16 March 2021

The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK) hosted HSUHK Founders’ Day 2021 Youth Development Forum on 16 March 2021. We are honoured to have Mr Eugene Fong Yick-jin – Chairman of the Committee on Home-School Co-operation and Member of the Education Commission, HKSAR, as guest speaker and Professor Simon Ho Shun-man, President of the HSUHK, as moderator, to share about the topic “Youth Engagement in Sustainable Development: Ways and Challenges”. The on-site forum with live broadcast was well-attended by around 300 representatives from a wide range of sectors in society.

The United Nations has adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in late 2015. This Forum focused on youth participation and challenges that young people are facing in environment protection and social inclusion. Professor Ho remarked that although the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, relief measures and economic reconstruction are the issues of greatest public concern, all sectors of society shall continue to pursue sustainable development. He hoped to bring insight and inspiration in this aspect through this Forum.

Chairman Fong reckoned that we can engage meaningfully in sustainable development in our everyday life as it covers a huge range of topics. ‘I suggest that young people may choose a topic of sustainable development that arouses their interest most, and then contribute gradually to it by learning and gaining deep understanding.’ He also encouraged parents to play a key role in facilitating youth exploration and participation in sustainable development, being the companions and supporters of their children and enhancing themselves by keeping abreast of the trend of social development.

Professor Ho mentioned that there are multiple ways for young people to take part in and promote sustainable development. He hoped that society and young people would build resilience and cultivate humility, mutual respect and inclusiveness. ‘Each generation faces their own challenges and opportunities. I believe that by maintaining a good communication relationship, different stakeholders will come to find shared values.”