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

The Centre for Civil Society and Governance was invited to attend the Recognition Ceremony of the “Co-Create for Good” Partnership Engagement Programme (共創行善企業及策略伙伴計劃嘉許禮). This event was organized by the Christian Family Service Centre (CFSC). Our Director, Professor Wai-Fung Lam, was invited as the guest speaker for the event’s sharing session. He delivered a talk titled “Investing in Social Impact – How Businesses Collaborate with the Social Welfare Sector to Build Sustainable Business Models.” It is one of the largest events hosted by CFSC, aiming to recognise companies that collaborate with CFSC to make our society a better place. CFSC also showcased its six strategic focus areas: mental health, the silver economy, poverty alleviation, ESG (environmental, social, and governance), digital innovation and information technology, talent development, and cultural development in the exhibition area. Once again, we congratulate CFSC on the great success of the ceremony.

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations are rapidly reshaping the retail landscape across Asia Pacific, driven by evolving consumer expectations and mounting environmental challenges. According to the KPMG GS1 Navigating the Future of Seamless Commerce in Asia Pacific (2024) report[1], only 11% of consumers in 14 Asia-Pacific markets stated that sustainability does not influence their purchasing decisions. The majority actively seek brands with clear sustainability commitments—53% are more likely to choose sustainable products, while significant proportions prioritize waste reduction through recycling (49%), sustainable sourcing of raw materials (31%), and eco-friendly packaging (30%). Additionally, 28% value brands with robust climate action or net-zero strategies, and 22% are concerned with fair labour practices, underscoring ESG as a critical factor in consumer choice. To accelerate ESG progress and foster collaboration, the Hong Kong Retail Management Association (HKRMA), the Faculty of Social Sciences (FOSS) at The University of Hong Kong (HKU), and the Centre for Civil Society and Governance, HKU, co-hosted the Sustainability Sharing Seminar on 21 October 2025. The event convened over 60 sustainability practitioners from 26 leading corporations, SMEs, and non-profit organizations across the retail value chain, providing a dynamic platform for industry dialogue, knowledge exchange, and cross-sector collaboration to advance ESG transformation in Hong Kong’s retail industry.   A Glimpse of Corporate Insights Six esteemed speakers shared their sustainability journeys, offering diverse insights from across the retail landscape. Jane Tong (Giormani), Miko Cheung (LAWSGROUP), Ophelia Lin (Meiriki Japan), Kim Siu (Watsons Water), and Joyce Chiu (Café de Coral) discussed how their companies are weaving sustainability into their strategic DNA. Their approaches emphasize building resilient, future-ready business models that address evolving ESG reporting requirements, growing demand for supply chain transparency, and shifting consumer expectations. Highlights of their strategies include: Championing repair, refurbishment and upcycling to extend product lifespan, promote resource circularity, create new revenue streams, and enhance customer loyalty; Adopting eco-friendly materials and minimalist packaging to reduce waste while ensuring product protection; Integrating employee wellbeing initiatives to boost productivity and support sustainable organisational growth; Fostering youth entrepreneurship and innovation for broader societal impact; Communicating compelling sustainability narratives to stakeholders—including senior management, suppliers, and employees—to align strategic vision, shared purpose, and mutual benefits to galvanise collective action.   Complementing these industry perspectives, Elsa Lam from the FOSS’ Experiential Learning Team provided an academic viewpoint on talent development. She underscored the transformative power of experiential learning to bridge knowledge gaps, cultivate critical skills, and prepare the next generation of sustainability leaders—illustrating the vital synergy between academia and industry in advancing ESG capacity.   Panel Discussion: Key Takeaways The panel discussion distilled several actionable insights: Governance from the Inside Out: Robust governance is fundamental to sustainable success, requiring cross-departmental collaboration and active staff engagement. ESG as Corporate DNA: Sustainability must be embedded in company values, operations, and culture, not treated as an add-on. Purpose-driven management is essential, aligning actions with the company’s mission and addressing broader societal challenges. Commercialising Sustainability: Aligning sustainable practices with market needs transforms environmental and social responsibility into business advantage. Companies can build strong brands, enhance efficiency, and develop circular products and services for new revenue streams and competitive edge. Two-Way Talent Development: Mutual learning between managers and interns fosters a vibrant sustainability culture. Internships serve as practical training for emerging talent, while managers benefit from fresh perspectives, driving innovation and engagement.   Looking Ahead The seminar concluded with renewed optimism and commitment to translating ESG ambitions into impactful action. As Hong Kong’s retail sector advances its sustainability journey, continued collaboration between industry and academia will be essential for fostering a greener, more resilient future.   References: KPMG. (2024). Navigating the future of seamless commerce in Asia Pacific. https://assets.kpmg.com/content/dam/kpmgsites/xx/pdf/2024/06/navigating-the-future-of-seamless-commerce-in-asia-pacific.pdf

