Hong Kong, 28 March — The UNESCO Hong Kong Association Glocal Peace Centre hosted its inaugural fundraising event, the “Harmony and Peace: UN 80th Anniversary x Glocal Peace Centre 8th Anniversary Charity Gala,” on Saturday evening at the JW Marriott Hotel, Admiralty. The event brought together more than 140 leaders from education, culture, business, and philanthropy, reflecting growing cross‑sector interest in practical, long‑term approaches to peacebuilding.
Held in alignment with the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, the gala highlighted the ongoing relevance of international cooperation, education, and cultural exchange at a time when societies are facing increasing pressures on social cohesion and trust.
In his opening remarks, Professor Enoch Young, BBS, Vice‑President of the UNESCO Hong Kong Association, emphasised the importance of moving from principle to practice. He noted that peace today depends on shared responsibility across business, education, and civil society, supported by structured programmes, measurable outcomes, and sustained partnerships.
Music as a Practical Connector Across Communities
Music formed the centrepiece of the evening, demonstrating how the arts can serve as an effective platform for engagement, education, and dialogue. Performances were led by three acclaimed pianists: Hong Kong’s rising talent Billy Poon, “Prince of Piano” Phoebus Chan, and internationally renowned young pianist Niu Niu. Their programme was curated around UNESCO’s three core pillars: Education, Science, and Culture.
A newly composed work by Phoebus Chan, themed on Science, was presented in tribute to UNESCO’s scientific contributions. The evening concluded with a six‑hand performance of Hungarian Dance No. 5, symbolising collaboration across disciplines and generations. Together, the performances illustrated how cultural initiatives can support broader educational and community development goals.
Recognising Delivery, Leadership, and Alignment with the SDGs
The gala marked the appointment of Mr. Thirupathi Nachiappan, Professor Shirley Yeung, and Mr. Keith Wong as Peace Ambassadors, recognising their professional leadership and commitment to inclusive, cross‑sector collaboration.
The SDGs Peace in Action Award was presented to Parsons Music and the CC Wu Cultural Education Foundation in recognition of their sustained contributions to music education, youth development, and community access—initiatives that demonstrate clear alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The event was attended by leaders from Hong Kong’s education and cultural sectors, including Ms. Peggy Lam, GBS; Mrs. Christina Ting, GBS, JP; Dr. Jason Chan, MH, JP; Professor Ng Ching‑fai, GBS; Dr. Darwin Chen, SBS; Ms. Ar‑ling Ng (Parsons Music Group); Ms. S. Alice Mong (Asia Society Hong Kong Centre); and Mr. Yu Chiu‑for. Student volunteers from the Photography Society of St Paul’s Convent School supported event documentation, underlining the importance of early student engagement.
From Fundraising to Front‑Line Delivery
Proceeds from the gala will directly support the Glocal Peace Centre’s programmes, which have been actively delivered since 2018 across schools, universities, and professional environments. The Centre operates with a clear focus on implementation, partnerships, and outcomes, addressing peace across five dimensions: Individual, Cultural, Social, Environmental, and Governance.
Key programmes include:
- Peace Education – Through the Peace School Programme, schools across Hong Kong adopt peace as a cross-curricular theme, nurturing positive values and global perspectives among students.
- Promoting Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) – ICH Workshops help students explore Hong Kong’s cultural heritage, strengthening their appreciation of Chinese culture and national identity.
- Empowering the Next Generation of Peacebuilders – Nurturing future leaders through youth leadership initiatives, Model United Nations, and practical training in Positive Peace measurement tools to foster daily application and global citizenship.
- Global Recognition and International Engagement – Securing international recognition for local institutions and mobilizing collective action on critical global issues, notably through alignment with the UN Global Compact, to reinforce Hong Kong’s position as a premier international business and cultural hub.
Building Partnerships for Scaled Impact
The Glocal Peace Centre works with corporate, philanthropic, and education partners to responsibly scale proven initiatives and extend access to underserved schools and communities. Partnerships support measurable education outcomes, youth development, and credible ESG and community engagement objectives.
Organisations interested in supporting practical peacebuilding through education and culture are invited to explore partnership and sponsorship opportunities.
The UNESCO Hong Kong Association is a registered charitable institution in Hong Kong (Registration No.: 91/10053).
More information: https://peacecentre.unesco.hk/
