The HKFYG Marks 65th Anniversary with Youth Forum and Launch of First Sustainability Report

To mark its sapphire jubilee, The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG) today (26 November) held its 65th Anniversary Youth Forum: Navigating Change Together at The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Bringing together young delegates, leaders and experts from across the government, education, social and business sectors, the Forum explored the future of youth development over the next ten years across three key areas: Talent Cultivation, Social Participation and Environmental Wellness. Together, speakers and delegates sought to develop forward-looking and action-oriented solutions to rise to future challenges and open up new opportunities.

The Forum was officiated by Guest of Honour, Clarence Leung Wang-ching, Acting Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs. He was joined by: Wan Ning, Deputy Director-General, Youth Department, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; Ho Kai-ming, Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare; Kenneth Leung Yuk-wai, Vice-Chairman, Youth Development Commission; and the HKFYG’s President Kenneth Chen Wei-on and Executive Director Hsu Siu-man, at the Opening Ceremony.

Kenneth Chen Wei-on, President of the HKFYG, noted that youth development can only be achieved with the support of different sectors and generations. “The Forum is designed to identify the defining traits of today’s young generations and to devise innovative, yet practical, solutions collectively.” He added that the HKFYG will continue to draw on its 65 years of frontline service and research experience to evolve its services in navigating change with young people.

Clarence Leung Wang-ching, Acting Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, commended the HKFYG for its contributions to local youth development over the past 65 years, supporting diverse youth needs through different life stages. He highlighted the Forum’s focus on Talent Cultivation, Environmental Wellness, and Social Participation — which aligns closely with the government’s youth policy vision — and expressed hope for continued collaboration with the HKFYG to help young people unlock their full potential.

Nearly 30 distinguished speakers contributed to the programme, including: Prof Anthony Cheung, Chair Professor & Advisor (Public Administration), The Education University of Hong Kong; Dr Kay Lam, Consultant, Department of Public and International Affairs, City University of Hong Kong; Joe Ngai, Senior Partner and Managing Partner of Greater China, McKinsey & Company, Hong Kong; Prof Chang Wing-chung, Chairperson and Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong; Prof Richard So, Associate Dean of the School of Engineering, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; Kenneth Wong, Business Development Lead – Strategic Enterprise & Public Sector, Google Hong Kong; and Francis Ngai, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Social Ventures Hong Kong.

The Forum opened with Prof Anthony Cheung’s Keynote Address, Future Forward: Young People Ten Years From Now, followed by Dr Kay Lam’s featured presentation, Who Are the Present Generation?, setting the tone of the day’s discussions.

Two plenary and six parallel sessions were also featured, where panelists shared insights on “Intergenerational Dialogue: An Inclusive Future”, “How Young People Can Shape Their Own Futures”, “What Does Gen Z Bring Forward to the Workplace?”, “Small vs Big NGOs: Competition or Collaboration?”, “How Can Young People Break Free From Emotional Quicksand?”, “The Age of AI: How Can Young People Stand Out?”, “Unleashing Creativity: Youth-Driven Social Innovation”, and “What Does It Take to Build a Community Where Mental Health Matters?”

Alongside the discussions, a highlight of the Forum was an immersive exhibition titled 2035: Blooming into the Future, using the growth of flowers–which flourish with water, air, light, space and soil–as a metaphor for how each young individual can grow and thrive when nurtured, nourished and supported by society. The exhibition took participants on a sensory experience to envision and experience 2035 through the lens of youth, inspiring new perspectives on youth development.

Building on decades of experience, the HKFYG 65th Anniversary Youth Forum: Navigating Change Together aims to bring the community together to collaborate, innovate and create solutions with a common purpose: to make a lasting, sustainable impact and build a resilient, inclusive future for Hong Kong’s next generation.

The Forum concluded with a joint call to action and the launch of the HKFYG’s first Sustainability Report, which outlines its progress and impact in areas such as addressing climate change with energy-saving and monitoring measures and low-carbon practices, advancing professional growth for youth and staff, and advocating community health through the “Youth Public Health Practitioners” training programme. These efforts underscore the Federation’s unwavering commitment to driving sustainability with its partners and the wider community.

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