[Academic Exchange] Former UN Under-Secretary-General Lectures at Wuhan University

Wuhan University News Network (Reporter: Feng Cunwan, Lai Rui, Du Yeyan, Chen Panpan) Recently, Fabrizio Hochschild Drummond, former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, visited Wuhan University to attend a roundtable on talent cultivation for international organizations and deliver a lecture as part of the 498th Luojia Forum. Vice Party Secretary Qu Wenqian and Vice President Lu Wei met with the guest.

At the meeting, Qu Wenqian stated that cultivating and sending talents to international organizations such as the UN is a key component of Wuhan University’s efforts to build a world-class university and talent system. The university has made significant progress in areas such as value-driven education, specialized training, career guidance, and expanding career pathways. He expressed hope for deeper collaboration with the UN system to nurture more outstanding talents for global development and contribute to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Participants exchanged views on the university’s talent cultivation programs for international organizations and strategies for enhancing global competence at the individual level.

At the Luojia Forum, Vice President Lu Wei presented Hochschild Drummond with a commemorative plaque and introduced Wuhan University’s history, current development, international collaborations, and its efforts in promoting talent for international organizations. He expressed a desire for continued cooperation with the UN system to jointly cultivate globally competent young professionals in support of peace and sustainable development.

Drummond delivered a lecture on the theme “What Kind of Talents Do International Organizations Need.” He stated that the international community is undergoing an unprecedented historical transformation, with issues such as climate change, digital transformation, and major power relations profoundly shaping the agendas of the United Nations and other international organizations. At this critical juncture filled with both challenges and opportunities, the participation of more young talents will contribute to advancing international cooperation and world peace. He emphasized that international organizations particularly value language proficiency, cross-cultural communication skills, teamwork and leadership abilities, the capacity to work effectively under pressure and in high-risk environments, as well as a strong passion for international service. Enhancing these competencies will better equip globally minded Chinese students to make greater contributions to the international community.

Hochschild Drummond currently serves as a senior researcher at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, co-chair of the UN SDG & Leadership Development Center’s Advisory Board, and senior advisor to the International Competency Development Committee of the China Society of Education Development Strategy. With over 35 years of experience in the UN system, he has made significant contributions to global peace, security, and development. During his tenure as United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Advisor to the Secretary-General, he fully assisted Secretary-General António Guterres in formulating the "Strategic Framework for Addressing Global Challenges in the 21st Century", making outstanding contributions to global sustainable development and the maintenance of international order.

(Photos: School of Political Science and Public Administration, School of Law; Edited by: Zhao Jifan)