From Daily Details to Global Impact: Hong Kong Youth Innovate for a Sustainable Future
UHKA Green Citizens Youth Ambassadors 2026/27 Induction and Certification Ceremony Inspires Youth Innovation in Celebration of International Youth Day
📍In celebration of the upcoming United Nations International Youth Day (August 12), the UNESCO Hong Kong Association (UHKA) held its “2026-27 Green Citizens Youth Ambassador (GCYA) Induction and Certificate Presentation Ceremony” on August 8, welcoming a new cohort of young people committed to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals at the international, national, and local levels.
🎤 Professor Karen Cheung, President of the UNESCO Hong Kong Association and Director of the Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development, delivered a compelling welcome address. She drew attention to a key finding from the UNESCO 2026 Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Youth Report, which reveals a persistent gap in youth participation in education decision-making. “This is not merely a statistic—it is a call to action,” Professor Cheung stated. “The UHKA GCYA program is dedicated to nurturing your potential and transforming your innovative ideas into tangible actions. You are not just participants in today’s society; you are the architects of tomorrow.”
📢 Following her remarks, Americana Chen, Student and Youth Affairs Coordinator of UNESCO HKA, read the official message from United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres for International Youth Day 2026. The message echoed this year’s theme—”Different Contexts, Common Aspirations”—highlighting that despite the diverse realities young people face across the globe, they share a universal desire for dignity, meaningful participation, and the opportunity to shape their own futures.
🏆 The ceremony also featured an introduction to the GCYA program and its organizing bodies, a review of past activities, and the presentation of awards for the 2025-26 term. Hugo Liu received the Gold Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution of over 200 engagement hours. Collectively, the youth ambassadors dedicated more than 1,000 hours throughout the past year to initiatives that made a tangible positive impact on sustainable development in Hong Kong and beyond.
🎓 Certificates were then presented by Professor Cheung to the newly inducted 2026-27 Green Citizens Youth Ambassadors. They will carry forward the program’s mission through advocacy, community engagement, and international collaboration.
🎮 To inspire the new cohort, UHKA organized a thematic visit to “The Power of Play” Exhibition at the Indra and Harry Banga Gallery, City University of Hong Kong, under the theme of “Culture and Technology for Sustainable Development.” The tour was jointly led by Professor Alvin Yip, Director of the Gallery and Adjunct Professor of Architecture at City University of Hong Kong, and Professor Karen Cheung.
🔍 The visit proved to be an inspiring and eye-opening experience for the youth ambassadors. By engaging with the intersection of culture and technology, they came to recognize that the extraordinary often lies hidden within the ordinary. Whether a traditional game, a daily routine, or a community space—by examining the familiar with fresh eyes and applying the power of innovation, seemingly mundane elements can be reimagined into something remarkable. This experience reinforced the programme’s core message: that young people, armed with curiosity, critical thinking, and a willingness to dig deeper, have the potential to turn overlooked details into catalysts for meaningful change.
🚀 Looking ahead to the new term, the UHKA expresses its confidence that the youth ambassadors will harness their communication skills, innovative spirit, and capacity for action to encourage more young people to actively engage in driving sustainable development across various fields. Through international exchanges, advocacy campaigns, and grassroots initiatives, they will continue to demonstrate a global vision and a deep sense of youth responsibility—working together to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.
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