About the 2025 Poverty Alleviation Challenge
Co-hosted by Tsinghua University, the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, the University of Chile, the Universidad del Pacífico in Peru and Minera Las Bambas S.A., the project attracted the participation of more than 310 teachers and students from 27 universities and enterprises across four countries: China, Brazil, Chile and Peru. The 2025 Poverty Alleviation Challenge is divided into two stages: the Preliminary Competition and the Transnational Final, aiming to promote cross-cultural communication and collaboration, and inspire the innovative thinking and practical capabilities of global youth in the field of poverty alleviation.
On June 7, 2025, the Preliminary Competition of the 2025 Poverty Alleviation Challenge was successfully held, with Tsinghua University as the offline main venue and participants from Latin American countries competing simultaneously in a hybrid online and offline format. After a fierce competition, 12 innovative teams stood out and advanced to the Transnational Final. In August 2025, the Transnational Final of the 2025 Poverty Alleviation Challenge was held in Brazil and Chile successively.
In January 2026, 32 Latin American university students who advanced to the final came to China for cultural immersion activities, including face-to-face exchanges with Chinese teachers and students, visits to China's poverty alleviation bases and institutions, and Chinese cultural tours.
The 2025 Poverty Alleviation Challenge received support from the Chinese Embassy in Brazil, the Consulate-General of China in Rio de Janeiro, the Brazilian Embassy in China, the Chinese Embassy in Chile, the Chilean Embassy in China and the Chinese Embassy in Peru. We sincerely thank renowned domestic and foreign enterprises for their strong support for the event, including Envision Group, CGE, Minera Las Bambas S.A., China Mobile International (Chile), Kuaishou International Business Division and Banco BOCOM BBM S.A..
On January 20, 2026, teacher and student representatives from Tsinghua University, the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, the University of Chile and the University of Santiago de Chile visited State Grid International Development Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "State Grid International") for a corporate visit and exchange activity. This activity aimed to deepen Chilean youth's understanding of Chinese enterprises' practices in overseas energy investment, power grid operation and corporate social responsibility, and build a dialogue platform for China-Latin America cooperation in energy sustainable development and youth innovation collaboration.
Attending the activity were the Director of the Asset Operation Department (Translation Center) and Deputy Director of the Party Committee's Party Building Department (Publicity Department of the Party Committee) of State Grid International as well as other relevant personnel; Professor Chen Taotao, Director of the Tsinghua University Latin America Center, Director of the Research Center for China-Latin America Management Studies at the School of Economics and Management (SEM) of Tsinghua University and Professor of the Finance Department at SEM of Tsinghua University; Dr. Rong Yu, Postdoctoral Fellow of the Tsinghua University Latin American Center; and Fan Jiwei, PhD Candidate of Tsinghua University, among others.
I. Visiting State Grid International: Gaining Insights into Global Energy Layout and Corporate Responsibility
On the afternoon of the 20th, the delegation arrived at State Grid International. Under the guidance of the company's staff, the delegation visited the exhibition hall on the first floor in depth, and systematically learned about the company's development history and core achievements in overseas energy investment, power grid construction and operation, UHV power transmission technology, clean energy development and corporate social responsibility. Through videos, charts and case displays, the exhibition hall vividly presented State Grid International's innovative practices in promoting energy accessibility, community development and environmental protection in Chile, Brazil and other countries.
Explanation of the business development history of State Grid International
Visit and exchange
Group photo of all participants
II. Engaging with State Grid International: Focusing on Youth Power, Discussing the Energy Future and China-Latin America Collaboration
After the visit, the delegation held a special forum with relevant representatives of State Grid International in the company's meeting room.
State Grid International extended a warm welcome to the delegation, pointing out that the company attaches great importance to asset management and corporate image in its operating regions such as Latin America, and has long been committed to carrying out social responsibility projects in Brazil, Chile and other countries. It has always believed in and invested in the younger generation, creating tangible changes for local communities through supporting education, skills training and other projects, and looking forward to inspiring more meaningful dialogue and cooperation through this exchange.
In her speech, Professor Chen Taotao, Director of the Tsinghua University Latin American Center, expressed her gratitude to CGE for its support for the Poverty Alleviation Challenge project, and shared her observations and insights on State Grid International based on her own research experience. Professor Chen Taotao reviewed her experience leading a team of PhD candidates to conduct an in-depth research on State Grid Brazil Holding Company, pointing out that through extensive interviews and field investigations, the company has not only achieved success in China, but also become a powerful and highly respected enterprise in Brazil. At the same time, Professor Chen spoke highly of the outstanding performance of CGE, a subsidiary controlled by State Grid Corporation of China, in actively addressing challenges and earnestly fulfilling corporate social responsibility, and specifically mentioned that "the scene of local girls with confident smiles was impressive" when inspecting the local social projects of CGE.
