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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Media

Ethics in Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research for the Asia Pacific Roundtable

On September 10, 2021 (Friday), Facebook and the Centre for Civil Society and Governance (CCSG) of The University of Hong Kong hosted the Ethics in Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research Initiative for the Asia Pacific Roundtable. Over 100 experts, practitioners, and academia in the field of ethical use of AI have registered to attend. The Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (Privacy Commissioner), Hong Kong, Ms Ada CHUNG Lai-ling, delivered the Keynote Address to open the Roundtable. In her speech, the Privacy Commissioner discussed the governance of artificial intelligence (AI) and elaborated on the “Guidance on the Ethical Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence” recently published by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD). Presenters, who are the awardees of the Request for Proposals for AI ethics research in the Asia Pacific region, shared their research progress, initial findings ,and lessons learnt to the international audience. Several rounds of fruitful discussion were conducted after the presentations moderated by members of the Vetting Committee and experts from the field who served as discussants. Session moderators and discussants offered invaluable and constructive feedback to the awardees. Early impact of the research works was highlighted in the discussions. The Roundtable was a success and all participants enjoyed the knowledge-sharing and exchange. New connections and networks were established between those who participated and are committed to contribute to the development of the ethical use of AI-driven technology. It is the shared goal of Facebook and CCSG to promote and support the work on using technology for social good, and these institutions are set to announce future collaborative initiatives soon.

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Media

Organic coffee grown and roasted in Hong Kong the fruit of a sustainable farming project in roadless corner of New Territories

(Copyright © 2021 South China Morning Post)

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Event

Social Innovations for Sustainable Communities – Cohort 2 is NOW open

The incubation and funding scheme (Cohort 2) of the Social Innovations for Sustainable Communities is now open for application till 28 June 2021. Besides interactive excursions to learn about different social innovation projects and community works, our Learning Programme aims to facilitate you to transform into sustainability catalysers. You will also get a chance to win a seed grant for putting your ideas into actions!

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Event

Different Paths to Sustainability: A Roundtable of UNESCO Award-winning Heritage Projects from Hong Kong

13:30 - 17:15

A total of 21 Hong Kong’s conservation projects has been awarded the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation since 2000. This Roundtable calls upon the awardees to review how they understand sustainability as the pathway to continue the conservation effort, and to reflect on their contribution to the building of a sustainable community since the receiving of the UNESCO award. Participating projects include: Award of Merit in 2007 – Little Hong Kong Award of Merit in 2013 – Tai O Heritage Hotel Award of Excellence in 2017 – The Blue House Cluster Award for New Design in Heritage Context in 2019 – The Mills Special Recognition for Sustainable Development in 2020 – Lai Chi Wo Rural Cultural Landscape Date｜June 26, 2021 Time｜13:30-17:15 Venue｜Atrium, The Mills Fabrica Format｜Join us at the venue (quota: 50) or via Zoom; Facebook live broadcast available Language｜Mainly Cantonese For registration and details, please visit us at https://ccsg.hku.hk/ruralsd/en/pages/academy/a-roundtable-of-unesco-award-winning-heritage-projects-from-hong-kong/?fbclid=IwAR0ZhxmvdbM0S2axBZSsE_C1IVNoC6Z-kqObFdzwTsWkCrVsoyNp32f5pyQ

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Event

Social Innovations for Sustainable Communities’ Learning Programme is re-launching!

Initiated by the Social Entrepreneurship and Civic Action Lab of the Centre for Civil Society and Governance at The University of Hong Kong, the “Social Innovations for Sustainable Communities” Programme (the Programme) aims to enrich and expand the frontier of the ecosystem for social entrepreneurship in Hong Kong with a view to preparing the community for meeting long-term local sustainability challenges, and crowdsourcing ideas and actions through incubating a corps of intergenerational “sustainability catalysers” consisting of young professionals and young old. The Programme connects different sectors for collective action to encourage re-thinking of how existing processes of resource allocation and utilization can be reconfigured to create new possibilities and blended values. The Programme is supported by Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited.   Apart from our incubation and funding scheme, our most popular Learning Programme series has invited numerous VIP speakers to have interactive dialogues with participants regarding the latest trend and happenings in the social innovation sector! We have included topics such as the latest trend of social innovation, how does the sector face challenges in the midst of challenging times, strategies for fund application, business modelling, design thinking, and blended values! You will undoubtedly be equipped as a social innovator after joining the Programme. Don’t miss the chance and join us now!   Programme Details: https://ccsg.hku.hk/sisc/incubation-lp.php#incubation-lp-cohort2 Application: https://ccsg-hku.surveycake.biz/s/NwVLL   Remark 1: Live streaming with limited face-to-face quotas on a first-come-first-served basis Remark 2: Learning Programme (3) Design Thinking in Action is themed “empathizing colour blinded people”. The session will be conducted face-to-face only

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Event

“Sustainability and the ‘New Normal’: Building Business Preparedness and Leveraging New Opportunities” Knowledge Primer

