Introducing SEESALT. We are sowing light, harvesting eternity.
SEESALT, makes International development a force to unite communities, nations, and cultures for sustainable development and transformative change.
“Where young minds awaken to limitless possibility, where barriers dissolve into bridges, and where each voice joins the chorus of change – into that world of tomorrow, SEESALT leads today forward.”
Zhijun He, Founder, SEESALT.
https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/team/z/zhijun-heSOWING LIGHT, HARVESTING ETERNITY
We are development economists, climate technologists, and policy practitioners working across grassroots community development and institutional advisory roles. As a globally recognized new development institute awarded by the World Bank Innovation Lab, the United Nations, and the Clinton Foundation, we operate through integrated research, technology deployment, and direct community engagement. We provide strategic consultation to international organizations while maintaining deep roots in rural communities, connecting local entrepreneurs with global networks, and deploying advanced climate intelligence systems for poverty reduction and child protection worldwide.
Awards & Recognitions
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https://x.com/ODET_UN/status/1935168419726324053
Recognized by the United Nations for developing advanced satellite intelligence systems that protect vulnerable children through real-time climate risk assessment and predictive early warning capabilities.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWfIfCBeSiU&t=3345s
Recognized for developing comprehensive rural youth empowerment solutions that address agricultural underemployment, skills gaps, and systemic barriers across Emerging Asia, creating sustainable livelihood pathways for marginalized communities.
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World Bank Youth Summit recognition for pioneering digital interventions that enhance food security infrastructure in Ethiopia, providing real-time agricultural monitoring and early warning systems to protect communities from hunger and malnutrition.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5yIEp66k6E
CGIU Commitment partner recognized for implementing measurable, specific, and time-bound solutions that create lasting impact in rural development and child protection across Asia Pacific and Horn of Africa.
"True development happens when young entrepreneurs in rural villages access the same opportunities as those in capital cities."--Yan X, IMF Asia Pacific Department
"True development happens when young entrepreneurs in rural villages access the same opportunities as those in capital cities."--Yan X, IMF Asia Pacific Department
Qianli Xu | Cornell University CALS "When farmers become scientists and students become teachers, sustainable agriculture takes root."
Qianli Xu | Cornell University CALS "When farmers become scientists and students become teachers, sustainable agriculture takes root."
Xiaozhao Wu | CICC "Capital flows where vision meets execution. Young changemakers are the best investment any society can make."
Jia Chang | Tufts University "Public health isn't just about treating disease – it's about creating conditions where communities can thrive from within."
Xiaozhao Wu | CICC "Capital flows where vision meets execution. Young changemakers are the best investment any society can make." Jia Chang | Tufts University "Public health isn't just about treating disease – it's about creating conditions where communities can thrive from within."
WE ARE SEESALT,
HERE TO SHOW THE WAY.
Grassroots to Global
We believe sustainable change grows from community roots. SEESALT connects local innovations with international networks, scaling village-level solutions into global movements. From soil analysis in rural farms to climate education across continents, we bridge the micro and macro.
Youth-Led Transformation
Young people aren't just beneficiaries – they're the architects of change. We empower youth aged 16-30 to lead projects, design solutions, and mentor peers. Our 7,000+ members don't wait for permission to change the world; they create it.
Cross-Cultural Synthesis
Drawing from both Eastern philosophy (世光 - bringing light to the world) and Western innovation frameworks, we blend ancient wisdom with modern methodology. Every project incorporates diverse cultural perspectives, creating solutions that resonate globally while respecting local contexts.
Sustainable Ecosystem Building
Rather than one-off interventions, we create interconnected networks of change:
Knowledge sharing through workshops and seminars
Mentorship chains where beneficiaries become mentors
Resource circulation connecting surplus to need
Partnership weaving linking NGOs, universities, and communities
Action-Reflection Cycles
Find yourself, hold to yourself, walk your own path forward.
We combine rapid prototyping with deep reflection, ensuring every action contributes to both immediate impact and long-term transformation.
Inclusive Excellence
From leading institutions to rural entrepreneurs, from conservation scientists to creative artists – SEESALT believes brilliance exists everywhere. We actively seek voices from marginalized communities, knowing that those closest to problems often hold the keys to solutions.
This holistic approach transforms individual passion into collective power, creating ripples of change that expand from communities to nations to the world.
