Hong Kong Youth Bringing Fresh Energy to Sustainable Development in Celebration of the United Nations International Youth Day
The 2025-26 UNESCO Hong Kong Association Green Citizens Youth Ambassador Induction and Certificate Presentation Ceremony was Successfully Held
In response of the upcoming United Nations International Youth Day (August 12), the UNESCO Hong Kong Association (UHKA) held the “2025-26 Green Citizens Youth Ambassador (GCYA) Induction and Certificate Presentation Ceremony” on August 9, bringing new energy and opportunities to the youth team to foster cross-disciplinary collaborations and advance sustainable development goals at international, national, and regional levels.
Professor Karen Cheung, President of the UNESCO Hong Kong Association and Director of the Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development, delivered the welcome speech. She emphasised, “Youth are not only key participants in today’s society but also the decision-makers of the future. UHKA’s GCYA program is dedicated to empowering youth, transforming innovative ideas into action, which aligns with the theme of the 2025 United Nations International Youth Day: “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond.'” She presented certificates to the 2025-26 youth ambassadors and encouraged them to leverage their influence as young leaders and become a driving force in accelerating sustainable change.
Publication of the “Youth Prospect on Smart Sustainable Cities”
Reflecting on the 2024-25 term, the UHKA GCYA theme of the year was “Youth for Sustainable Cities and Communities”. The association organised a wide variety of activities, including the field visit to Queen’s Hill Estate with Mr. Tai Sheung-shing, Deputy Director of Housing, to explore sustainable community revitalisation; participation in the 2024 Youth for UNESCO Conference in the Philippines to learn about sustainable ecotourism development; and a heritage conservation tour of Tai O with Mr. Raymond Chan, former Project Manager (Heritage Conservation) of the Development Bureau’s Heritage Conservation Office. These experiences inspired GCYA members to engage in comprehensive reflection on the topic of sustainable community.
The theme of the “2025 Secondary School Model UNESCO International Conference” was also “Smart Sustainable Cities.” Youth ambassadors took on chair committee roles in the conference, actively guiding the discussions and summarising the insights from young local and international delegates. On the special occasion of the United Nations International Youth Day, we are pleased to publish the Youth Prospect on Smart Sustainable Cities, which consolidates the collective ideas of students from secondary schools to universities and young professionals to propose innovative solutions for local and global challenges.
Fostering Youth-Industry Exchange: Visit to ‘Know Carbon House’ with Certified Sustainable Development Planners
This year, the UHKA invited Certified Sustainable Development Planners (CSDP) from the World Institute of Sustainable Development Planners (WISDP) to join the GCYA on a visit to Hong Kong’s first carbon education themed “Know Carbon House.” Formerly the century-old Wan Chai Post Office, and a declared monument in Hong Kong, the site has been revitalized to preserve its historical elements while integrating interactive carbon reduction exhibits and workshops. This experience enabled GCYAs and CSDPs to explore practical approaches to promoting “carbon neutrality” education.
Looking ahead to the new term, the UHKA hopes the youth ambassadors will harness their ability to communicate, innovate, and act, encouraging more young people to actively engage in sustainable development. Through international exchanges, advocacy, and other activities, they will demonstrate global vision and a sense of youth responsibility, collectively driving the advancement of sustainable development goals.
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