To kick off our conference and network launch event for the Network for the Study of Social-Ecological Systems (SES) Transformations, the Centre for Civil Society and Governance hosted a public dialogue on “Building Resilient Urban-Rural Partnerships.” We were very pleased to welcome network members from across the Asia-Pacific region, alongside practitioners, government representatives, and guests from Hong Kong to the event. We would like to sincerely thank Professor Samson Tse, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Ms. Linda So, JP, Director of the Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office, for delivering the opening remarks. Ms. So’s opening speech was both inspiring and timely, reinforcing the importance of advancing nature-based solutions and sustainable practices as well as the government’s understanding of the challenges and opportunities in building a resilient and sustainable future through the Northern Metropolis Development. We were also honoured to have Professor Yahua Wang (Tsinghua University) and Dr. Ruth Meinzen-Dick(International Food Policy Research Institute) as our keynote speakers. Professor Wang explained the challenges of applying the SES framework across contexts due to variability in variable selection and interpretation, while also highlighting the importance of complexity, robustness, collaborative networks, and the potential for integrating AI and SES research. He also reflected on the importance of collaborative networks in working toward a more common SES language. Building on this, Dr. Meinzen-Dick spoke to the importance of bridging theory and practice, transdisciplinarity, and building connections across people, institutions, and disciplines. She highlighted the importance of engaging with property rights and collective action in robust ways, and reflected on how experiential learning fosters collective action. We were pleased to also offer a panel session featuring Professor Maiko Nishi, Professor Ching-Ping Tang, Professor Stephen M.B. Tang, and our Centre Director Professor Wai-Fung Lam. Dr. Winnie Law led a fruitful discussion on critical issues such as challenges in evaluating and understanding social-ecological systems beyond conventional metrics, including how to capture the broader social, ecological, and long-term impacts of these systems and partnerships. Thank you once again to all keynote speakers, panelists, participants, and guests for contributing to such a thoughtful discussion.

The first conference and official launch of the Network for the Study of Social Ecological System (SES) Transformation will take place as a two-day event on 5–6 May 2026, organised by the Centre for Civil Society and Governance at The University of Hong Kong. The network brings together scholars working on social-ecological systems, governance, commons, cultural heritage, environmental policy, and sustainability transitions from a range of institutions across the Asia-Pacific and beyond. For more details: https://ccsg.hku.hk/en/network-for-the-study-of-social-ecological-systems-ses-transformation-network-launch/

The Centre for Civil Society and Governance (CCSG) at HKU, through the "Jockey Club Collaborative Project for Inclusive Employment," is dedicated to building cross-sector platforms that connect diverse stakeholders to realize the goals of inclusive employment and living. Recently, our project team partnered with local shared-cycling brand Locobike to host an inclusive cycling workshop at St. James' Settlement WE NET Club District Support Centre (Eastern). Key Highlights: Integration of Technology and Rehabilitation Services: The workshop showcased cycling equipment integrated with Virtual Reality (VR) technology. This allows persons with disabilities (PWD) to experience the joy of outdoor sports within a safe and controlled indoor environment, effectively breaking down physical and environmental barriers. Evidence-Based Feedback: The session served as a platform to gather insights from frontline rehabilitation professionals. By leaving the equipment at the centre for member trials, the team continues to collect user data and experience feedback, assisting the enterprise in refining its products and services to better suit diverse needs. Advancing Social Health and Sustainability: This exchange exemplifies how businesses can leverage their core competencies to generate social value. By expanding exercise options and enhancing engagement for PWD, we hope to improve their long-term physical and mental well-being—a direct contribution to Social Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We look forward to fostering further dialogue between the business sector and social welfare/rehabilitation institutions. Together, we can co-create products and services that cater to diverse needs, building a barrier-free and inclusive society for all.

Recently, The Hong Kong General Chamber of Social Enterprises (HKGCSE) successfully organised the inaugural “ESG Social Contribution Award”, celebrating companies that have long supported social enterprises and fostering greater collaboration between the corporate and social sectors. As one of the panel speakers, Dr. Winnie Law, Deputy Director at the Centre for Civil Society and Governance of The University of Hong Kong, shared valuable insights on the importance of building a comprehensive social enterprise ecosystem. Dr. Law emphasised that the success of social enterprises relies not only on individual efforts but also on the collective support from government, enterprises, investors, and communities to form a sustainable and vibrant ecosystem. She highlighted three core elements vital for social enterprise sustainability: a well-defined and genuine social mission, a viable and sustainable business model, and continuous innovation in products, services, or operations. The event showcased the increasing commitment of the business community to ESG principles and social responsibility. The awards also foster meaningful dialogue and partnerships taking place in the social enterprises’ ecosystem. These have laid a solid foundation for future collaborations and the continued growth of social enterprises, demonstrating the vital role of multi-sector cooperation in creating social impact through business. 👉Read the full article for more details: https://www.am730.com.hk/%E6%9C%AC%E5%9C%B0/1019407/esg%E5%95%86%E7%A4%BE%E5%85%B1%E5%89%B5%E5%A4%A7%E7%8D%8E-%E7%A4%BE%E4%BC%81%E7%B8%BD%E6%9C%83%E6%90%AD%E5%B9%B3%E5%8F%B0%E4%BF%83%E9%80%B2%E5%95%86%E7%A4%BE%E5%8A%A0%E5%BC%B7%E5%90%88%E4%BD%9C?fbclid=IwY2xjawQwMotleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF1RFh4NHVSUU1WYmN6aUFEc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHhfNxytf_Lol2yqIunFcwQqIQA4AM_ivyu1BiYsWUsaJLV4WzM8pRnmkxiRY_aem_zXTt8XREovM_1ihlFLh63A