FOUR AGENCIES, ONE SEESALT.
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SEESALT INSTITUTE 世光研究院
SEESALT Institute is the research and knowledge hub of SEESALT, developing cutting-edge policy frameworks. Our 117 global consultants bridge academic research with field implementation, creating the intellectual foundation for our community development and institutional advisory work.
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SEESALT TERRA 坚地计划
SeeSALT Terra, our flagship program, provides one-on-one mentorship with industry experts to advise on business plans, access to finance, and navigating regulatory procedures, and facilitates peer learning across cohorts to share best practices.
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EMBER SEMINARS 微光研讨会
Development economics research seminars and SEESALT's capacity training program, also responsible for World Bank Youth Advisory Group outreach work in agriculture and informal economic sectors.
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ADAPTION LAB 适应性试验室
SEESALT Adaptation Lab is our newest agency focused on building climate resilience through advanced intelligence systems and community-centered solutions. We deploy predictive climate technologies that protect vulnerable populations while strengthening adaptive capacity in rural communities.
Captures of 2025 SEESALT+ Summer Program
SEESALT+: Collaborative Programs for Global Impact
Wheat Ear 2030 Explorer Camp: Bridging Urban-Rural Youth Through Innovation
A Collaborative Effort between SEESALT and MAITIAN EDUCATION FOUNDATION. Join 11-15-year-olds in transformative summer camps that connect city students with rural communities in Hunan Province, China. Through project-based learning and cross-cultural exchange, participants develop critical thinking, leadership, and social innovation skills while addressing real community challenges.
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/V2qKGUSKn8fdczd6pe3WyQ
https://www.mowo.cn
SEESALT TERRA: OUR LATEST EFFORT
SUNWARD YOUTH SOCIETY
Transforming rural youth from beneficiaries into hometown changemakers.
In Emerging Asia's rapidly evolving landscape, rural communities face an exodus of talent as young people leave for cities, rarely to return. Sunward Youth Society reimagines this narrative by empowering rural youth aged 11-18 to discover their unique strengths, build hometown pride, and become architects of community transformation.
Since our founding, we've reached 200+ students across rural Asia, with special focus on at-risk youth in urban-rural transitional zones. From factory towns to remote mountain villages, Sunward youth are proving that the next generation of changemakers doesn't need to leave home to change the world.
Our Promise: Every young person, regardless of geography or circumstance, possesses the light to illuminate their community's path forward. We simply assist them find their sun.
SEESALT IN GLOBAL HEADLINES
Our initiatives have caught the attention of international media, development organizations, and policy makers worldwide. SEESALT's model of empowering young changemakers is being recognized as a blueprint for sustainable development in the 21st century. We selected some latest news for you.
Let your story be heard.
AT SEESALT.
Your vision for change deserves to be heard. Whether you're launching a social enterprise, transforming communities through grassroots action, or pioneering sustainable solutions, SEESALT provides the platform, mentorship, and global network to amplify your impact.
Join 500+ young leaders who are turning bold ideas into transformative realities. From climate innovation in Latin America to education initiatives in rural Tanzania, from sustainable agriculture in Africa to conservation projects across Asia – every changemaker's journey starts with a single step.
Your story matters. Your solution could inspire thousands. Your project could transform communities. At SEESALT, we believe in the power of youth-led innovation to create the sustainable future our world needs.
Hi there! I'm Pampam!
I'm SEESALT's official Chief Happiness Officer (and official mascot), hopping around Cornell with my human, Sky Xu. When I'm not nibbling on organic carrots from the CALS research gardens or supervising soil sample analysis from my cozy corner of the lab, I'm here to help connect you with our amazing SEESALT family!
Got questions? Want to collaborate? Need someone to wiggle their nose approvingly at your ideas?
I'm your bunny! Drop me a message at zhijun1933@gmail.com(His email is mine now), and I'll ensure it reaches the right person (after I review it for Timothy grass and lettuce-related content, of course).
Email Pampam & Team:
Subject Line Suggestions from Pampam:
- 🌱 Partnership Opportunities (Carrots Welcome)
- 🌍 Youth Program Inquiry (From a Future Changemaker)
- 🎓 Research Collaboration (Soil Science = Happy Plants = Happy Rabbits!)
- 💡 I Have an Idea to Share (It's Hop-tastic)
- 🤝 Let's Work Together (Head Scratches Included?)
