Latest news with #OurHongKongFoundation
RTHK
19-05-2025
- General
- RTHK
Think tank unveils app for Putonghua learning
Think tank unveils app for Putonghua learning Our Hong Kong Foundation's Academy of Chinese Studies worked with Tencent Foundation on the Putonghua learning scheme. Photo: RTHK A local think tank announced on Monday that it has rolled out a project aimed at enhancing the Putonghua level of primary and secondary students through the use of an AI-powered mobile app and offline activities. "Putonghua Funlearning" is a collaboration between Our Hong Kong Foundation's Academy of Chinese Studies and Tencent Foundation. It is free for schools to participate in the scheme. Eddie Heung, a senior manager at the academy, said schools told them they didn't have enough hours each week to teach the language. "They believe that there's a trend to let the students to have Putonghua learning in some funnier ways, instead of just some normal lectures at school," he said. "So the app 'Putonghua Funlearning' introduces some games which have colourful graphics and strategic planning to let the students have some new ways to learn Putonghua." Heung said the app offers instant feedback on users' pronunciation, and students can also earn points in games. A five-day online challenge for primary school students in Hong Kong and Macau will be held next month. The 40 children with the highest marks on the app will be invited to participate in an exchange tour in the Greater Bay Area in October to interact with students on the mainland.
South China Morning Post
10-04-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Safer elderly living spaces ‘could save Hong Kong HK$5.67 billion a year by 2046'
Providing a safer living environment for elderly Hongkongers could cut at least HK$5.67 billion (US$730 million) in annual hospitalisation costs by 2046, the year when over a third of the city's population is expected to be aged 65 and above, a think tank has said. Advertisement Our Hong Kong Foundation on Thursday released a policy research report that set out a series of recommendations for authorities to improve the living environment for elderly residents and support the city's strategy of 'ageing in place' – which means enabling residents to stay at home as they grow old. The suggestions included boosting the private housing market for the elderly using incentives such as a tiered mechanism offering gross floor area concessions to private developers and setting aside land for residences catering to older people. The group also suggested the government subsidise home modifications for elderly residents and update the Buildings Ordinance to require new housing projects to incorporate elderly friendly designs. 'We are facing a 'double ageing' challenge, as both the population and buildings are growing older, which is an issue we need to address,' think tank president Jane Lee Ching-yee said. Advertisement 'The policy of ageing in place needs further improvement. Inadequate housing and community support not only affect the elderly but also the long-term development of our society.'
South China Morning Post
04-04-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong should use basketball gambling revenue for sports development: think tank
Hong Kong authorities should use revenue from the legalisation of basketball betting to set up a fund for sports development and boost counselling services for gambling addicts, a leading think tank and NGO have proposed. Advertisement The city's largest think tank Our Hong Kong Foundation urged the government to inject earnings from basketball gambling – estimated at more than HK$2 billion (US$257 million) a year – into a new fund for improving sports facilities in the community, promoting sports events, training professional athletes and hosting international sports events. 'We should utilise the additional profit to give back to society, especially those concerning public investment,' Josselyn Chau, research manager of the foundation, said. She suggested 40 per cent of the revenue could go to the renovating community sports venues, and 30 per cent for hiring international coaches that could offer better training for athletes. The final 30 per cent, Chau said, could be used for exploring more opportunities for Hong Kong to host more international games. Advertisement Her suggestion followed the launch of public consultation on the legalisation of basketball betting by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau on Wednesday, which said it would adopt 'a pragmatic approach' by allowing a limited number of authorised gambling outlets. The move was first announced by Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po during his budget speech in February. He said it was estimated basketball gambling could add over HK$2 billion to government coffers.
