The 14th Hitachi Young Leaders Initiative (HYLI) was held at Yangon, Myanmar from July 10th – 13th, 2017. High level country selection panels chose thirty-two top student delegates to represent their countries at the programme. The students were divided into four groups, each represented by at least one country representative. The students attended a series of plenary sessions, workshops, discussions and activities culminating with group presentations on their proposed initiatives for the sustainable urban development of Yangon City.
Download the HYLI 2017 Whitepaper
Under the theme "Sustainable Urbanization through Collaborative Creation," the 14th edition of HYLI was designed to broaden the student delegates' perspective on how collaborative creation contributes to further development of sustainable urbanization. The event was designed based on a learning agenda to help the student delegates walk through key urbanisation issues in the region, eventually inspiring them to contribute to possible solutions. The learning agenda was composed of three pillars:
These pillars served as guides for student delegates to build their knowledge on the issues, interact with leaders and experts and develop solutions for sustainable urbanisation. The programme culminated in final presentations by the delegates, each addressing different aspects of the foundation for achieving sustainable urbanisation:
Pre-HYLI | Awareness & Appreciation
The pre-HYLI work began with the Awareness and Appreciation pillar, preparing student delegates for HYLI week. Delegates were tasked with writing essays on the central theme, supported by infographics to illustrate their ideas. The essays required them to recommend global best practices in smart cities, transportation, and environmental sustainability suitable for Yangon. They also created infographics showcasing their country's urbanization experience, highlighting both positive benefits and negative impacts. These infographics broadened their perspectives, providing a solid basis for discussions with fellow delegates, speakers, and guests at the 14th HYLI event.
Day 1 to 3 | Engagement & Reflection | 10 - 12 July 2017
The Engagement and Reflection pillar included a Yangon city tour, giving student delegates a chance to appreciate its history and heritage. The 14th HYLI event featured plenary sessions and exclusive interviews with leaders and experts from Myanmar and the region. The programme also included a visit to the Yangon City Hall, where the mayor and his team shared insights on urban development. The student delegates then visited the UN Habitat office, where representatives discussed programmes supporting Myanmar's sustainable urban development.
The city's tour, plenary sessions, interviews, and visits helped student delegates develop their own proposals for Yangon's sustainable urbanisation. On the final day, they presented their ideas to an advisory panel, which provided feedback and encouragement for Asia's future leaders.
Day 4 | Commitment & Celebration | 13 July 2017
Commitment and Celebration followed the student presentations, where delegates affirmed the new knowledge gained from HYLI. They also showcased cultural performances representing their countries, as part of the programme's cross-cultural sharing goal. The event concluded with a special dinner to celebrate the occasion.