Under the Jockey Club Collaborative Project for Inclusive Employment, the Centre for Civil Society and Governance are pleased to get involved in formulating the assessment criteria of Diverse Abilities · Inclusive Workplace Recognition Scheme and “Caring Employer” Medal as announced in the Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address. Held on 10 October 2025, the presentation ceremony successfully concluded the Medal. It was a privilege for our team to contribute to the vetting process and celebrate this key advancement in disability inclusion in Hong Kong. Read More

The discussion forum was successfully held on 30th August 2025 at The University of Hong Kong, bringing together over 120 young talents from AmCham’s Future Leaders Program, as well as students and graduates from HKU’s MSocSc Sustainability Leadership and Governance programme to learn from sustainability experts and business professionals the driving factors as well as challenges in attaining meaningful and lasting sustainability change. The event began with welcoming remarks from Dr. Winnie Law, Deputy Director of the Centre for Civil Society and Governance, The University of Hong Kong, and Ms. Queenie Tsui, Director of Corporate Affairs, American Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong. Expert Sharing session Ms. Ellie Tang (Director, Sustainable Investing, Fidelity International), Mr. Carrel Kam (Director, Yung Kee Restaurant Group Ltd), and Ms. Melanie Kwok (Deputy General Manager, Sustainability & Innovation, Sino Group) showcased inspiring examples of corporate sustainability in diverse areas, including investment, retail, and property development. Their presentations highlighted unique approaches and best practices from their respective industries, sparking lively discussion and engagement among attendees. Key takeaways from the speakers: Investors are well-positioned to play strategic roles in shaping a more sustainable economy and society The potential for SMEs to turn constraints into possibilities through taking action in phases, developing partnerships and integrating different aspects of sustainability (from health and safety, culture and heritage to environmental impact) The importance of partnerships and interdisciplinary problem-solving for sustainability across companies and functional roles Panel discussion and Q&A The panel discussion and Q&A session saw enthusiastic participation, reflecting the audience’s strong interest and engagement in the topics of sustainability and business leadership. The speakers exchanged diverse perspectives and shared personal experiences on advancing sustainability within their respective fields. The event concluded with a motivating speech by Dr. Vivian Chu, Co-Director of the MSocSc Sustainability Leadership and Governance Programme & Lecturer at the Centre for Civil Society and Governance, The University of Hong Kong, giving thanks to our generous speakers for enlightening us with their valuable insights. Looking forward to future collaborations with AmCham and another fruitful academic year for SLGP!