Speech by the representative of State Grid International
Speech by Professor Chen Taotao, Director of the Tsinghua University Latin America Center
Ms. Maribel Florez, Director of Global Learning at the Office of the Vice President for International Affairs of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, pointed out in her speech that the operational practices of State Grid International fully reflect the people-centered development philosophy of creating value by improving people's livelihood. She specially affirmed the inclusive and respectful working environment created by the company in Chile, and emphasized that cross-border and cross-cultural collaboration is of great significance for addressing global challenges. Taking the vocational training program supported by CGE as an example, Ms. Maribel Florez commended the company's contributions to the capacity building of local youth and community development.
Speech by Ms. Maribel Florez, Director of Global Learning at the Office of the Vice President for International Affairs of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile
Mr. Osvaldo Andrés Guzmán Núñez, Deputy Director of the International Office of the University of Chile, expressed his gratitude to State Grid International for providing this visit opportunity in his speech, emphasizing that the core of this exchange is to promote dialogue and profound friendship between the youth of China and Chile. He pointed out that this is not only an important cross-cultural practice, but also a significant initiative for the long-term development of bilateral relations with a forward-looking perspective. Mr. Osvaldo fully affirmed the irreplaceable and far-reaching role of such youth exchanges in deepening mutual understanding and laying a solid foundation for the friendly relations between the two countries.
Speech by Mr. Osvaldo Andrés Guzmán Núñez, Deputy Director of the International Office of the University of Chile
III. Youth Dialogue: Collision of Diverse Perspectives, Focus on Practical Challenges
During the forum and exchange session, Chilean young students conducted an in-depth dialogue with the on-site guests combining their visit experience and the project practice of the "2025 Poverty Alleviation Challenge". The participating youth expressed their gratitude for this exchange opportunity and stated that the visit had given them a deeper understanding of the specific practices of Chinese enterprises in promoting energy accessibility and fulfilling corporate social responsibility.
In the exchange, youth representatives actively raised questions on a variety of topics such as the practice of corporate social responsibility, project implementation paths, interdisciplinary cooperation and the application of energy technologies. Professor Chen Taotao gave a systematic response to questions such as how enterprises can establish a sustainable cooperation mechanism with local communities, how to implement the innovative solutions of the Poverty Alleviation Challenge, and the energy access challenges faced by some remote areas in Chile. Professor Chen pointed out that the primary responsibility for solving local development problems lies with the host government, and multinational enterprises should act as partners, work hand in hand with local governments and communities, and jointly explore solutions on the basis of respecting local systems and cultures. In terms of project implementation, she emphasized that the design of innovative solutions must be closely aligned with real needs, proactively connect with key resources such as governments, enterprises and markets, and continuously deepen feasibility studies. In response to the energy challenges in remote areas of Chile, CGE Chile has introduced China's mature technical solutions in relevant fields to the Chilean government. She suggested that such practical issues could be included in project discussions in the future, explore localized application paths with the wisdom of young people, and encourage Chilean youth to actively play a bridging role to promote the implementation of feasible poverty alleviation solutions.
In addition, youth representatives paid special attention to the challenges encountered in the implementation of corporate social responsibility projects and the corresponding experience. The representative of State Grid International elaborated from the perspectives of core philosophy and practical cases, emphasizing that the company "has always believed in and invested in the younger generation" and is committed to "turning vision into reality" through energy innovation and social responsibility projects. The representative further shared practical experience in Brazil, for example, its subsidiary CPFL Energia S.A. has helped local residents master wind power maintenance technologies by supporting communities to build skill schools, effectively enhancing the self-development capacity of the communities. In response to the question raised by youth representatives on how non-engineering major students can participate in social responsibility projects, the representative of State Grid International replied that the company's project system covers various fields such as women's empowerment and digital skills training for the elderly, and is always open to young people with different academic backgrounds.
The on-site interaction was positive, fully demonstrating Chilean youth's in-depth thinking and pragmatic attitude towards poverty alleviation and sustainable development, cross-cultural collaboration and solving practical social problems.
Speeches by Chilean youth representatives
This exchange provided a valuable opportunity for Chilean youth to observe the global operation and social responsibility practices of Chinese enterprises up close, and also laid a foundation for expanding cooperation in youth capacity building, innovation project incubation and other aspects in the future. Both sides look forward to taking this opportunity to further strengthen exchanges and collaboration, and jointly contribute wisdom and strength to the global cause of poverty alleviation and sustainable development.
Scene of the forum
