The 2026 Global Shapers Community We Shape Greater Bay Area Retreat was held recently in Guangzhou, attracting 65 youth leaders from 15 countries and regions as well as 25 Global Shapers Community (GSC) hubs.
The participants from countries and regions including Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, comprised 43% working professionals, 28% entrepreneurs, and 18% students, representing sectors such as technology, finance, sustainability, education, and healthcare.
Under the theme "Reconnect · Resilience · Revolution", the three-day event mainly focused on topics such as technology and innovation, green development, and mindfulness and well-being.
Immersive industry visits were arranged for the participants who were divided into 3 groups. The Technology & Innovation group visited WeRide, test-riding L4 autonomous vehicles; the Green Development group toured Guangzhou Emissions Exchange and Carbon Neutrality Park; the Mindfulness & Wellbeing group explored Zen tea and mindfulness at Xinlu Space. Each group had dialogues and exchanges with company representatives, industry professionals and scholars.
On the final day, some participants learned Baduanjin and Tai Chi pushing hands, while others went birdwatching at Guangzhou Haizhu National Wetland Park. At HKUST-GZ, Cici Wong (WEF Future 50 Leader) moderated a "Meet the Leaders" roundtable with Gene Fu (HKUST-GZ), Claire Tsui (WEF 2023 Young Global Leader), and SHEN Danxi (Sany Foundation; WEF 2025 Young Global Leader). Hub project presentations followed from Hong Kong, Xi’an, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Haikou, and Shenzhen.
"Three days are too short to taste every Cantonese delicacy, but long enough to plant a seed of 'We Shape' in each other's hearts," said Christy Leung, the founder & project leader of We Shape.
The event was co-hosted by the GSC Guangzhou Hub and the Council for the Promotion of Guangzhou-Hong Kong-Macao Cooperation, with support from the GSC Shenzhen and Hong Kong Hubs.
Reporter: Xie Maishi
Photo: Guangzhou International Exchange and Cooperation Foundation
