SDG Initiatives

Stories for Change - Rotary Peace Fellow Internships

In collaboration with Chulalongkorn University Rotary Peace Fellow Dr Michael Chew, HKU students hosted a global online environmental video competition Film Your Earth, Make Everyone Alert! as part of an initiative to gather and showcase positive stories of environmental change throughout the world.

Second Prize: 

How to be an environmentalist when you are living in a residential hall? By Po Lam Esther Li + Keith, Vincy, Ruby, and Claire (Age group: 18-22) 

Youth Voices On Clean Energy By Amazon Theatrix Ensemble’ (Martin Nyawara + Steasy Atieno + Georgina Atieno + Joans Arodi) (Age group: 23-30): 

[ The Sleepless City ] A Video on Light Pollution in Hong Kong By Delna Khan + Chloe Wan (Age group: 12-17). Best Cinematography

Third Prize:

Waste Problem or Resources? Menstruators can help
Lau Pui Kei + Jasmine Di Trang (Age group: 18-22)

One less plastic bag everyday by Feng Jiawen (‘Lightening’) (Age group: 23-30)

Stop the war with nature!
Tseng Ying Aisling Colloton (Age group: 12-17) + Most Creative Video

Best Song: Kimmi Nicole Lynn

First Prize:

Save Our Earth (Mommy Version) By Kithuru Mohamed Idhrus Humaiya (Age group: 23-30). 

平，靚，正 (Cheap, Pretty, Perfect) By Jasmine Ho + Irisa Kwok + Hannah Montalvo (Age group: 18-22). Most Creative Video.

Sustainable Seafood By Hayden Li + Hayleigh Joy Li (Age group: 12-17). Most Meaningful Video

Jockey Club Sustainable Campus Consumer Programme

The Common Core through the Hong Kong Sustainability Campus Consortium (HKSCC) is hosting a hackathon to co-create fund and educational solutions through applying gamification in a sustainability context and bring the solutions into the Hong Kong community and beyond.
Being actively supported by the academia of the tertiary institutions and gaming consultancy in Hong Kong, the participants can gain valuable insights on the key issues on sustainability and gaming framework thus creating a gaming product that appropriately delivers the message about doing more and better with less.

The aim is to develop a gaming solution to invite the world to adopt responsible consumption and production lifestyle.

The event will start in April 2022 with applications and run until September 2022. More details will be available soon.

Photography Exhibition: Climate Change and Leadership in Hong Kong

The photography exhibition is held in support of Global Climate Change Week on 18 – 24th October 2021. It features original photographs submitted by HKU undergraduate students around the theme of  Climate Action and Leadership in Hong Kong.

