened her commitment to positive social change and taught her the importance of leadership, empathy, and active listening.
Queena is excited about the opportunity to attend the Youth Session, where she hopes to connect with like-minded peers, share ideas, and learn from experts in the field. She looks forward to applying the insights and skills gained at this event to make a meaningful impact in her community and beyond. 
Report Title: Ecological Sustainability


Yixiang Jiang
I am Lester, an IBDP student from grade 11. I’ve always been curious about computer-related things, so I’ve always paid close attention to the development of cutting-edge technologies. One of the most representative ones at present is artificial intelligence. Many articles and videos are showing how powerful AI is today, and it is sure to continue to grow as a new trend. Wuhan is a city with relatively developed technology, and I have come into contact with a lot of artificial intelligence in my life. However, in my experiences and observations, although most of them have helped me in my life, I have also found that there are still some unresolved problems with these devices. Some of these problems are technical, while others pose social and moral problems. I hope to contribute my insights at the CSSS Youth Conference and learn from other young people and leading experts in the field. 
Report Title: Artificial Intelligence from an ethical perspective


Xitong Zhou
I am currently a grade 11 student at ISA Wenhuan Wuhan high School. I have a strong interest in technology, especially artificial intelligence. The first AI product I used was ChatGPT, which sparked my curiosity and excitement for the field. Not only did I learn how to use ChatGPT to help me write a novel, but I also took the time to understand how ChatGPT works. In particular, I have been researching NLP, or Natural Language Processing, which is a core area of AI focused on understanding and generating human language. As I grew older, I realized how valuable AI tools can be in our studies. They’re helpful for summarizing long papers, providing explanations for unfamiliar vocabulary, and even offering insights into complex topics. My goal is to deepen my understanding of AI and one day contribute to advancements in this fascinating field. 


Zhang Zaoyi
I'm Zhang Zaoyi from ISA Wuhan. I'm passionate about reading and have excellent academic performance. My studying - abroad experience in America has greatly shaped my innovative mean of critical - thinking. In the future, I will overcome setbacks and fear while progressing with classmates. 


Calvert Erwin
I am Calvert Erwin I am an IBMYP student from grade 10. I am very interested in the subject of AI, seen its great improvement throughout the years, the large effect it could have on learning, healthcare and transportation. I have also seen certain improvements it has had on my own life, but I have always questioned what it could possibly do ethically like if it were to oversee someone’s life or have control over one’s information. I have been to events like the MUN and a Ted talk selection and have seen a great many brilliant and interesting ideas and have also had the great joy of giving some of my own. I hope I can contribute as much in the CSSS Youth Conference as much as I have before. 


Terance Lin
I’m Terance from grade 9 international. While technology has been an interest of mine for quite a while, debatable things like ethics has too. Last school year, I thoroughly enjoyed debating in Shenzhen for The World Scholar’s Cup and making arguments for whether this or that is ethical. As time passes, AI grows more well known and accessible. It’s inevitable that it will be discussed over and over. Like whether it’s ethical for AI to replace human jobs, who would be responsible for those who become jobless because of AI, the limits on how AI should be used, etc. I’ve gathered much knowledge on the topic of AI and it’s ethical use in the world through such debates, taking a look at both sides of the coin in this issue, and would like to give my two cents on AI and the ethics surrounding it at the CSS Youth Conference and also see what others think on the subject.
Report Title: Is it ethical for AI to take over jobs