2023 HK Secondary School Model UNESCO Conference on World Heritage

BOC HK | UNESCO HK
2023 HK-GBA Secondary School
Model UNESCO Conference on
World Heritage

Conference Booklet

Mr Arjen VAN DEN BERG
Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Hong Kong

Mr. Luis Fernando Orozco Barrera
Consulate General of Colombia in Hong Kong

On November 25, 2023, the UNESCO Hong Kong Association and the Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development held the “2023 Hong Kong – Greater Bay Area (GBA) Secondary School Model UNESCO Conference on World Heritage”. 162 secondary school students from 30 schools in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area passed the preliminary and participated in the conference. Student delegations represented 54 different countries, each proposed innovative solutions to protect World Heritage, and formed consensus to establish” Youth Declaration on Protecting World Heritage”(the Declaration) through insightful discussion and negotiation.

The conference empowered youth to actively explore international affairs, broaden their international horizons, and promoted the exchange and respect of culture between students from Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, cultivating sustainable future talents with Hong Kong roots, national pride, and a global perspective.

Photo of Guests: Prof. Karen Cheung (centre), Mr. Chiang Chi ho, Ivanhoe (3rd from left), Prof. Lau Chi-pang, BBS, JP, member of the Legislative Council, President of the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers (4th from left), Mr. Manuel Innocencio de Lacerda Santos Junior (2nd from left), Mr. Luis Fernando Orozco Barrera (1st from left), Mr Mostafa Shabani Pour (2nd from right), Ms. Yip Lai Lai (3rd from right), Mr. Anthony Cheung(1st from right), Dr LI Wai Chin, Associate Professor; Associate Dean (Quality Assurance and Enhancement) of FLASS The Education University of Hong Kong (4th from right)

Playing and Singing the Chinese National Anthem

Prof. Karen Cheung, President of UNESCO Hong Kong Association, Mr. Chiang Chi ho, Ivanhoe, Commissioner for Cultural Heritage Conservation of the Development Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Manuel Innocencio de Lacerda Santos Junior, Consul General of Brazil in Hong Kong , Mr. Luis Fernando Orozco Barrera, Consul General of Colombia in Hong Kong, Mr Mostafa Shabani Pour Consul of the Consulate General of Iran in Hong Kong, Ms. Yip Lai Lai, Deputy General Manager of the Corporate Social Responsibility Office of the Bank of China (Hong Kong), and Mr. Anthony Cheung, director of the Sprinkles (HK) Charity Foundation Limited and the Supervisory Board member of the World Benchmarking Alliance, were invited as the officiating guests of the conference.

The conference was sponsored by the Bank of China (Hong Kong), co-organized by the Sprinkles (HK) Charity Foundation Limited, and supported by the Education Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government of the People’s Republic of China, the Development Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government of the People’s Republic of China, College of Professional and Continuing Education, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the Hong Kong University of Education, the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers, and Sustainable Development Solutions Network (Hong Kong), and other educational institutions in Hong Kong. Consulate Generals in Hong Kong including Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, France, Germany, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, the Netherlands, Pakistan, the Philippines, Portugal, also supported the conference and offered messages of congratulations.

Group photo of Supporting Consulates: Prof. Karen Cheung (centre), Mr. Manuel Innocencio de Lacerda Santos Junior (2nd from right), Mr. Luis Fernando Orozco Barrera (3rd from left), Mr Sherief Malaty, Deputy Consul General of the Consulate General of Egypt in Hong Kong (1st from right), Mr Mostafa Shabani Pour (2nd from left), Ms. Leah Mejia, Attaché, Political and Economic Section of the Consulate General of Philippines in Hong Kong (3 rd from right)

Students actively participating in the conference (Group C)

Students actively participating in the conference (Group B)

The welcoming remark was delivered by Prof. Karen Cheung. She expressed that the conference enhanced students’ ability to engage in meaningful and collaborative discussion international issues through immersive research-based learning. From independent research and preparation, in-depth experience, team-based strategy presentation, to discussions and negotiation, and ultimately drawing insights on the strategies of different countries to protect world heritage to establishing the declaration, the process transformed knowledge to cognitive understanding and tangible actions, effectively cultivating students’ interdisciplinary skills such as negotiation, critical thinking, and system thinking.