Zawya
24-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Live Local+ @CCF 2025: Positive Education Seminar Successfully Held at Cyberport
Cyberport, Negawatt, and Our Hong Kong Foundation Join Forces to Promote Positive Education and Sustainable Development HONG KONG SAR - Media OuReach Newswire - 24 March 2025 - Cyberport, Negawatt Utility Limited (Negawatt), and Our Hong Kong Foundation are delighted to announce that the "Live Local+ @CCF 2025: Positive Education Symposium" was successfully held on March 22, 2025, at Cyberport Arcade's Atrium. This event marked the launch of the "Live Local+" initiative, supported by the Committee on Home-School Co-operation, the Hong Kong Association of the Heads of Secondary Schools, the United Nations Global Leadership and ESG Programme, and the Federation of Parent-Teacher Associations of the 18 Districts. The initiative aims to enhance the mental and physical well-being of Hong Kong students, parents, and educators while promoting green living through positive education and sustainable development. The "Live Local+" initiative aligns with the Education Bureau's "4Rs Mental Health Charter" and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. Leveraging cutting-edge digital technology and data, it promotes the concept of Eudaimonic Happiness, fostering positive family relationships to support academic growth and encouraging sustainable behaviors outside the classroom. In its first year, the initiative targets providing free support to 50 schools for transformation, with plans to expand to 300 schools within three years. The seminar attracted over 80 educators, policymakers, industry leaders, and community stakeholders, who gathered to explore the future of positive education and sustainable development. Event Highlights The event took place from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, featuring several engaging segments: Opening Remarks: Mr. Eugene Fong, Chairman of the Committee on Home-School Co-operation, delivered the opening speech, joined by Mr. Ricky Choi, Director of Smart Living at Cyberport; Mr. Victor Kwok, Deputy Research Director at Our Hong Kong Foundation; Mr. Johnny Chong, Hong Kong Director of the United Nations Global Leadership and ESG Programme; and Mr. Arthur Lam, Founder and CEO of Negawatt and ZERO2 App. They shared insights on positive education and ESG, emphasizing their positive impact on Hong Kong's education system and sustainable development. Launch Ceremony: A grand launch ceremony was held, led by the host with a countdown. Representatives from the Committee on Home-School Co-operation, the Hong Kong Association of the Heads of Secondary Schools, the United Nations Global Leadership and ESG Programme, the Federation of Parent-Teacher Associations of the 18 Districts, and prominent speakers took the stage together to officially launch "Live Local+," symbolizing a new chapter in education and sustainability. Star Speaker Sharing: Several distinguished speakers inspired attendees: - Ms. Stephanie Au, a five-time Hong Kong Olympic swimmer, shared her experiences with resilience and personal growth. - Ms. Camille Cheng, a three-time Hong Kong Olympic swimmer, discussed the importance of relaxation for mental and physical balance. - Ms. Piano Mok, an expert in arts and etiquette, explored the role of relationships in positive education. - Ms. Lydia Chan, a holistic sleep therapist for adults and children, highlighted the value of rest for mental health. Social Enterprises and Hong Kong Local Brands: Representatives from Hong Kong social enterprises and Hong Kong Local brands, including Hello Cocoa, Broken Fingers, Gift N Take, Re Pillow Co., Fair Taste, and Superwrap, showcased their contributions to sustainable development and community empowerment, demonstrating the tangible impact of ESG initiatives. Synergy of Cyberport, Negawatt, and Our Hong Kong Foundation The event exemplified the collaborative strengths of Cyberport, Negawatt, and Our Hong Kong Foundation: - Cyberport, Hong Kong's digital technology flagship and startup incubator, hosts over 2,000 community enterprises. It drives green economic growth and smart city development by supporting innovative tech solutions for smart living and sustainability. - Negawatt, through its ZERO2 app, enables schools and participants to record and quantify ESG behaviors, particularly assessing the engagement of school stakeholders (students, parents, and educators) in positive education. This fosters green living and holistic student development. - Our Hong Kong Foundation offers fresh perspectives on Hong Kong's education and sustainability through policy research and cultural promotion. Together, the three entities are building a future centered on positive education and sustainable development. Mr. Eugene Fong, Chairman of the Committee on Home-School Co-operation, said: "The Committee has long been committed to fostering home-school collaboration to promote positive education and character development. 'Live Local+' integrates technology and education, providing an essential platform for parents, schools, and students. The pandemic reshaped family-school communication, underscoring the importance of collaboration. Today, students connect with the world through smartphones and social media, often beyond parents' full understanding. Positive education is vital in this complex world, guiding children with the right values. 