On March 15, the 65th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women commenced at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The priority theme of this session was "women's full and effective participation and decision-making in public life, as well as the elimination of violence." Zhang Yinjun, Director of the China Economic and Social Council, Director of the China Youth AIDS Prevention and Education Project Office, Chairman of the Beijing Changier Education Foundation, and Dean of Confucius Nishan College, together with 41 representatives of the Changier Education Foundation, attended the session.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres

The official meetings emphasized the effective participation and decision-making role of women in public life and called for the full protection of women's rights in accordance with the law. The session also stressed the importance of the establishment of specific indicators to ensure women's equal representation, the promotion of women's participation in economic activities, and the protection of women from profiteering. Moreover, the conference elaborated on the empowerment of women and the realization of the 2030 sustainable development goals. In his speech at the session commencement, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the "challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic for women's equality and empowerment" and encouraged post-epidemic reconstruction "in a gender-responsive manner, in a greener manner and in an inclusive manner."

Chairman Zhang Yinjun delivering her speech online

Changier Chairman Zhang Yinjun delivered a speech for the session on behalf of the China Changier Education Foundation. In her speech, Zhang pointed out that the transformation of women's status will be the leading force in the transformation of human society. Women's equality and empowerment will effectively promote women's participation in social and public affairs, which in turn will accelerate the realization of the 2030 goal of sustainable human development. The speech further explained that as a foundation with a special consultative status of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, Beijing Changier Education Foundation and its founding philosophy are highly consistent with the theme of the UN's session. The efforts of the Changier Project over the years have been to unremittingly promote gender equality, from encouraging women's participation in economic and social life, helping women and children from less privileged families obtain basic means to survival and education through public welfare and charity, and assisting women and children with AIDS in maintaining human dignity and nourishment. Changier holds firm to the belief that it is through eliminating gender discrimination, liberating women's productivity, that we fight to achieve a leap to a better life.

Some of the representatives of Beijing Changier Education Foundation participating in the 65th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women

The 41 representatives of Changier joined from China, the United States, Canada, Singapore, and other countries and regions. In terms of gender composition, not only women but also men actively participated. Representatives share utterly different ages and backgrounds: among them are high school students, graduate students, and doctoral students; also, the representatives connected the founder of public interest groups, as well as business leaders and social managerial professionals. Although the participants are quite different in terms of gender, age, and background, the unbranching consensus is their active awareness of women's equality and determination to promote women's empowerment.

The session heard great speeches and personalities from these 41 representatives. As the first collective appearance at the session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, they have gained undivided attention.

United Nations Representative & Chief Administrative Officer for Changier Education Foundation Emma Chen- Banas

Affected by the COVID-19 epidemic, the 65th session conducted most of its meetings online, but the means and separation did not diminish anyone's enthusiasm towards gender concerns. United Nations Representative & Chief Administrative Officer for Changier Education Foundation Emma Chen- Banas particularly noted, "I have participated in the sessions over the years, but this year is of the most different. Although I missed the opportunity to interact with representatives from around the world personally, the virtual content is far richer and fuller in meaning. The meetings covered challenges and opportunities that were faced globally by women in aspects of political, economic, science and technology, health, and welfare. It encourages women of all ages to participate in public affairs and assume the responsibilities of leaders."

Changier International volunteer, Carnegie Mellon University doctoral candidate, Jiang Yuwei

Representatives Jiang Yuwei talked about in her speech to the session, "during the COVID-19 pandemic, women are active in the front line against the virus. But at the same time, women also suffer disproportionately under the influence of the epidemic in unemployment and violence because of gender discrimination. This is an issue that cannot be ignored by society, and I urge the public to pay more and closer attention to it. "

Changier international volunteers, Student of Phillips Exeter Academy, Wu Jianyun

Representative Wu Jianyun noted," I think the conference helped me deepen my understanding of male privilege. Especially with the recent rise in anti-Asian and misogynistic attacks, it's more important than ever to honor and respect women, to prioritize equity before so-called equality, to realize that gender equality is a process."

Changier International Volunteer, Student of Babson School of Business, Lixin Du

Representative Lixin Du talked about her impressions after attending several meetings. She said that she not only broadened her understanding from the macro level but also appreciated gender efforts in the practical approach. "We need to provide more detailed support to increase women's physical and mental health," remarked Lixin Du. "Services are needed more than ever, such as providing women's anti-domestic violence classrooms to raise people's awareness of gender equality and improve knowledge lectures about caring for women's health."

The representatives of Changier fully characterized and expressed the purpose of the foundation during the 65th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women. This session also further enriched the participants' experience on the path of women's equality and empowerment and greatly equipped the representatives with full confidence on this arduous yet rewarding journey towards gender equality. It is without a doubt that the Changier Foundation and all its representatives will further contribute to improving women's equality and implement the foundation's public welfare objectives in the future.