A powerful voice from China resonated at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Youth Forum 2026.
"In China, genuine drug prevention is never about building walls, but about building bridges—connecting medical, legal and social forces to safeguard a better future," said Zhu Wenze, a student from the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC), drawing rounds of applause from fellow representatives.
Remarkably, between 2023 and 2026, all four young representatives from the Chinese mainland selected for the forum have come from universities based in Ningbo, three of them—including Zhu—being UNNC students.
On the international stage, Zhu shared grassroots stories from her research, highlighting China's community-based approach to drug prevention. She explained how a local centre in Ningbo uses VR technology to help visitors experience the consequences of drug use first-hand, making the risks more tangible. She also contributed to drafting the Youth Declaration, sharing China's practical experiences in building prevention systems. Her fluency in both English and French impressed fellow delegates and UN officials alike.
Zhu's journey began in Dandong, a border city where her mother works as an anaesthesiologist, giving her early exposure to the strict regulation of narcotics. Inspired by UNNC student Shao Yifei's participation in the UNODC Youth Forum 2024, Zhu immersed herself in extensive fieldwork—visiting rehabilitation centres, working with community organisations to support former addicts, and researching employment opportunities for people in recovery. Her dedication saw her progress through multiple rounds of selection to become the sole representative from the Chinese mainland.
"This experience showed me that drug prevention is not the responsibility of one nation alone, but a shared challenge for all humanity," she said. "We learn from each other and work together towards a healthier, safer future."
Published on 13 March 2026