语通中外，思辨未来：“21世纪杯”江苏地区展示活动于南通惠立圆满落幕

2026-05-16

Young Voices Take Centre Stage

at the 21st Century Cup

On 16 May 2026, Hiba Academy Nantong hosted the 21st Century Cup Global Youth Cultural Exchange Conference and English Speech Event. Guided by China Daily and co-organised by 21st Century and the UNESCO International Centre for UNESCO ASPnet, the event brought together over 400 pupils from seven cities across Jiangsu Province, including Nantong, Suzhou, Wuxi and Xuzhou. More than a language competition, this was a platform for intellectual exchange and cross-cultural critical thinking.

Local Stories,

Global Resonance

The event moved beyond rote memorisation, encouraging participants to explore themes ranging from personal experience to global trends. Younger pupils shared local stories in English about culinary heritage and community traditions. Older pupils tackled complex contemporary issues: social alienation in the digital age, AI's impact on tourism and the preservation of cultural heritage in virtual spaces.

This range of topics demanded more than fluency. During impromptu Q&A sessions, contestants needed the logical agility to dismantle complex questions under pressure. As pupils debated how technology might revitalise tradition, English became a medium for original thought, not merely a communication tool.

The judging panel comprised senior and distinguished primary and secondary school teachers, English subject leaders, and university experts from Jiangsu province, alongside international judges. Melissa Meikle (Head of Primary), Shane Maher, and Penny Chen—esteemed educators from Hiba Academy Nantong—were also invited to evaluate the event, bringing their professional insights to celebrate the pupils' intellectual brilliance.

Meanwhile, a campus tour offered parents an immersive exploration. From rigorous academic classrooms to engaging interactive stations, every detail reflected the school's commitment to educational excellence. Visitors captured inspiring moments of intellectual exchange and gained a profound appreciation for the campus's unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures.

Building Bridges

Through Language

As host, Hiba Academy Nantong is dedicated to fostering an authentic bilingual learning community. Within the Hiba educational philosophy, language acts as a bridge to the world, built upon mutual understanding and respect for diversity.

Today is, of course, about English—but it is also about connection. At Hiba, we believe language is not simply a subject; it is a tool for global dialogue and critical thinking. It helps students understand different perspectives, express their ideas with clarity, and build the confidence to communicate beyond their own community. And I hope every pupil here today will see themselves as a cultural ambassador. With your language skills, you can share China’s stories with the world—through your own experiences, your own values, and your own voice.

-Simon Kenworthy

Master

Leveraging Wellington College Education’s global network, Hiba Academy Nantong hosts events like this so pupils will look beyond the classroom. Intellectual discourse with peers expands their boundaries of expression and develops the cultural confidence and cross-cultural competence they need to share a global future.

Next Stop: Global Stage

Evaluations are now underway, with the shortlist to be announced after two weeks. Exceptional pupils from Hiba Academy Nantong and across the province will be invited to Hong Kong and Macao this August for the Global Youth Cultural Exchange Conference.

These young ambassadors will take what they've learned at Hiba—critical thinking paired with cultural confidence—and share China stories on a global stage.