'Live Local+' drives cross-sector collaboration, injecting new energy into Hong Kong's education ecosystem." Mr. Ricky Choi, Director of Smart Living at Cyberport, remarked: "Cyberport is thrilled to host both the 'Live Local+ @CCF 2025: Positive Education Seminar' and a recruitment expo on the same day, both closely tied to positive education and talent nurturing. As a cradle for Hong Kong's tech talent, Cyberport recognizes the importance of talent to societal progress and the qualities future leaders need. 'Live Local+' not only provides a platform for educating the next generation but also fosters collaboration across families and schools, laying the foundation for Hong Kong's talent pool." Mr. Victor Kwok, Deputy Head of Research at Our Hong Kong Foundation, stated: "Education, technology, and talent are interconnected and inseparable. 'Live Local+' is a rare initiative that uses a data-driven platform for two-way interaction, uniting stakeholders to advance positive education. Beyond policy research, this program offers practical value, demonstrating how to integrate Chinese culture with positive education. We look forward to further collaboration with partners to contribute to Hong Kong's education and sustainability." Mr. Arthur Lam, Founder and CEO of Negawatt and ZERO2, added: "Currently, the impact of positive education is challenging to quantify and document effectively. Through the ZERO2 app, 'Live Local+' serves as a tech platform that digitizes positive education and ESG behaviors for students, teachers, and parents. With diverse activities and tasks, it enables them to easily track and measure their positive values and ESG impact both in and out of school. This helps students and parents apply their learning while allowing schools to build a digital record of ESG and positive education efforts. The core of 'Live Local+' lies in fostering happiness, social value, and well-being through a systematic, inclusive, and participatory approach to sustainable development and positive education." Looking Ahead Cyberport, Negawatt, and Our Hong Kong Foundation will continue their close partnership to raise awareness of positive education and sustainability through "Live Local+." By integrating education with technology, they aim to empower Hong Kong's education sector and youth to create a brighter future. Hashtag: #CCF2025 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Negawatt Utility Limited, ZERO2 Negawatt Utility Limited is an AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) technology company specializing in ESG and smart living/smart city solutions. We leverage property technology to drive digital transformation for property owners and building users, delivering measurable ESG impact. In 2023, we launched ZERO2, a B2B2C ESG gamification app, to help schools and businesses digitally track and quantify ESG behaviors, enhancing stakeholder engagement. ZERO2 has successfully provided ESG digitalization and employee engagement solutions for organizations such as the Hong Kong Housing Society, Zurich Insurance, DBS Bank, and others, supporting their sustainability goals. ZERO2 enables schools and businesses to design customized ESG missions, quantify carbon reduction behaviors, and generate regular ESG data reports to track and showcase their impact. Additionally, through merchant discounts and reward mechanisms, ZERO2 encourages individual users to participate in green consumption and low-carbon actions, collectively advancing sustainability. Our efforts have been widely recognized, recently earning the 2025 WISDP World Sustainable Development Planners Association "Outstanding Award for Quality Education Innovation and Technology," highlighting our innovative contributions to ESG education and technology. Cyberport Cyberport is Hong Kong's digital technology flagship and incubator for entrepreneurship with over 2,000 members including over 900 onsite and close to 1,100 offsite start-ups and technology companies. It is managed by Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, wholly owned by the Hong Kong SAR Government. With a vision to be the hub for digital technology, thereby creating a new economic driver for Hong Kong, Cyberport is committed to nurturing a vibrant tech ecosystem by cultivating talent, promoting entrepreneurship among youth, supporting start-ups, fostering industry development by promoting strategic collaboration with local and international partners, and integrating new and traditional economies by accelerating digital transformation in public and private sectors. Our Hong Kong Foundation Our Hong Kong Foundation (OHKF) is a non-government, non-profit organisation founded in November 2014 by Honourary Chairman Mr Tung Chee-hwa, former Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and former Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. OHKF aims to contribute to Hong Kong's prosperity and stability as well as its sustainable development under the "One Country, Two Systems" principle. Negawatt
