Former UNESCO chief urges Kwai Tsing youth to embrace global opportunities
Former UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova headlined a youth forum in Kwai Tsing on Wednesday, addressing nearly 400 students and educators. Officials urged young people to balance local roots with international engagement, aligning with Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan and national development goa
Former UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova headlined a youth development forum in Kwai Tsing on Wednesday, urging hundreds of local students to embrace global opportunities while staying rooted in their communities. The event, held at SKH Lam Woo Memorial Secondary School, drew nearly 400 students, principals and teachers from 10 secondary schools across the Tsuen Wan, Kwai Tsing and Tsing Yi districts.
Organisers said the forum aimed to inspire young people to make the most of Hong Kong's unique advantages, bridging local roots with global opportunities. Discussions focused on how youth can align with Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan and prepare to contribute to both national development and the international market.
Kwai Tsing district officer Edric Leung Sing-lung told the audience that the government is committed to fostering a new generation with a strong national identity, cultural confidence and a global perspective. He said providing platforms for participation at the district level is key to helping young people step onto the international stage. Leung also invoked the legacy of Sun Yat-sen, urging youth to draw inspiration from his calls to 'revive China' and 'ally ourselves in a common struggle with those peoples of the world who treat us on the basis of equality.'
During the first part of the forum, Bokova delivered a keynote speech titled 'Asian-African-European Dialogue on Shared Future Development,' exploring opportunities for cross-regional cooperation in an increasingly globalised world. The forum concluded with a roundtable on international opportunities for youth, where former Secretary for Education Eddie Ng Hak-kim discussed how education policy and talent development can help young people prepare for global challenges.
Government officials, academic leaders and specialists from education, youth affairs, technology and sports also joined the forum, engaging with students and educators throughout the day.