On 30 August 2025, the Centre for Civil Society and Governance hosted an engaging orientation at Bijas— a vegetarian restaurant on campus that adheres to inclusive employment and food waste reduction—to welcome the 2025-26 cohort of the MSocSc in Sustainability Leadership & Governance (SLG) programme. This event served as a valuable opportunity for incoming students to connect with their classmates and teachers, and gain essential information to prepare for their academic journey. The orientation began with a comprehensive introduction to the SLG programme, delivered by Dr. Vivian Chu and Dr. Winnie Law, Co-Directors of the MSocSc in Sustainability Leadership & Governance Programme. Dr. Chu emphasized the programme’s unique and dynamic curriculum, which is regularly updated to reflect the latest trends in sustainability leadership and governance. Ms. Kristy Peck from the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP) offered students a description of the resources and opportunities available through the network and the value of signing up as student members. This was followed by Mr. Cliff Cheng, Executive Director of the International Association for Sustainable Economy (IASE), introduced the IASE and the International Sustainable Business (ISB®) Qualification Program. Mr. Cheng explained how the collaboration between the University and IASE enables students to obtain ISB I – Advisor Level certificate by completing SLGP, further enhancing their professional prospects in sustainability. Adjunct Professors and lecturers of the programme—including Professor Agnes K Y Tai, Professor Jeanne Ng, and Dr. Jessica Williams— had engaging conversations with students and invited students to reach out to them with questions on their courses. The event concluded by inviting interested students to take the initiative in forming a more systematic SLGP alumni group, with the vision of establishing a formal SLGP alumni association in the future. Overall, we hope to foster stronger connections among current students and alumni, encouraging ongoing engagement, knowledge sharing, and mutual support within the SLGP community. For those of you who missed the orientation, you may find the orientation materials in this Moodle post: https://moodle.hku.hk/course/section.php?id=1526536. For more details about our MSocSc Sustainability Leadership and Governance programme (SLGP), please visit https://ccsg.hku.hk/slgp/.      

As one of the founding members of the Asia-Pacific Higher Education Network for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage (APHEN-ICH), we are pleased to have attended the network’s International Field School hosted by the Mongolian National University of Arts and Culture (MNUAC) in partnership with ICHCAP and the APHEN-ICH Secretariat between 21-26 August 2025. Mongolian Nomadic Culture and its Management The Mongolian nomadic culture is deeply rooted in an intimate relationship with nature—traditionally, worshippers of Heaven, Sky and Earth, their beliefs are rooted in interdependence, as well as deep respect and protection for the land.  Their beliefs form an essential part of Mongolia’s intangible cultural heritage, including traditional practices and art form, such as songs, rituals and festivals. As part of the decentralised regional development policy of Mongolia, the Mongolia National Centre for Cultural Heritage identifies and leverages unique characteristics of each region to support and coordinate diversified development, cooperation and specialisation.  This allows a sense of uniqueness among different regions while pursuing a holistic regional vision. Reflecting on Hong Kong’s Rural Revitalisation️ Dr. Jessica Williams and Dr. Vivian Chu presented their work on “Rural Revitalisation: Collaborative Governance for Harnessing Cultural Heritage”.  CCSG advocates for a more holistic village cluster approach in rural revitalisation.  Having started our revitalisation efforts in Lai Chi Wo, we extended them to Mui Tsz Lam and Kop Tong, where our projects focus on identifying and building on natural and cultural assets of each village.  The effect is that the facilities, activities and resources offered by the villages can complement one another and collectively more value is generated for society.  This sparked lively discussion amongst the participants regarding policies and strategies to build more supportive environments for ICH transmission.

The Jockey Club Collaborative Project for Inclusive Employment Launching Ceremony cum Market Fair 2025 will be composed of Project Launching Ceremony, Market Booth Fair, Interactive Workshops, Thematic Exhibition, Inclusive Performance and Sharing Sessions. It aims to serve as an essential platform, for members from all walks of life to discover and learn about the potential and values of PWD in different aspects, to exchange knowledge and lessons, as well as to facilitate dialogues, collaborations and partnerships in order to create more opportunities for PWD, foster the development of inclusive employment and make Hong Kong a more inclusive and sustainable society. Date and Time: 2 May 2025 (Friday)        1p.m. – 7p.m. 3 May 2025 (Saturday)  11a.m. – 7p.m. 4 May 2025 (Sunday)     11a.m. – 7p.m. Venue: Atrium, L1, D PARK, Tsuen Wan Fee:  Free Click HERE to register