On Wednesday 2 September 2026, Global Youth Dialogue Among Civilizations (GYDCA) welcomed a delegation from the Youth Beijing Federation for a morning tour of the Sorbonne and some of Paris’s most distinguished academic landmarks.
Exploring the Sorbonne’s Academic Heritage
The tour began at the Sorbonne’s historic site, where the delegation visited several of its renowned lecture theatres and learned more about the history and architecture of this emblem of French higher education.
The group then moved on to the Cujas Library, a leading academic library specialising in law and economics. Its reading rooms and extensive collections offered a glimpse into the role university libraries play in supporting students and advancing knowledge.
The final stop was the Panthéon Centre of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University. A tour of its lecture theatres and study spaces gave the delegation a closer look at the academic environment experienced by students in Paris today.
More than a tour of historic buildings, the morning provided an opportunity to reflect on the role universities play in educating, empowering and engaging new generations. The Sorbonne therefore offered a particularly fitting setting for an exchange centred on education, youth and intercultural understanding.
A Visit Made Possible by ISAP1
The visit was made possible with the support of the International Students Association of Paris 1 (ISAP1), a student-led organisation dedicated to welcoming international and exchange students and helping them settle into life in Paris.
Through cultural visits, its Family in Paris podcast and a buddy programme connecting Parisian and international students, ISAP1 creates opportunities for young people from different countries and backgrounds to meet, share experiences and build lasting relationships.
GYDCA extends its sincere thanks to Allegra Pagani, President of ISAP1, for making the collaboration possible.
Special thanks also go to Daphné Guimar and Arthur van Strien, who guided the delegation throughout the morning. Their historical knowledge, engaging commentary and thoughtful insights brought the sites to life and gave participants a deeper appreciation of their academic and cultural significance.
A Gift Connecting Paris and Beijing
The visit concluded at the Panthéon Centre with a symbolic gift presentation. The Beijing Youth Federation delegation presented ISAP1 with a piece of calligraphy created by children in Beijing.
The artwork carried a message of friendship and openness across cultures. In return, the delegation expressed its hope of welcoming members of ISAP1 to China and continuing the relationship established in Paris.
The morning demonstrated how education, cultural heritage and personal encounters can help bring societies closer together. By connecting organisations working with and for young people in France and China, GYDCA aims to encourage the exchange of ideas, foster mutual understanding and create new opportunities for cooperation.
The meeting opened the door to future initiatives between Paris and Beijing, grounded in a shared belief: empowering young people to connect across cultures enables them to play an active role in shaping a more inclusive and collaborative future.
