The 14th ESD Learning Programme (2025/26) Opening Ceremony Successfully Held
Students Embark on a Cross-Disciplinary Exploration Journey, Responding to Global Sustainable Development Initiatives
On November 8th, 2025, the 14th ESD Learning Programme (2025/26) Opening Ceremony was Successfully Held, Students from nearly 20 Hong Kong primary and secondary schools gathered to officially commence a five-month exploration journey centred around the theme of sustainable development. The ESD Learning Programme is organised by the UNESCO Hong Kong Association, co-organised by the Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development and The Education University of Hong Kong, with the mission of “Nurturing Future Leaders, Join Hands to Advance the Sustainable Development Goals”. Through diverse experiential learning and project-based research activities, and with the guidance of programme directors and youth mentors, students will expand their innovative thinking, enhance comprehensive problem-solving skills through cross-disciplinary learning and practice, and become proactive constructor of a sustainable future.
Transforming Knowledge into Action through Practical Exploration
Professor Karen Cheung, President of the UNESCO Hong Kong Association and Director of the Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development, emphasised that the programme responds to the UN “ESD for 2030: A Roadmap”, aiming to cultivate eight key interdisciplinary competencies in students, including collaboration, planning, anticipatory, normative thinking, critical thinking, self-awareness, systems thinking, and integrated problem-solving. Through “experiential learning” and “project-based research”, students are encouraged to step outside the classroom, focus on real-world exploration, strengthen their observational skills, and learn to apply knowledge into tangible actions.
This year’s programme features themes that integrate both international perspectives and local relevance, helping students understand that sustainable development is not an isolated effort by a single region or country, but a collective global action. The secondary school group themes include:
- Marine Conservation, aligning with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development;
- Heritage Conservation, reflecting the spirit of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention;
- Gender Equality, guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goal 5.
The primary school group focuses on the theme “Respect for Life, Building a Sustainable Future”, encouraging students to develop care for society and the environment from a young age.
Guidance from Experts, Mentorship from Youth
The programme invited three Honourable Programme Directors to deliver thematic lectures, including:
- Professor Alvin Yip, Adjunct Professor of Architecture, and Director of the Indra and Harry Banga Gallery—the principal Art-Tech exhibition platform at City University of Hong Kong;
- Mr. Elvis Wong, representing the Coral Academy team (on behalf of Dr. Apple Chui, Research Assistant Professor at the School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Founder of Coral Academy);
- Dr. Anita Chan, Associate Professor at the Department of Social Sciences at The Education University of Hong Kong.
Additionally, 20 UNESCO Hong Kong Association Green Citizens Youth Ambassadors will accompany students throughout the programme, igniting their passion for learning through workshops, interactive games, and guidance.
Special Appreciation:
The UNESCO Hong Kong Association appreciates Plan International Hong Kong for their continued partnership in organising activities on the topic of gender equality and girls’ rights. Special recognition is also given to the Hong Kong Polytechnic University College of Professional and Continuing Education for providing venue support, and the 13 member schools for their ongoing participation in projects and activities under the UNESCO Hong Kong Association Member Schools Network.
👉 Programme Details: https://unesco.hk/web/esd-learning-programme-2025-26/
Comments are closed