Happenings

Our Highlight
Event
“Celebrating Traditional Wisdom Through Art” Exhibition – Can contemporary art bring new imaginations into centuries-old village traditions?

A new exhibition, “Celebrating Traditional Wisdom Through Art,” will be hosted at the iconic Fringe Club in Central this June. This unique exhibition showcases how sustainability, cultural heritage, and creative expression come together. Since late last year, our Centre has been working with a group of emerging artists where they embarked on an incubation journey […]

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Event
A Dialogue on Building Resilient Urban-Rural Partnerships

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 […]

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Event
Network for the Study of Social Ecological Systems (SES) Transformation – Network launch

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, […]

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Award and Achievement
Congratulations to Dr. Vivian Chu on the Early Career Teaching Award 2025

We are delighted to announce that Dr. Vivian Chu, Lecturer at the Centre for Civil Society and Governance, Faculty of Social Sciences and Programme Co-Director of Master of Social Sciences in Sustainability Leadership and Governance, has been awarded the Early Career Teaching Award at HKU’s Excellence Awards Presentation Ceremony. The award recognises her unwavering commitment […]

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Event
Empowering Inclusive Sports through Cross-Sector Collaboration: Brining VR Cycling into Rehabilitation Services

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 […]

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Event
Building a Vibrant Social Enterprise Ecosystem: Insights from the “ESG Social Contribution Award”

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 […]

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Event
Searching for the Sustainability Purposes of Business—an Inspiring Case for the Textile and Apparel Industry

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 […]

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Event
Hong Kong Inclusion Summit 2026

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 […]

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Event

Social Innovation in Business for Good Causes

15:30 - 17:30

Social entrepreneurship is one of the most effective approaches to resolving social problems and creating social impacts. In this session, our honorable guests will share how their business and operation achieve their vision and social missions through business innovations. Date: 29 July 2022 (Friday) Time: 15:30 – 17:30 Mode: Online Language: Cantonese supplemented with sign language   Guest Speakers: Mr John TSANG, GBM, JP (Founder, Esperanza/Advisor Committee, StashAway/Senior Advisor, Bowtie) Mr George Chen (Managing Director, Public Policy, Meta (Facebook)) Ms Kitty Yip (Founder, Addoilmusic)   Moderator: Professor Wai-fung Lam (Director, Centre for Civil Society and Governance, HKU)   Register Now!

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Event

AIRI Urban-Rural Sustainability Fellowship 2022-23 Taster Events on Socio-ecological Landscape Planning and Management

AIRI Urban-Rural Sustainability Fellowship 2022-23 is a one-year incubation programme jointly organised by The University of Hong Kong, Tsinghua University, National Chengchi University, and Asian Institute of Technology. The Fellowship aims to empower and connect thought leaders and exceptional practitioners from across the Asia-Pacific region who aspire to be Change Fellows spearheading urban-rural integration and rural sustainability. Change Fellows who have successfully completed the programme will earn a Certificate of Recognition jointly issued by the four universities. They will also be eligible to enter into a competition with innovative proposals that address rural sustainability challenges. There will be a total of four awards (one laureate from Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Thailand respectively), each with a seed grant at the value of US$25,000. Event 1: Online Workshop on Integrated Nature-Culture Approaches to Rural Sustainability Date: July 23, 2022 (Saturday) Time: 14:30-16:15 (Hong Kong Time) Format: Zoom Language: English Contents: – Introduction to AIRI Fellowship Programme 2022-23 – Lecture: Sustainable Management of Socio-ecological Production Landscapes – Exercise: Re-establishing Socio-ecological Integrity of a Rural Community – Fellowship Scheme Application Instructions Trainers: – Mr Bruno Leles, Partnerships Associate, Secretariat of the International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative – Ms Katie Chick, Assistant Director, Centre for Civil Society and Governance, The University of Hong Kong Fee: Free of charge Enquiry: 3917-1255 / ruralsd@hku.hk Registration: Click here   Event 2: Visit to Lai Chi Wo, Mui Tsz Lam & Kop Tong on Rural Planning and Management Date: August 13, 2022 (Saturday) Time: 09:00-17:30 (Hong Kong Time) Format: Site visit Language: Cantonese supplemented with English Contents: – Introduction to AIRI Fellowship Programme 2022-23 – Guided Tour in Lai Chi Wo: The intact South China feng-shui village landscape of Lai Chi Wo and socio-economic strategies to revitalise the Lai Chi Wo cultural landscape – Site Visit to Mui Tsz Lam and Kop Tong: Planning and design challenges and opportunities for local forest villages – Fellowship Scheme Application Instructions (Round boat trip between Ma Liu Shui and Lai Chi Wo will be arranged.) Trainers: – Ms Katie Chick, Assistant Director, Centre for Civil Society and Governance, The University of Hong Kong – Mr Ryan Leung, Senior Project Officer, Centre for Civil Society and Governance, The University of Hong Kong Fee: Free of charge Quota: 20 Enquiry: 3917-1255 / ruralsd@hku.hk Registration: Click here

