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In support of the World Environment Day, Ocean Park Corporation (Ocean Park) and the Hong Kong Innovation Foundation (HKIF) organised the first ‘Hong Kong Education Leadership Summit 2023’. Close to 200 secondary, primary, and kindergarten principals as well as representatives of educational institutions exchanged views and discussed conservation and education topics such as innovation and technology, food security, and life planning. During the Summit, Ocean Park also announced the launch of the ‘Ocean Park Conservation Alliance’ that connects education institutions, children, and young people in Hong Kong.
The Summit saw various experts and scholars deliver keynote speeches on a variety of topics and share their perspectives on conservation. Professor Kenneth Leung Mei-yee, Chair Professor in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry at the City University of Hong Kong, discussed the role of innovation in marine conservation in his presentation ‘Innovative Direction in Promoting Marine Ecological Rehabilitation and Conservation’. Professor Lam Hon-ming, Life Sciences at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, explained how we can breed and cultivate drought-resistant and salt-tolerant soybeans using innovative technologies. His presentation ‘Soybean Research and STEAM Education’ provided a detailed explanation of how soybeans could be widely planted on Chinese soil. Dr Apple Chui Pui-yi, Research Assistant Professor in the School of Life Sciences at The Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Founder of Coral Academy, outlined her experience in establishing the academy to help preserve local marine ecosystem. Ir Andrew Young, Associate Director (Innovation) of Sino Group, shared his thoughts on creating a holistic innovation ecosystem to drive sustainability.
Following the Summit, attendees were invited to participate in a sustainability tour at The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel Hong Kong. Attendees gained a glimpse of how sustainability concepts can be integrated into every aspect of the hotel's operation.
In his opening speech, Mr Paulo Pong Kin-yee, Chairman of Ocean Park Corporation, said, “Ocean Park is honoured to have the Hong Kong Innovation Foundation's support in co-organising this event to facilitate the 2050 Net Carbon vision proposed by the Government. The Park is rolling out a brand-new conservation advocacy movement targeting at saving species, low carbon diet and lower plastic usage.”
Deputy Chairman of the Hong Kong Innovation Foundation, Ms Nikki Ng Mien-hua, remarked, “Hong Kong's biodiversity is rich and abundant. We believe in the same philosophy of environmental conservation and education as Ocean Park. Over the years, HKIF has partnered with Ocean Park on several initiatives to raise public awareness on Hong Kong's wonderful and natural biodiversity. It is a pleasure to collaborate with Ocean Park once again as well as launch the Hong Kong Education Leaders Summit together. It is through partnership that we can explore environmental education and conservation together, to increase the future generation's knowledge of sustainable development, therefore paving the way to a greener future together.”
Ocean Park rolls out the largest School Conservation Alliance in Hong Kong
Ocean Park also announced the launch of the ‘Ocean Park Conservation Alliance’ at the Summit. The Alliance aims to nurture students' passion for nature and educate them on the importance of protecting species by connecting education institutions, children and young people in Hong Kong. It also looks to drive a positive impact on the community by making students more aware of their environment and take everyday action to protect it.
Mr Pong Kin-yee further asserted that Ocean Park had undertaken the mission of education and conservation. In this financial year alone, more than 400,000 students participated in online and in-person Ocean Park's educational activities inside and outside the park. “This year, we launched the Conservation Alliance to encourage students to transcend themselves and inspire innovative conservation actions. It is our goal to encourage schools to take advantage of the wealth of resources available at Ocean Park, including natural ecological education activities and competitions, online training, seminars, student forums, and more, in order to take action and advocate conservation initiatives,” he added.
The Conservation Alliance will invite secondary schools, primary schools, and kindergartens to register as Alliance Schools in August and September 2023. As an Alliance School, they can participate in and organise conservation activities during the academic year of 2023/24 and gain recognition as ’Outstanding Alliance Schools’ when they complete designated missions. To encourage more students to enrol in Alliance Schools, accreditation will be renewed every year. By registering as an Alliance member, students will receive a wide range of information on conservation and have the opportunity to share highlights of their school's conservation efforts. Additionally, they can participate in activities led by conservationists.
