The theme of the 40th International Volunteer Day is “Converge Volunteer Power, Build a Better Society”, which is perfectly embodied in the 2025 Shanghai Roots & Shoots’ Green Leadership Training Program. This initiative brings together volunteer mentors who dedicate their spare time to inspire young people, painting a vivid picture of sustainable development and fostering a legacy of “Youth Inspiring Youth.”
1. Raise Green Awareness Through Peer-to-Peer Engagement
Launched in November, the 2025 Green Leadership Training Program – Navigation for a Green Career Future welcomed core members from Roots & Shoots clubs across 14 high schools and universities. Through a journey of knowledge, practice, and collaboration, participants explored the limitless possibilities of green careers. Volunteer mentors take advantage of weekends and after-work hours to support youth development, combining professional insights with personal experiences.
The two-day program began with a dual focus on enhancing skills and broadening perspectives. Chen Ting, School Management Director of Shanghai Roots & Shoots, shared the organization’s 26-year journey, emphasizing that green actions are not isolated passion but replicable practices.
Mr. Cheng Liang from EFC, provided ESG trend analyses and career opportunities. He even invited his colleagues to share their real-world experiences, turning abstract concepts into tangible career paths.
Volunteer mentors deliver workshops
Mr. Wang Xiangdao from MoSeeker is a former Roots & Shoots club leader. He sent his Market Manager, Mr. Wu Hanxiao to offer a Green Career Guidance session for students, not only explaining the hottest concept, such as AI assisted recruitment, resume screening, and online assessment tools, but also highlighted the most anticipated career path based on talent market data.
These volunteer mentors gave up their leisure time to offer valued assistance for future green leaders. They are the exact embodiment of volunteer spirit.
Beyond technical skills, mentors offered empathy-driven empowerment, addressing the unique challenges faced by young job seekers.
Ms Helen Chen from CBRE delivered a wonderful workshops on resume building and interview preparation. She understands these new birds so well and fully addresses the most asked questions, like what shall be included or not included in the resume, and how to prepare for an interview. Her team even planned a mock HR resume screening session, to put students into the real scenario, and explore new perspectives.
Left: Helen Chen shares resume skills; Right: Students practicing in mock HR screening
Ms Sasa He is a former staff member of Shanghai Roots & Shoots and now works in Jiuze Law Firm. She invited her colleague, Lawyer Ms Han Tian, to lead students through the workplace rights 101, and equip students with practical legal tools to protect their rights. Ms Han especially emphasized the boundaries of public welfare activities, ensuring that students’ aspirations align with legal frameworks.
Both ladies are not professional coaches or lecturers but dedicated their time and efforts in empowering youth with their professional expertise, as volunteers.
Ms Han explains workplace rights in her workshop session.
3. Cultivating Green Outcomes Through Collaborative Action
The Green Seed Fund competition served as a platform for students to apply their learning from the training program. Roots & Shoots provided both funding and resources, while volunteer mentors offered guidance and support, acting as incubators for youth-led environmental projects. This time, selected projects include biodiversity initiatives from Shanghai World Foreign Language Academy, TNR project from Shanghai Custom University and water environment programs from Tongji University, showcasing both creativity and impact.
Megan Li, Executive Director of Shanghai Roots & Shoots, made a final speech. She promised that Roots & Shoots will offer more opportunities to outstanding school groups, such as visits to museums, professional workshops and senior mentorship. She congratulated the selected teams and encouraged them to execute their initiatives in the next school term.
Left : Participation Certificates. Right: Winners of Green Seed Funds photo with judges.
The training program concluded with an immersive experience at CATL, where students explored battery R&D and smart manufacturing. This hands-on engagement demonstrated that green technology is not just a concept but a tangible reality driven by innovation and youth participation.
Left: Making an automated following mini vehicle; Right: Mentor explains EV charging station fault detection platform.
4. A Legacy of Volunteerism and Sustainable Impact
As the Green Leadership Training Program drew to a close, its impact extended beyond skills and knowledge. It instilled a belief in the power of peer influence and volunteerism. Former participants are now environmental advocates, green job seekers, and new volunteers committed to passing on the torches they received.
Stick to the spirit of International Volunteer Day, these mentors utilized their time and expertise to steer youth toward sustainable development. Their efforts exemplify the essence of the Green Leadership Training Program: empowering youth of today so that tomorrow they can illuminate even more youth, making a huge difference for a better future.