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Event

Discussion Forum on Urban-rural Partnership for Sustainability

14:00 - 16:30

Bridging urban and rural communities for sustainability attainment is one of the key objectives of the Rural Sustainability Programme initiated by the Centre for Civil Society and Governance at The University of Hong Kong. Under the Programme, two incubation schemes were developed to mobilize and empower change agents from the wider community to collaborate and partner towards rural sustainability. The “Co-creation of the Community Scheme” aims to explore and experiment new ways of safeguarding and promoting the natural and rural capital; and the “Rural in Action Start-up Scheme” seeks to nurture innovative business models for rural vibrancy. The two schemes have supported 7 and 10 projects, respectively. This Discussion Forum invites representatives of projects of the above-mentioned schemes to share their experience in four critical action areas for urban-rural integration. The representatives will reflect on lessons learnt and identify success factors for building a sustainable community through urban-rural partnership. The event will be conducted in Cantonese.

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Award and Achievement

Meta AR/VR Policy Research Request for Proposals for the Asia Pacific Region

We develop technology rooted in human connection that brings people together. As we focus on helping to build the next computing platform, our work across augmented and virtual reality and consumer hardware will deepen that human connection regardless of physical distance and without being tied to devices. The “metaverse” is a set of virtual spaces where you can create and explore with other people who aren’t in the same physical space as you. You’ll be able to hang out with friends, work, play, learn, shop, create and more. It’s not necessarily about spending more time online — it’s about making the time you do spend online more meaningful. The metaverse isn’t a single product one company can build alone. And it won’t be built overnight. Many of these products will only be fully realized in the next 10-15 years, and gives us time to ask the difficult questions about how they should be built. The Centre for Civil Society and Governance of The University of Hong Kong, in partnership with Meta, would like to work with the academic community in the Asia Pacific region to develop solutions-focused research to identify positive approaches in thinking through policy issues, challenges, and opportunities in the metaverse and augmented and virtual reality. The Research Initiative, through a Request for Proposals (RFP), will result in the production of papers from academic institutions, think tanks, and research organizations registered and operational across the Asia Pacific region. Proposals will be reviewed by a selection committee, and the entities whose proposals are selected will receive a research grant.

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Event

Regional Roundtable on Rural Sustainability – critical issues in Asia

14:00 - 17:00

“Rural Sustainability Programme – APAC Initiative for Regional Impact” (AIRI) held its first regional roundtable on June 25, 2022 under the topic “Rural Sustainability – Critical Issues in Asia”. Academics and practitioners from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mainland China, and Thailand delivered thematic presentations on collaborative governance, rural-based economy, sustainable agriculture, and decentralisation of decision-making in rural resources, sharing local case studies of models and experiences on rural revitalisation and sustainability. The discussion session examined how to scale up innovative rural revitalisation projects to drive a bigger impact. The roundtable recording is now uploaded to https://ccsg.hku.hk/airi/regional-roundtable This event marks the official start of the “Rural Sustainability Programme – APAC Initiative for Regional Impact” (AIRI). To create action momentum for long-lasting rural sustainability in Asia-Pacific, AIRI focuses on establishing a regional infrastructure and capacity building among those keen stakeholders and change fellows, including university intermediaries, local and international for-benefit institutions and individual individuals talents.

