UN75 Dialogue
“Sustainable governance with trust and support”
The third Hong Kong’s UN 75th Dialogue jointly hosted by UNESCO Hong Kong Association (UHKA) and Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development (HiESD) on the theme of “Sustainable governance with trust and support” was held at 3:00 p.m on the 31st of May, 2020. The keynote speaker cum moderator was Ms. Elsie LEUNG, GBM, JP, the former Secretary for Justice. Invited guest speakers were Dr. Edward LEONG Che Hung, GBM, GBS, JP, the former Chairman of the Hospital Authority, and Dr. Herman HU Shao-ming, SBS, JP, the former President of Hong Kong Professionals and Senior Executives Association. The hosting organization person in charge, Prof. Karen CHEUNG thanked the UN Academic Impact for offering this opportunity to share HK’s regional story with every global citizen.
Moderators and Guest Speakers at the Online Discussion
The organizer of the Dialogue, Prof. Karen CHEUNG (Acting President of UNESCO Hong Kong Association and Director of Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development), shared with the audience the anthem video for UN 75 Dialogue created by the UN — “What we do now will echo throughout history”. The video showed the power of the world coming together and taking steps to build back better and stronger. This message has never been more important as we fight an invisible common enemy and emerge stronger and more connected from a global crisis. We would be facing more changes and challenges; thus, it was crucial for us to collaborate and shape our future together.
After the anthem video, Dr. Edward LEONG firstly addressed governance from his experience on SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and COVID 19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019). He discovered that effective leadership, trust and confidence in government, rational decisions, compliance promotion among the public, and the self-motivation of the public paved way for successful governance. The swift and decisive administrative actions imposed on outbreak of SARS at Hong Kong in 2003 was conducive to the disease subdued rapidly. A concluding sentence of ‘make hay while the sun shines’ intriguingly enlightened the participants.
Dr. Herman HU elaborated his views under the topic of turning a new page. The unique and competitive strengths are various and sundry, such as the largest offshore Renminbi clearing center, the world’s freest economy for the 25th consecutive year in 2019, the third international financial center and a renowned international aviation hub. Hong Kong future success rode on golden opportunities from the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. To overcome the challenges like land supply, soaring demand of public services from aging population and flawed education, we would still strive for our excellence. The legitimate and proper utilization of social media greatly assisted the development of a society and fake information did more harm than good. National Security Law for HK was essential, which it would restore peace and the stability of HK and solidify the “one country, two systems” principle. It was never too late to mend and we could make Hong Kong a better place.
Miss Elsie LEUNG addressed the issue by first looking at the birth of UN 75 years ago, which were at a fragile cross point, after two world wars and facing a Cold War. UN has committed to upholding human rights and fostering solidarity of all people. To make a better world, we had to sustain cooperatively. The sustainability of governance depended on an acceptable constitutional order. The concept of ‘One Country, Two Systems’ was at all times and is accepted by the majority of the people in Hong Kong as the best solution for the reunification of Hong Kong with China. With a stable constitutional structure, Hong Kong achieved a seamless transition; prosperity, stability & capitalist system maintained; lifestyle unchanged – fundamental rights and freedoms protected; Rule of Law robust, judicial independence maintained; gradual democratic development; and external affairs developed and expanded. Trust and support was necessary for sustainable governance. Full confidence by the trust and support of citizens, united under the banner of One Country, Two Systems, we shall survive the challenges facing Hong Kong and come out stronger than before.
In response to the UN 75 dialogue, the speakers have reiterated UN’s leading role in encouraging a harmonized society. They have also pointed out the importance of utilizing opportunities from the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong- Macao Greater Bay Area, as well as making prudent use of Social Media with support from the UN to provide guidelines and regulations for Proper social media usage in order to reach a stable constitutional structure.
Prof Karen CHEUNG (first left), takes group photo with Dialogue Guests Miss Elsie LEUNG (second left), Dr. Herman HU (first right) and Dr Edward LEONG (second right )
Event Highlights
Full recording
The viewers of the online dialogue were from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Australia, Mainland China and Hong Kong.
Speakers and Resources
- Dr. Elsie LEUNG, GBM, JP
- Dr. HU Shao Ming Herman
- Dr Edward LEONG, GBM, GBS,JP
Dr. HU Shao Ming Herman
Dr. HU Shao Ming Herman is the Chairman of Ryoden Development Limited, a property development and direct investment group in Hong Kong and China.
Dr. Hu brings with him a wealth of industrial and public service leadership experience. He was a City University of Hong Kong Council Member for eight years (2004-2011) and was appointed Council Chairman from 2012 to 2017. He is a Deputy of the 12th/ 13th National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China. He also serves as Vice President of Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, Vice-Chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of Hong Kong Trade Development Council Infrastructure Development Advisory Committee, Independent Non-Executive Director of i-CABLE Communications Limited, Past President of Hong Kong Professionals and Senior Executives Association, Chief Honorary Chairman of Belt and Road Pioneer, etc.
Dr Edward LEONG, GBM, GBS,JP
Former Chairman of the Hospital Authority
News Publications & After-event Reports
Host Background information
The Hong Kong UNESCO Association (UHKA) is committed to supporting, promoting and realizing the core mission of UNESCO, creating conditions for dialogue among different civilizations, cultures and nations on the basis of respecting common values, and achieving A global vision for sustainable development. UHKA is a registered charity in Hong Kong. Through education, science and culture, it strives to promote sustainable development and promote international exchanges.
The Hong Kong Institute of Sustainable Development Education (HiESD) is an interdisciplinary research-based innovative application college featuring interdisciplinary research and project application and training with the main purpose of promoting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the implementing agency of the United Nations Global Action Plan for Sustainable Development Education (GAP), expert partners and service providers of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) (registration number: 12958), the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and the Sustainable Development Goals Collaborative Partner (Registration Number: 26908). The Institute provides basic education, higher education, and continuing education through forums, special training, professional courses, professional certification, special projects, exchange visits, and research camp learning. This continuous development of a lifelong learning system assists companies and organizations to implement and achieve sustainable development goals at all stages.
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