Inter-School Youth Development Alliance Launched in Shanghai

The Inter-School Youth Development Alliance (IYDA) was officially launched in Shanghai today, a new platform linking 14 international schools as its first members, as the city deepens its global education landscape.

Initiated by Shanghai Daily, with guidance from the Information Office of Shanghai Municipality and the Shanghai Global News Network of Shanghai United Media Group (SUMG), the alliance aims to align the city's local strengths with global education trends through cross-cultural exchanges and closer school-to-school collaboration.

At the launch ceremony, Chen Yiqun, director of the Information Office of Shanghai Municipality, said the goal is to "further support international schools and students by fostering multidimensional exchanges – empowering young people to draw wisdom from Chinese culture, broaden their horizons through global engagement, and find a true sense of belonging and achievement in Shanghai."

Shanghai Daily Deputy Editor-in-Chief Gao Xing announced the inaugural member schools. They are: The British International School Shanghai, Puxi; Concordia International School Shanghai; Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong and Puxi; German School Shanghai; Shanghai American School; Shanghai Community International School; Shanghai French School; Shanghai Hong Qiao International School; Shanghai Japanese High School; Shanghai Singapore International School; Wellington College International Shanghai; Western International School of Shanghai; and Yew Chung International School Shanghai.

The alliance is built on three pillars: resource-sharing, global cultural exchanges, and supporting the full growth of every student.

School leaders welcomed the initiative. Jonathan Jackson, Lower School principal at Shanghai Hong Qiao International School, said effective resource-sharing is essential to unlocking each school's strengths and expanding collaborative learning opportunities citywide.

Others echoed the sentiment. Kay Yang, deputy head of Wellington College International Shanghai, echoed, saying the alliance creates a good platform for the young generation to connect and for the world to better understand Shanghai and China. "We want to share Shanghai's stories with others," she added.

Jeremy Williams, head of Western International School of Shanghai, said the platform opens new space for connection and creativity – "an opportunity for us to reach out, find similarities, and hear stories we normally wouldn't." The goal, he added, is to "explore, make new connections, and see what impact we can make on the city."

The alliance's 2026 calendar was also revealed, featuring three flagship programs: the English Talent Show (English writing competition), the Media Workshop and the Alliance Themed Concert.

The announcement drew an enthusiastic response.

Hisao Amagai, principal of Shanghai Japanese High School, said: "Through these activities, students learn to understand and embrace diverse values while creating new ones. In the process, their understanding of different cultures will deepen."

Damien Hehir, regional executive principal of Yew Chung International School Shanghai, said the planned activities are "very exciting," noting that "the English writing competition would be a great opportunity for our students," especially those interested in journalism.

Jackson added that the key takeaway he hopes students gain from the alliance's programs is leadership, stressing the importance of "giving them early opportunities to find their skills and make progress" as they grow.

After the ceremony, representatives from the member schools convened for the alliance's first roundtable session, engaging in a lively discussion on the future of global education in Shanghai.

As one of the city's key initiatives to deepen educational openness and build a strong pipeline of global-ready talent, the IYDA aims to foster deeper collaboration and resource complementarity across schools through a standardized, sustainable model, creating a dynamic and influential platform for the city's next generation.