China-Latin America Youth Responding to Global Challenges - 2026 Poverty Alleviation Challenge
Mentor Interview · Special Feature
China and Latin America join hands to advance poverty alleviation;
empower with wisdom, and achieve far-reaching impact through action.
China-Latin America Youth Responding to Global Challenges
- 2026 Poverty Alleviation Challenge
has invited senior mentors from academia, public welfare and industry
to provide full-cycle professional guidance for participating teams.
In this issue, we talk with Mentor Du Xia to share her insights
on China-Latin America youth innovation for poverty alleviation,
her understanding of the competition model,
and her sincere message for youth development.
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Mentor Profile
Researcher, Research Center for Dynamic Competition and Innovation Strategy,
School of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University
Entrepreneurship Mentor, Tsinghua x-lab
Research / Practice Areas: Dynamic competition and innovation strategy; sustainable business models and corporate collaboration mechanisms; mentoring and incubation of innovative projects driven by SDGs; implementation pathways for projects focused on artificial intelligence technology application, green and low‑carbon initiatives and social value creation.
Preferred tutoring areas: Sustainable development solutions and interdisciplinary entrepreneurship project design with a focus on artificial intelligence application in financial services, process industries, education, medical treatment and social and environmental fields; optimization of expression and proposal refinement for SDG innovation competition projects, financing preparation and industry alignment for technology-driven and impact-oriented projects.
Exclusive Interview
Q1: Why did you participate in the 2026 Poverty Alleviation Challenge and serve as a mentor?
The Poverty Alleviation Challenge is an educational platform built for youth from China, Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as other countries around the world to communicate, share ideas, and co-create innovative solutions to poverty alleviation, one of the most pressing global challenges. Since the first China-Latin America Youth Responding to Global Challenges - 2024 Poverty Alleviation Challenge, I have been working with the entire project team led by Professor Chen Taotao, witnessing the enthusiasm and dedication of the young people striving to address this issue. Their sustained passion inspires me to do my utmost to support teams and accompany them as they face future challenges together.
Q2: How do you interpret the 'integration of learning, competition, and research' model in this edition of the event?
It helps student teams identify problems and conduct in-depth research, and then transform real-world problems into practical solutions through the competition. This process strengthen their understanding of relevant fields, while enabling them to accumulate insights and develop competencies needed to contribute to society in the future.
Q3: What do you think are the three key qualities that make an outstanding poverty reduction camp team?
First, maintain curiosity and an open mindset in order to engage deeply with the actual situation and identify the real problems. Second, they should stay focused, embracing the idea that “less is more”—and avoid proposing overly comprehensive yet impractical solutions disconnected from reality. Third, they should develop cross-cultural communication skills and leadership capabilities to foster effective teamwork. By leveraging individual strengths while drawing on collective expertise, teams can not only sustain excellence but also inspire and motivate others, growing together through the competition.
Mentor's Message
Stay curious, think deeply, build friendship, and move forward together.---
China-Latin America Youth Responding to Global Challenges - 2026 Poverty Alleviation Challenge
Harnessing the Power of Youth to Combat Global Poverty
Follow the Tsinghua University Latin America Center for more mentor guidance and competition updates
