BOCHK | UNESCOHK
2023 HK Secondary School
Model UNESCO Conference on Climate Sustainability
On April 2, 2023, 156 secondary school students from 27 secondary schools in Hong Kong participated in the “BOCHK | UNESCO HK 2023 Hong Kong Secondary School Model UNESCO Conference on Climate Sustainability (the Conference)”, sponsored by Bank of China (Hong Kong), organised by UNESCO Hong Kong Association and Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development, and co-organised by Sprinkles (HK) Charity Foundation Limited. Student delegates representing different countries explored innovative solutions to climate change through negotiation, and awardees were offered the opportunity to receive full funding to further apply to participate in the International Model UNESCO Conference to showcase Hong Kong youth’s voice on an international platform.
At the opening ceremony of the conference, Prof. Karen Cheung, the President and Secretary-General of the UNESCO Hong Kong Association delivered the opening remarks. invited Mr. WONG Chuen-fai, Commissioner for Climate Change of the Environment and Ecology Bureau, Prof. Lau Chi-pang, BBS, JP, President of the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers, Mr. Dion Chen, Chairman of the Hong Kong Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools Council, Mr. Joseph Chan, Head of Communications and Engagement section of the Social Responsible and Sustainable Development Office, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Dr. Shu Chang, Secretary-General of Sprinkles (HK) Charity Foundation Limited, joined as officiating guests. The event was supported by the Consulates General of Britain, Egypt, France, Germany, France, Malaysia, and the United States in Hong Kong.
The conference cultivated students’ cross-disciplinary skills, including negotiation skills, systematic thinking, and critical thinking ability, through experiential learning, independent research, public speaking, debate, and case discussions. Under the theme of “Climate Sustainability”, the conference empowered youth to form positive attitudes, develop essential skills, take actions towards sustainable development, and propose transformative, innovative solutions.
List of Awardees:
Division A:
Best Delegation: The Delegation of Greece (Hong Kong Baptist University Affiliated School Wong Kam Fai Secondary and Primary School )
Outstanding Delegation: The Delegation of Egypt (HKISF)
Best Strategy: The Delegation of Singapore (ESF ShaTin College)
Best Delegate: Jasper Ng (ESF ShaTin College)
Outstanding Delegate: Hau In Tang (Hong Kong Baptist University Affiliated School Wong Kam Fai Secondary and Primary School )
Best Speaker: Adrian Preston Wong (HKISF)
Division B:
Best Delegation: The Delegation of Australia ( Island School Constituents )
Outstanding Delegation: The Delegation of the United States of America (Victoria Shanghai Academy)
Best Strategy: The Delegation of Malaysia (The Kool Kids )
Best Delegate: Cyrus Ng (Island School Constituents )
Outstanding Delegate: Brendon Mak (Victoria Shanghai Academy)
Best Speaker: Sky Lee (The Kool Kids )
The conference also achieved the level of “excellence” in the “UNSDGs Towards Net Zero Event Recognition Award”. By calculating the energy consumption of on-site equipment, carbon emissions from the transportation of attendees, encouraging participants to take low-carbon measures, and implementing carbon offset measures at the event site, the educational and positive environmental impacts of the event were significant.
The organisers wish to host Model UNESCO Conferences twice a year in the future to provide more students with opportunities to discuss global issues, enhance their understanding and participation in international affairs, as well as expand the scale and bridge students from the Greater Bay Area and countries along the Belt and Road Initiative, promoting the exchange and learning between students from different backgrounds, cultivating talents with positive values, national confidence and pride, a global perspective, communication, negotiation, and leadership skills to cope with future challenges.
Title Sponsor: Bank of China (Hong Kong)
Co- Organiser: Sprinkles (HK) Charity Foundation Limited
Supporting Organisations:
- Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers
- SDSN Hong Kong
- the Polar Research Institute of Hong Kong
- the Hong Kong Island School Heads Association
- CUHK Business School Centre for Business Sustainability
- Friends of the Earth Hong Kong
Media Partner: HK01
Participating Schools
- Belilios Public School
- Christian Alliance International School
- Diocesan Boys’ School
- Harrow International School
- Heep Yunn School
- Holy Trinity College
- Hong Kong Baptist University Affiliated School Wong Kam Fai Secondary and Primary School
- HKCCCU Logos Academy
- Hong Kong International School
- Immaculate Heart of Mary College
- ISF Academy
- Island School
- Kiangsu-Chekiang College International Section
- King George V School
- Kowloon True Light School
- Kwun Tong Maryknoll College
- New Territories Heung Yee Kuk Yuen Long District Secondary School
- Po Leung Kuk Camões Tan Siu Lin Primary School
- Po Leung Kuk Centenary Li Shiu Chung Memorial College
- Sha Tin Methodist College
- ShaTin College
- St. Paul’s Co-educational College
- Tin Ka Ping Secondary School
- Toi Shan Association College
- True Light Middle School of Hong Kong
- Victoria Shanghai Academy
- Yew Cheung International School of Hong Kong
Awardees field trip to the HK Observatory
Background
What is MUNESCO?
Model UNESCO is an educational event in which participants play the role of representatives of UNESCO Member States, simulating meetings that take place within the Organization.
Students participating in this simulation are introduced to the work and purposes of UNESCO. They gain insight into international issues and how international politics works. The aim is to seek through negotiation, discussion, and debate solutions to various world problems: for example, human rights, economic development, environmental protection, disarmament, as well as more important issues such as war and peace.
Following the successful hosting of the 1st Hong Kong Secondary School Model UNESCO Conference 2022, we will be hosting the MUNESCO Conference on Climate Sustainability in the first half of 2023. The specific motion of the conference will be released on 2023, March 1st.
Why MUNESCO?
MUNESCO is a variation of MUN, the main difference is that the core aim of MUNESCO Conference focuses on common solution and mutual understanding.
MUNESCO could effectively develop students’ skills for sustainability, it is relevant to the fields of :
– Value Education
– STREAM Education
– International Perspective
– Climate Change Education
– Education for Sustainable Development
Message from Consulates
Consul General of Egypt in Hong Kong
Consul General of India to Hong Kong & Macau SARs
Conference Timeline:
*The organiser reserve the right to make siutable adjustment to conference date depending on the situation of the pandemic
| Date | |
|---|---|
|
2023 Jan 03 - Feb 08
|
Early Bird Registration |
|
2023 Feb 09 - 22 |
Regular Registration |
|
2023 Feb 25 - 26 |
Bootcamp (optional) |
|
2023 Mar 01 |
Motion Announcement and breifing (online) |
|
2023 Apr 02 |
Conference Day |
The structure of the conference includes:
– strategy presentation
– general debate and discussion
– case session
– networking
– voting
– award ceremony
The bootcamp includes:
– Introduction to UNESCO, the UN system
– Experience Sharing: Participating in the first International MUNESCO by UNESCO HKA Youth Affairs Representative
– Public speaking and negotiation workshop
– MUNESCO & MUN Fundamentals
– Understanding the UNSDGs and international development trends
– workshop on Climate Sustainability
– sharing from participants of the first Hong Kong Secondary School MUNESCO Conference
– Upon completion of all training sessions, students will be presented the “MUNESCO & Climate Action Leadership” certificate issued by the Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development
Award & Prize
*All participants will receive a certificate of participation
Team Awards
Best Delegation:
iPAD 9 x 3
Outstanding Delegation:
Scholarship HKD 2,000
Best Strategy:
Scholarship HKD 2,000
Individual Awards
Best Delegate:
Scholarship HKD 1,000
Outstanding Delegate:
Scholarship HKD 500
Best Speaker:
Scholarship HKD 500