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Event

Sustainable Campsite Design Hackathon

Centre for Civil Society and Governance is organizing a “Sustainable Campsite Design Hackathon” together with the Division of Landscape Architecture, HKU between May and June 2022. The Hackathon provides an opportunity for idea jamming, exchange of perspectives, and collaborations among individuals and parties from different sectors and backgrounds with the aim to design a sustainable campsite and wilderness experience using the concept of “Øscape” as a framework. The first stage of the Hackathon has been completed and the prototypes of the campsite design have been created through the concerted effort of the participants. Nature lovers, campers and professionals from different backgrounds are welcome to join the “Wild Factor Workshops” of the next stage to comment on the prototype designs, propose alternative ideas to tackle the problems faced by the campsite, and connect the professional knowledge, techniques and suggestions from various sectors to further improve the campsite design.   Wild Factor Workshop 1 Date: 11/6/2022(Sat) Time: 9:00-17:00 Venue: Mui Tsz Lam (Sha Tau Kok)   Wild Factor Workshop 2 Date: 12/6/2022(Sun) Time: 10:00-13:00 Venue: Cheung Sha Wan (Kowloon)   Details and registration: https://ccsg-hku.surveycake.biz/s/7Rwlq * The “Sustainable Campsite Design Hackathon” will be conducted in Cantonese.

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Event

Social Innovation Incubation Programme for Inclusive Employment 2022

The Jockey Club Collaborative Project for Inclusive Employment is launching the “Social Innovation Incubation Programme for Inclusive Employment” between June and November this year. We would like to invite different community actors and organizations who are passionate about facilitating inclusive employment for people with disabilities to participate in our Programme. Through the Programme participants can enhance their understanding for employment and service channels currently available to people with intellectual disabilities, as well as interact with relevant stakeholders, to expand their resources and network on the topic and therefore generate innovative and influential proposals contributing to inclusive employment. Programme details are as follow: Theme: Facilitation of Employment for People with Intellectual Disabilities Target Participants: Business executives, NGO managers, community actors, students, and members of the public who are interested in the cause of social inclusion Content: Inclusive Employment Experiential Series（June – July）  To understand the career needs of people with intellectual disabilities, and to understand currently available services and potential opportunities provided by schools, welfare departments, self-help groups and corporates.   Design Thinking Workshop (August) Ideation of services / projects promoting employment for people with intellectual disabilities through design thinking.   Idea Development (September) Participants will submit their innovative proposals for screening, in which the organizer will choose the ones with the most development potentials for the next stage   Pitching Activities (October – November) The organizer will invite a team of consultants to provide consultation and resource-matching opportunities for the shortlisted proposals   Deadline: June 10, 2022 (Friday), 12:00NN   Click here to join the Programme.  

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Event

Let’s Revision a More Inclusive Society!

14:30 - 16:30

We have conducted a Diagnostic Study on Inclusive Employment in Hong Kong. The findings of this Study will be released at the Forum on “Revisioning Inclusive Employment”. Stakeholders and the general public are invited to attend the Forum and subsequent seminars to re-envision a more inclusive Hong Kong.   “Inclusive Employment of People with Disabilities in Hong Kong 2021: A Diagnostic Study” cum “Revisioning Inclusive Employment” Forum   Date: 13 May 2022 (Friday) Time: 14:30 – 16:30 Mode: Zoom Language: Cantonese supplemented with sign language Guest Speakers: Mr Chua Hoi Wai (Chief Executive, The Hong Kong Council of Social Service) Mr Shum Lap Ping (Principal, Fortress Hill Methodist Secondary School) Ms Peann Tam (Business Development Director, Eco-Greenergy) Mr Jacob Tsang (Co-Founder, One SEN) There will also be sharing by a person with disability “Revisioning Inclusive Employment” Seminar Session 1 Changing with the Times: Delivering Vocational Training to Meet Market Needs Session 2 Innovating to Enhance Support for Caregivers Session 3 Creating Possibilities through Interactions of Cross-disability Groups Session 4 Building Networks: Enhancing Cross-disciplinary Collaboration for Rehabilitation Session 5 Collective Action: Power of Individual Consumption & Social Purchasing Register Now  

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Event

Thematic Networking Session – A Journey to Scale-Up Social Innovation

17:00 - 18:00

There are several seed fund schemes and other resources to support local social innovations. Social innovators may stop at sustaining and expanding social innovation after they start their social entrepreneurial journeys. If you want to know more about the transformation of the three social entrepreneurs. Don’t miss the chance! Date: March 11, 2022 (Friday) Time: 17:00 – 18:00 Format: Zoom Language: Cantonese supplemented with English Guest： Mr Alvin Cheung (Co-Founder & CEO, HandyRehab, Zunosaki Limited) Mr James Chong (Founder of Rolling Books) Ms Eva Wong (Co-founder of WEDO GLOBAL) Sign up now!

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