Want to improve the world? Start with yourself

I started microblogging in 2009 – it seemed like a fun thing to do, to share little bits of my daily life. In fact, my first ever Weibo message was to help sell dog food for one of my friends. But I gradually came to see Weibo as a kind of salon, where all manner of subjects could be discussed and where people could meet, discuss and broaden their horizons.

I’ve seen the power of Weibo in times of crisis. In the aftermath of an earthquake, I saw how Weibo could be used to share information and help with the relief effort. It has even helped struggling farmers. I once reposted a message about farmers who couldn’t sell their potatoes and they quickly sold out.

Over time, I have built up a following of 73 million people. The pressure of this kind of interest in every aspect of my life can be intense, but I have also realized how powerful that public scrutiny can be. A single Weibo can make a huge difference to people’s lives, and if the positive energy of Weibo – and the power of celebrity – can be brought together, that can make a real difference.

Becoming a celebrity really took me by surprise. It’s not something I really wanted, but I believe now that to have public attention and influence is a great honour, and with that comes huge responsibility.

This is something I have felt more strongly over the past four years in my role as a goodwill ambassador for the UNHCR (United Nations High Commission for Refugees). I’ve travelled widely in that role and have had some really touching experiences. It’s easy to think of a country in very broad terms, but when you actually visit a place and meet people, seeing their daily lives, it’s a very moving experience.

Celebrity has given me many opportunities; I’ve seen the beautiful landscapes of New Zealand and fashion festivals in Paris, but I’ve also been to a refugee camp in Ethiopia and have seen really vulnerable people. I sometimes feel there’s an invisible hand pushing me on.

I want to share the positive energy that Weibo has, and use the influence that celebrity has given me, to do good work – helping charities and individuals. I realized some time ago that simply reposting a Weibo can be incredibly powerful. It can encourage donations to disaster-stricken areas, for instance. I also repost touching stories of people in desperate need; people who need money for cancer surgery. Reposting can provide a solution to many people’s problems.

In the past year, I’ve become a mum, and that’s given my sense of responsibility a new focus. I want my son to grow up in a better environment, so I’m becoming more interested in charity work that aims to improve air and water quality, and in campaigns to stop child trafficking. Having a son has made me more courageous.

When he’s older, I’d like to take him on UNHCR field trips, so I can expose him to both sides of life – the dark and the beautiful.

To the young leaders of today, I say: use integrity, charm, responsibility and courage to lead others and be influential. But make yourself a better person before trying to make others better.

Yao Chen is an actress who’s participating in the Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2014. You can watch a video of her talk here.