Nature and Natural Life by Yik Hei Lam
(Nature and Natural Life by Yik Hei Lam) Climate change has significant effects on our lives in the world. Increases in global temperature have caused sudden changes in the habitat of many organisms, leading to the shortage of food faced by animals. Many species are facing threats of extinction... What should we do to help them?
Bluster of the Ocean by Dickens Mok
(Bluster of the Ocean by Dickens Mok) Global warming has become a more serious problem as humans continue to generate severe environmental pollution. It has caused an increase in the severity of typhoons. The waves and storms of the typhoon disrupt our lives and is a warning for us to confront our pollution problem.
Rahmen by Song Yichuan
(Rahmen by Song Yichuan) HKU is not just a maze of constructed buildings but also represents the relationship between human society and nature, where buildings and tropical plants Rahmen and speak to each other.
All we need is a little push!!! by Nydia Yeung
(All we need is a little push!!! by Nydia Yeung) Have you ever thought of what we can personally offer and what role we can lead in environmental protection? Let’s start with ourselves and motivate and inspire those around us to take action. Environmental protection is a joint effort, and we need to let each other know we do not act alone. Sometimes, a little push is all it takes for people to act on climate change.
Can we still shop for seafood in the future? by Li Chuqi
(Can we still shop for seafood in the future? by Li Chuqi) The ocean plays an important role in feeding the world and climate change has a significant impact on it. As temperatures rise, some fish populations are predicted to reduce drastically and even disappear in some regions. Shopping for seafood in the wet market might become a distant memory in the future.
Invisible Consequence by Zhou Xiaokang
(Invisible Consequence by Zhou Xiaokang) This place used to be sunny but now climate change makes it rains a lot. People drive in the strong fog and it’s hard to see the destination. If we keep damaging our environment and we will face terrible and unexpected consequences.
Getting hotter by Vincent Cheng Yu Sang
Getting hotter by Vincent Cheng Yu Sang The simple photograph shows the severity of climate change in Hong Kong right now when it still feels like summer in October. The youth are the future leaders of Hong Kong and should take the initiative to be aware of climate change.
A Change of Heart by Lau Jin
(A Change of Heart by Lau Jin) Mong Kok, the heart of Hong Kong, is an example of excessive urbanization. It represents the impact of human activities on Mother Nature and how we are responsible for global warming and climate change. What can we expect with the upcoming large scale urban renewal project in Mong Kok proposed by our leaders? Will it help to relieve the pressure of climate change? Only time can tell.
Growth by Aastha Gaur
(Growth by Aastha Gaur) The photo depicts how what the world perceives as growth is actually destruction. The upside down nature of the photograph, and the muzzled reflections are a symbol of our uncertain future due to our activities resulting in climate change. The tiny sun at the back represents leadership and powerful corporations which have the power to stop this change from happening.
No where to hide by Zhang Wenkai
(No where to hide by Zhang Wenkai) This picture was shot in Kam Shan Country Park. Having entered the deep mountains, I can still see factories in the distance from time to time. We can never hide from human activities that change the climate. Or they can't always hide from us. But at least we still have the country park.
Autumn Rainstorm by Mak Tsz Hang
(Autumn Rainstorm by Mak Tsz Hang) This photo was taken in early October at HKU when a heavy rainstorm hit Hong Kong. Adverse weather like this has become more common because of climate change, and the new generation, including the university students, will need to fight against climate change to ensure a better future for humanity.
Pointing to a Greener Future by Stethanie Yeung
(Pointing to a Greener Future by Stethanie Yeung) Located in Tsim Sha Tsui, which means “sharp sandy point” in Cantonese, the newly built West Kowloon Art Park looks like a green arrow pointing across the iconic Victoria Habour towards Hong Kong Island. The park is a symbol of Hong Kong’s determination to push for greener developments as a leading global city.
Concrete and Sunset by Lin Aijing
(Concrete and Sunset by Lin Aijing) The photography was shot at the Mills (南豐紗廠) in Tsuen Wan, where artificial cement architecture was built over nature. As we peek out from the uncovered cement buildings (the artificial), we long to chase after sunsets (the beauty of nature). It’s a part of human nature to protect and admire nature and take action against climate change.
How Should I Cross? by Ging Sem Chin
(How Should I Cross? by Ging Sem Chin) A student took to the lead in crossing the creaky wooden bridge in gloomy weather. As the imminent challenge of climate change approaches, how shall leaders guide us to overcome this problem?
Way to Enjoy Sky View by Jessie Ruan
(Way to Enjoy Sky View by Jessie Ruan) A dead dragonfly has been hanging from the curtain of Main Library 2/F for more than 3 weeks. Does it feel cold inside? Will it gaze up to the sky as I do?
Sagittarius Shek O by Michael Leung
(Sagittarius Shek O by Michael Leung) A photographer relies on light - both the presence and lack of it - to create art. Light pollution is just as real as rising sea levels and temperatures. How much longer can we continue to produce light pollution before the constellations of the sky become invisible from our naked eye?
Rain Shelter Destroyed by Rain by Chan Sheung Kwan
(Rain Shelter Destroyed by Rain by Chan Sheung Kwan) Global warming has intensified extreme weather events such as heavy rainstorms. In June, my family and I were stuck in South Lantau - as landslides caused by heavy rain brought down trees, rain shelters, and blocked the South Lantau Road. The authorities must improve slope maintenance efforts to prevent casualties and economic losses.
Leading the action, it is that simple by Lawrence Yau
(Leading the action, it is that simple by Lawrence Yau) Can cycling mitigate climate change? Definitely! The impact of cycling can be extraordinary, although it is only a tiny action. You don’t need to be a ‘leader’ to lead. Not driving a car is not shameful because you are leading the world.
Nature x human by Yu Yan Yiu
(Nature x human by Yu Yan Yiu) Hong Kong’s unique beauty has always been sculptured by the interactions between nature and human activity. The beauty can only be preserved by maintaining harmony with Mother Nature so that all our future generations can enjoy each and every mesmerising of the Hong Kong landscape.
Metallic giants by Roy Lee Sze Yeung
(Metallic giants by Roy Lee Sze Yeung) Towngas plants have always fascinated me. Hong Kong has struggled to use cleaner energy and adopt more natural gas. Even though natural gas might still be a form of fossil fuel, combating climate change does not mean abandoning all fossil fuel energy. We must think innovatively to maximize efficiency with the use of clean energy while managing the transition from old to new green energy.
From Our City to Our "Sea-ty" by Chan Yik Hei
(From Our City to Our "Sea-ty" by Chan Yik Hei) I took this photo at Heng Fa Chuen in 2018 Summer, during the super typhoon Mangkhut that triggered catastrophic floods across Hong Kong, destroying many facilities. Extreme weather is a reminder that it is everyone’s responsibility to take a leadership role in stopping climate change and the importance of joining together to reduce our carbon footprint.
The Burning World by Gulati Naman
(The Burning World by Gulati Naman) The Burning paper is a portrayal of climate change, which is slowly but significantly burning our world.
Too hot to walk the doggies! by Wong Tsz Tsun
(Too hot to walk the doggies! by Wong Tsz Tsun) There is no doubt that climate change is affecting our daily life and the global environment is becoming increasingly unsustainable as well. We should not ignore the signs of climate change and consider taking action not only for ourselves but also for the sake of future generations. Climate action now!
Courage to rise by Justin Li Wang Tin
(Courage to rise by Justin Li Wang Tin) Leadership blossoms with change. Like the small green leaves rising from the rugged, filthy, concrete paths and roads, our humble efforts against climate change may not seem outstanding at first. But soon, with persistence - a flower will blossom.