For decades, the textile and apparel industry has been associated with environmentally polluting practices and labour‑intensive production.These have flagged at many fronts of the sustainability agendas. Plenty of brands and companies have progressed and reduced social and environmental harms through innovation and technology. At Esquel, we saw the start of a paradigm shift towards sustainability attainment. Last week, our rural sustainability and corporate sustainability teams had the privilege of attending the Open Day at Integral, located among the scenic landscape of Guilin, China, which embodies the brand’s philosophy of sustainability. In the two fruitful days, our team has had the opportunity to learn about their journey in sustainability transition, Whether through developing innovative waterless dyeing technologies, exploring plant‑based natural dyes, or advancing strategies for quality employment—including workforce upskilling, lifelong learning, and employee wellbeing—the Group demonstrates a holistic approach to sustainable transformation. These initiatives not only reflect the corporate commitment to minimizing its environmental impact and contributing to the community but also demonstrate that the investment in sustainability, though often seen as a long shot, helps the corporation build a competitive advantage in the long run. Through the efforts in research & development, Esquel is able to expand its business portfolio beyond being a manufacturer to a knowledge-based innovation company with the goal of pushing greener standards in the industry. Ultimately, Esquel set its eyes on scaling the application of natural dyes across the textile industry, with the collective effort of academic and research institutions to promote innovation, knowledge transfer and wider adoption of nature-based solutions. There are plenty for our team to learn and reflect upon and we look forward to having future opportunities to exchange further with great minds at Esquel!

Under the Jockey Club Collaborative Project for Inclusive Employment, the Centre for Civil Society and Governance is delighted to participate in the Hong Kong Inclusion Summit 2026, hosted by @SCMP LIVE, together with all our project partners. Our project set up an exhibition booth to showcase our work and seize this valuable opportunity to connect with new potential partners. The Summit provided a vibrant platform to advance conversations on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in Hong Kong, highlighting how diverse and inclusive workforces drive business success. The event was a great success — let’s keep collaborating to build more inclusive workplaces and communities!

The workshop on the Special Issue in Voluntas: The Nonprofit Sector and ESG, organised by the Centre for Civil Society and Governance at The University of Hong Kong, was successfully convened on January 8-9, 2026. This engaging two-day event brought together scholars, as well as professionals from the corporate and nonprofit sectors, to discuss the fascinating research conducted by international authors contributing to this special issue. Each presentation was followed by lively discussion and Q&A sessions, reflecting high engagement and diverse perspectives from participants. The workshop successfully fostered meaningful dialogue on the ways the nonprofit sector intersects with ESG. The workshop featured five comprehensive panels comprising a total of 12 insightful papers, addressing key themes across the ESG landscape: Philosophical and Cultural Perspectives on ESG Highlighted that ESG is not merely a technical framework, but also a deeply normative and culturally embedded concept Governance and Sustainability Examined how ESG is interpreted and implemented in concrete organizational and policy settings Public Perceptions of Nonprofits and ESG Explored how nonprofits are perceived, evaluated, and engaged by the public and other stakeholders: Trust, legitimacy, and participation Collaboration and Cross-Sector Partnerships in ESG Discussed the nuanced treatment of collaboration. Power asymmetries, strategic alignment, and the risks of mission drift. ESG Metrics, Reporting, and Evaluation in the Nonprofit Sector Addressed the need to balance standardization and comparability with contextual sensitivity and mission-specific goals Across these discussions, several cross-cutting themes emerged: ESG is not a one-size-fits all framework. Its meaning and implications vary across cultures, sectors, institutional contexts, and organizational forms Nonprofits are not passive recipients of ESG pressures. They actively interpret, adapt, and sometimes resist ESG frameworks Collaboration is central to advancing ESG for social good 🏬Field Visit to Nan Fung Group at AIRSIDE: Insights into Corporate Sustainability and NGO Collaboration Participants learned about Nan Fung’s sustainability framework, SEWIT, including management tools and impact measurement methods. SEWIT’s pillars: Social Cohesion, Environment, Wellness, Innovation, and Technology, guiding long-term business and community sustainability. Engaged in in-person exchanges with community stakeholders at Good Date Village, grounding the framework in real-world practice. A big thank you to the Nan Fung team for hosting us and for the insightful sharing. We also extend our gratitude to all participants for making this event a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration. We look forward to further academic contributions in ESG within the nonprofit sector.  

The “Forest Village Festival” is an annual celebration organised towards the year-end to provide fun-filled events for the public to appreciate the revitalisation effort of Mui Tsz Lam and Kop Tong. The festival offers visitors the unique experience of living with nature and culture through various thematic workshops, ecotours, and overnight camping. By featuring the countless natural, social and cultural capitals and assets at the two villages, we hope the public can be inspired and join us in protecting the valuable landscape of our countryside. This year, there will be a two-day carnival, the New Year's Sunrise Tour and the Winter Solstice Camping event to explore the rural treasures. Further details are only available in Chinese or you may send your enquiries to ruralsd@hku.hk