14:30 - 16:30

As ESG, Sustainable Investing and Business Sustainability are gaining momentum worldwide, what is the best way for businesses to progress from the global pandemic and build for a more resilient and sustainable growth? At the “Sustainability and the ‘New Normal’: Building Business Preparedness and Leveraging New Opportunities” Knowledge Primer, we bring together sustainability experts and industry practitioners to discuss how integrating ESG risks and opportunities into core business strategies can enhance their adaptiveness to the New Normal challenges, help attain long-term resilience in the value chains while contributing to a sustainable future. Join us on 11th June 2021 (14:30 – 16:30 GMT+8) for an eventful afternoon on Business Sustainability! Register here NOW: https://bit.ly/3uWfXKQ At the event, the programme also officially launches the Sustainable Value Chains (SVC) Commitment and SMEs Sustainability Leadership Recognition Scheme, which connect large corporates and SMEs and provide capacity building resources to co-create SVC in Hong Kong and the region.

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Event

The Future Belongs to You: Let’s make our Climate Actions count

10:30 - 00:00

The COP26 Summit will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The UK, in partnership with Italy, will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) this November in Glasgow. This represents a key moment globally to accelerate towards the Paris Agreement and a net-zero transition. The Centre for Civil Society and Governance and the School of Biological Sciences are pleased to invite Mrs. Tamsin Heath, Acting British Consul General to Hong Kong and Macao, and Mr. Clemente Contestabile, Consul General of Italy in Hong Kong, to talk about the goals that have been set out for COP26, how we move to a clean economy, and the role of young people in climate change action. Date 22 May 2021 (Saturday) Time 10:30am – 12nn Venue CPD-3.28, The Jockey Club Tower, Centennial Campus, The University of Hong Kong Format Face-to-face & Online streaming Speakers Mrs. Tamsin Heath (Acting British Consul General to Hong Kong and Macao) & Mr. Clemente Contestabile (Consul General of Italy in Hong Kong) Moderator Dr Terry Van Gevelt (Assistant Professor in Environmental Sustainability, Department of Politics and Public Administration, HKU) Language English Organisers HKU Centre for Civil Society and Governance and Master of Social Sciences in Corporate Environmental Governance Programme HKU School of Biological Sciences and Master of Science in Environmental Management Programme British Consulate-General Hong Kong Consulate General of Italy in Hong Kong

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Event

The International Association for the Study of the Commons (IASC) 2021: Urban Commons Virtual Conference

Commoning in the rural-urban interface Rapid urbanization has often taken place at the expense of rural resources and the communities in which these resources are embedded.  Urban development is often premised solely on generating economic returns, and is considered to be at loggerheads with the vibrancy of rural areas.  Rural ecological services, however, are important to sustainable cities; perhaps more importantly, the cultural heritage and social capital rooted in rural communities are a coherent part of a city’s identity.  How to manage and revitalize rural resources amid urbanization so as to attain a sustainable rural-urban interface is a major challenge for many big cities, particularly those in Asia.  To what extent a commoning approach can help manage and revitalize rural resources?  What are the opportunities and challenges for practicing commoning in the rural-urban interface? Convenor: Professor Wai-Fung Lam from the Centre for Civil Society and Governance at The University of Hong Kong Register to participate, or Submit your Abstract!

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Award and Achievement

Lai Chi Wo Rural Cultural Landscape wins UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation

We are thrilled to announce that our sustainable rural revitalisation project at Lai Chi Wo has been awarded the prestigious Special Recognition for Sustainable Development in the 2020 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. The project is built on HSBC Rural Sustainability Programme initiated since 2013 and implemented by the Centre for Civil Society and Governance with full support from the Lai Chi Wo Village and HSBC. The project is featured in the first line of UNESCO’s official award announcement. The Jury applauded the project’s pioneering approach to rural sustainability which “transforms notions of heritage practice from its conventional focus on material conservation to encompass living heritage in all its manifestations… the project demonstrates the importance of interweaving nature and cultural heritage in setting a new urban-rural sustainability agenda for Hong Kong SAR and beyond.” The UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation programme recognizes exemplary conservation efforts by individuals and organizations in the region. To acknowledge more prominently the contribution of cultural heritage to sustainable development within the framework of Agenda 2030, UNESCO in early 2020 introduced the new Special Recognition for Sustainable Development with an updated set of Awards Criteria to recognize outstanding conservation projects that have made significant contribution to sustainable development. The award is a due recognition of the collaborative efforts of many individuals and organizations who share a strong commitment to sustainability and are undaunted to act on the commitment. We proudly share the honour and joy with Hong Kong Countryside Foundation, The Conservancy Association, Produce Green Foundation, Mr. Wong Kam Sing, GBS, JP, and numerous volunteers and friends who have helped us get through many challenging times. Without the solid partnership, we would not have accomplished the seemingly impossible mission.

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