SDG Games 2030

The Common Core collaboration with Encompass HK will host a series of workshops on the 2030 SDGs Game. Created in Japan, this multiplayer, card-based game simulates taking the “real world” into the year 2030 to gain a deeper appreciation of the United Nations SDGs.

The games seeks to engage teachers and students in a meaningful conversation about the SDGs.

Workshops will be organized on:

12 August 2021: Gaming for Teachers (4 – 6 pm)
23 September 2021: Gaming for Students (4 – 6 pm)
8 October 2021: SDG and Design Thinking (4 – 6 pm)

Play Video

AIESEC in HKU Presents: SDG Innovation Challenge

As our learning partner, AIESEC ran workshops and a hack-a-ton competition around the SDGs focused on good health and well-being, quality education, and reduced inequalities. The Challenge had participants hack scalable and socially-impactful business models, open to students from any tertiary institution around the world, with teams of 4-5 students submitting a 4-page proposal and a 6-minute video pitch.

The session attracted 55 participants, with the final winners as follows:

Play Video

SDG 3 Good Health and Wellbeing – Group 3: Jeong
SDG 4: Quality Education – Group 9: No Girls Left Behind
SDG 10: Reduced Inequality – Group 11: Paritas

Intergenerational Participatory Co-Design Project (IPCP)

The IPCP was a knowledge exchange and research collaboration between the Common Core Office, HKU Libraries, the Sau Po Centre on Ageing, and the Faculty of Education, involving three different age groups in Hong Kong – retired Senior Champions (50+ years old), HKU undergraduate students and secondary school students. The objectives of IPCP was encouraging inter-generational communications towards developing new approaches to support an ageing society. The focus centered around cross-generational collaboration, appreciation of cultural heritage, and technological innovations. The project was supported by the HKU Teaching Development Grant at the University of Hong Kong between November 2019 and November 2020. For more information, visit the CAMPUS @ HKU page.

Mindfulness and Meditation with Tsz Shan Institute

360 Diversity in Sham Shui Po

“Diversity in Sham Shui Po” is a project launched in 2018 by the Common Core Office in collaboration with the social enterprise Rinato Eco Floral Shop. Using 360° photographic and video technology, the project aimed to collect and record the lives of the diverse individuals, groups and communities who reside in Sham Shui Po, including stall owners and immigrants from minority ethnicities.

The project was led by Dr Nicol Pan and six undergraduate and postgraduate students from the Faculty of Arts, Education, Social Sciences and Science: Ms Wai Yin Tang, Mr Gabriel Fung, Ms Winnie Wei Zheng, Ms Tiffany Tse, Ms Lauren Leran Liu and Ms Guolei Ma. The mini-documentary the only video in Hong Kong selected for the MY World 360º playlist and screened at UN General Assembly at the United Nations from 24 to 25 September 2019.

For more information:
HKU Press Release
HKU student documentary ‘Diversity in Sham Shui Po’ to be screened at UN General Assembly (South China Morning Post Young Post)

HKU Rural Sustainability Programme wins inaugural Special Recognition for Sustainable Development in the 2020 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation

Related CC Course: CCGL9058 Villages and Global Futures

Further information on the UNESCO Recognition:

UNESCO Official Announcement
HKU Press Release
CCSG Facebook
CCSG Website
Project Website

Prospect Myanmar: Painting a Transitional State

Date: 12 March – 2 April 2015 (10:00 am to 5:00 pm)
Location: HKU Visitor Centre and Common Core Lounge (MB150)

The exhibition was a conversation on the political reform that started to sweep Myanmar in 2011, when a long-standing military junta handed power to an elected civilian government. The nation needed to confront many big issues during the transition. This exhibition provides one set of perspectives on Myanmar in reform by presenting paintings by about twenty artists. Together, they help generate a fuller understanding of a nation that for decades has had only limited contact with the wider world.

The art works are now on display in the Main Library, on loan from Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning), Professor Ian Holliday.