Welcoming Remark by Prof. Karen Cheung

Mr. Chiang Chi ho, Ivanhoe appraised the importance of the conference in raising youth’s awareness and encouraging them to actively think and participate in the protection of cultural and natural heritage. He pointed out that protecting World Heritage and ensuring its sustainable development requires international partnership, cross-sector collaboration, stakeholders, and public engagement. During this conference, the students were able to appreciate, respect, learn and evaluate on the strategies of protecting world heritage in different countries. This experiential learning experience will help young people to participate in the protection of precious cultures and monuments in Hong Kong and around the world.

Officiating Remark by Mr. Chiang Chi ho, Ivanhoe

With participants from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, this conference was unique and significant as it connected “local, national and international”. During the conference, negotiation and the integration of ideas helped the students to understand and appreciate each other’s perspective, encouraging them to work together to contribute their youth power to international issues. Professional adjudicators including Mrs Rosa S.F. Lok, the Former Assistant Director of Housing (Housing Subsidies) of The Hong Kong Housing Authority, Member of The Hong Kong Institute of Architectural Conservationists, Dr Lau Leung Kwok Prudence, Assistant Professor and the Associate Head of Department of the Department of Cultural and Creative Arts of The Education University of Hong Kong, and Dr WONG Tai Choi Richard, Lecturer at the Department of Science and Environmental Studies of The Education University of Hong Kong gave insightful suggestions to the final “declaration”.

Final – Youth Declaration on Protecting World Heritage

In the ‘Declaration,’ students advocated that youth should act as ‘heritage ambassadors who safeguard our ancient treasures.’ At a personal level, individuals can raise awareness of World Heritage protection through social media. At the school level, research-based World Heritage projects could be integrated into courses and curriculums on sustainable development. On a societal level, youths could become ‘Green Citizens Youth Ambassadors,’ participating in local and international voluntary work for heritage protection and taking part in cultural exchange tours. Students from all delegations call for global cooperation to address challenges faced by World Heritage sites, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and destructive urban development, and to inherit these priceless treasures shared by humankind.

UNESCO Hong Kong Association will further amplify the influence of this conference by promoting the “Declaration” to local, national, and international platforms, to spread voices of youth from Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.

Presentation of UNESCO Hong Kong Association 2023/24 Member School Certificate: Ms. Lui Yee Man Karen, principal of C.C.C. Mong Man Wai College (3rd from left), Ms. Chan Yuen Ling Gloria, principal of the Concordia Lutheran School (4th from right), Dr Patrick Hak Chung Lam, principal of the ELCHK Lutheran Academy (5th from right), Ms. Sze Yin Hung, Co-Principal of the Yew Chung International School of Hong Kong – Secondary (4th from left), Ms. Hui Tuen Yung, principal of the True Light Middle School of Hong Kong (2nd from left) and representatives from schools

The award Grand Best Delegation presented by Prof. Karen Cheung and Mr. Chiang Chi ho, Ivanhoe

Awardees:

Grand Best Delegation:
- St Paul’s College: Lam Tai Yin、Wong Kin On Christopher、Cheng Paak Hei（the delegation of Germany）
Outstanding Delegation:
- Chinese International School: Moses Lai、Juby Xie、Theo Zhu（the delegation of India）
- Chinese International School: Bridget Tang 、Andrea Wu 、Sander Day（the delegation of China）
Special Recognition:
- ISF Academy: Valerie Shek Sze Ai、Adrian Preston Wong、Adelyne Sylvania Chiang Liu（the delegation of Argentina）
- Queen’s College: I-Gede-Surya-Bhattarai、Roy Utkarsh 、Fang Yin Qi（the delegation of Finland）；
- ELCHK Lutheran Academy: Ibrahim Malik、Muhammad Safiullah、Tahir Malik（the delegation of Belgium）
Best Strategy:
- St Paul’s Co-educational College: Wong Tin Yat, Tyril、Chan Ka Yau, Kacey、Chan Lai Man, Lyman（the delegation of France）；
- ELCHK Lutheran Academy: Ching Cheung、Jophy Lew、Christy Fan（the delegation of Cuba）；
- Kowloon True Light School: Lee Tin Yu、Leung Jodie Sin Yu、Chen Chit（the delegation of Greece）
Best Delegate:
- Chinese International School: Sander Day
- Chinese International School: Moses Lai
- ELCHK Lutheran Academy: Ibrahim Malik
Outstanding Delegate:
- Chinese International School: Andrea Wu
- Queen’s College: Fang Yin Qi
- Pui Ching Middle School: Lee Suet Tsun
Best Speaker
- ISF Academy: Adrian Preston Wong
- ELCHK Lutheran Academy: Jophy Lew
- St Paul’s College: Lam Tai Yin

In response to global and local climate action, 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, and purchasing the “Voluntary Cancellation Certificate” issued by the UNFCCC to offset the same amount of carbon dioxide emission of the event, the conference achieved net zero carbon emission. The conference also encouraged the student participants to take low-carbon measures during the event, such as “Bring Your Own Bottle”, use public transport and waste sorting facilities to enhance its educational impact.

Participating Schools (including preliminary and bootcamp):

C.C.C. Mong Man Wai College
Chan Sui Ki (La Salle) College
Chinese International School
CMA Choi Cheung Kok Secondary School
Concordia Lutheran School
Diocesan Girls’ School
ELCHK Lutheran Academy
HKSYCIA Wong Tai Shan Memorial College
HKUGA College
Hong Kong Baptist University Affiliated School Wong Kam Fai Secondary and Primary School
Immaculate Heart of Mary College
ISF Academy
Island School
Kowloon True Light School
Kwok Tak Seng Catholic Secondary School
Kwun Tong Maryknoll College
Macau Santa Rosa de Lima English Secondary School
Munsang College
Nanhai Foreign Language School
Nanwu High School
POCA Wong Siu Ching Secondary School
Pooi To Middle School
Pui Ching Middle School
QESOSA Tong Kwok Wah Secondary School
Queen’s College
SKH Lam Kau Mow Secondary School
St Paul’s College
St Paul’s Co-educational College
St Stephen’s Girls’ College
Tak Nga Secondary School
Toi Shan Association College
True Light Middle School of Hong Kong
Yew Chung International School – Secondary

Acknowledgement:

Title Sponsor: Bank of China (Hong Kong)
Co- Organiser: Sprinkles (HK) Charity Foundation Limited
Supporting Organisations:
- Education Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government of the People’s Republic of China
- Development Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government of the People’s Republic of China
- College of Professional and Continuing Education, Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- The Education University of Hong Kong
- The Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers
- Sustainable Development Solutions Network (Hong Kong)
- The Lutheran Church Hong Kong Synod
- New Territories School Head Association
- The Association of English Medium Secondary Schools
Supporting Consulates:
- Consulate General of Brazil in Hong Kong
- Consulate General of Colombia in Hong Kong
- Consulate General of Egypt in Hong Kong
- Consulate General of France in Hong Kong & Macau
- Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Hong Kong
- Consulate General of Indonesia in Hong Kong
- Consulate General of Iran in Hong Kong
- Consulate General of Italy in Hong Kong
- Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Hong Kong
- Consulate General of Pakistan in Hong Kong
- Consulate General of the Philippines in Hong Kong
- Consulate General of Portugal in Macau and Hong Kong

Youth Declaration on Protecting World Heritage

What is Model UNESCO?

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.

2023 HK-GBA Secondary School Model UNESCO Conference on World Heritage

With the sponsorship from Bank of China (Hong Kong), and support from the co-organiser – Sprinkles Fund, the supporting organisations and consulates, the first and second Model UNESCO Conference in Hong Kong achieved pleasing results.

The HK-GBA Secondary School Model UNESCO Conference will be hosted on the topic of “World Heritage”, welcoming students from Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.

The selection of the topic corresponds to the topic of the “the Second International UNESCO Model under the auspices of UNESCO”.

UNESCO & World Heritage:

Since 1972, the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage was created by UNESCO and it has recognized certain places of Outstanding Universal Value as part of the common heritage of humanity.

The main tasks of UNESCO are:

to encourage States to accede to the Convention;
to support the activities of States Parties aimed at raising public awareness;
and to promote international cooperation.

The global scope of application is what makes the idea of world heritage exceptional, thereby making its protection more effective.

World heritage sites are the treasure of mankind, some of them preserve important historical and cultural values, some of them contribute to the protection of nature and biodiversity, and some of them symbolize peace and diversity.

Up until June 2023, there are 1157 cultural and natural heritage sites around the world, of which 56 are in China. Places as diverse and unique as the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador, the Taj Mahal in India, the Grand Canyon in the USA, or the Acropolis in Greece are examples of the inscribed World Heritage Sites on the List.

Aim of the Conference:

to draw the attention of youth to the importance of preserving world heritage sites
to empower youth to propose innovative projects and solutions, contributing their bright ideas to the world
to promote the development of youth leadership through discussions and debates;
to develop students’ 8 skills for sustainable development
provide an opportunity to realize the potential of youth, increase their civic engagement and develop leadership and team skills;
develop the ability of the younger generation to analyze, shape and express their point of view;

Conference Details

Eligible participants: Secondary School Students from Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area

Team Size: 3 students / team (the students need to be from the same school)

Registration fee for the conference: Free

Working language of the event: English

Event format: Offline

Conference Location: Hong Kong

Bootcamp Location: Hong Kong (Simultaneous Zoom Session will be provided)

Bootcamp Registration Fee:
Standard – HKD 1200 / Student
Zoom live lessons – HKD 600 / Student
Member School Students – HKD 960 / Student (please refer to https://unesco.hk/web/unesco-hk-esd-member-schools-network/ )

Activity	Date
Registration	2023 Jun 28 - Oct 04
Bootcamp (Optional)	2023 Oct 07 - Oct 08
Preliminaries Submission	2023 Oct 09 - Oct 15
Preliminaries Result Announcement	2023 Oct 23
Motion and Delegation Announcement	2023 Oct 25
Deadline of Presentation Materials Submission	2023 Nov 22
Conference Day	2023 Nov 25
GBA Field Trip (for Awardees)	2023 Dec 28 (tentative)

*The organiser reserve the right to make siutable adjustment to conference date depending on the situation of the pandemic

Bootcamp Arrangement

Conference Arrangement

Preliminary:

Each team need to submits a 3-minute video, which includes:
- 30 seconds: introduce yourself
- 1 minute: Motivation to attend the conference and expectations for the event
- 1.5 minutes: to select a cultural monument/natural site NOT included in the World Heritage List and nominate it according to the criteria of UNESCO World Heritage List. Explain the benefits of preserving this heritage site, possible challenges and solutions for conserving the site.
Each team needs to answer the following questions (within 200 words for each question)
- Why is the The Convention concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage important to the protection of world heritage?
- How to promote global cooperation in world heritage conservation?

Conference Sessions:

Session 1: Strategy Presentation

In the strategy presentation, the delegations have to present the strategies that their countries are either already implementing in respect to the motion.
Each delegation is given 4 minutes for speech accompanied by presentations (PowerPoint slides) and 3 minutes for Q&A.

Session 2: General Debate and Discussion

Each delegation need to raise a discussion question, which could point out possible implementation challenges of other proposals, or strengthen their own proposals.
This session encourages students to debate and think on the spot.

Session 3: Case Session

The case session is a special feature of Model UNESCO Conferences
Participants will discuss a local case related to the theme of World Heritage and propose innovative solutions
Participants negotiate to come up with a comprehensive solution to the case

Session 4: Voting

Delegates vote among themselves according to award critera

Session 5: Final – Youth Declaration for Protecting World Heritage

Top 3 teams will make 3 minutes speech + 3 minutes Q&A
The theme of the speech is “Youth Declaration on Protecting World Heritage Protection” prepared on the spot based on discussions with all other delegates throughout the day.
Final result will be determined by expert judeges

Session 6: Award Ceremony

Awards and Prize

Team Awards:

Award	Number of awards	Prize
Grand Best Delegation	1 team	iPAD x 3
Outstanding Delegation	2 teams	2500 HKD
Special Recognition	3 teams	1500 HKD
Best Strategy	3 teams	1500 HKD

Individual Awards:

Award	Number of awards	Prize
Best Delegate	3 students	1000 HKD
Outstanding Delegate	3 students	500 HKD
Best Speaker	3 students	500 HKD