THE ZUBIN FOUNDATION Improving the lives of Hong Kong’s ethnic minorities by reducing suffering and providing opportunities
Press Release
Empower, Engage, Envision: WeDesign Hong Kong 4.0 by The Zubin Foundation and Arup Racially Diverse Families and Youth Collaborate to Shape a Sustainable Future for Hong Kong Hong Kong, 13 December 2024 – The Zubin Foundation, in partnership with Arup, proudly presented the WeDesign Hong Kong 4.0 Competition's Final Presentation & Award Ceremony today. This pioneering initiative in Hong Kong invites local ethnic minority families and youth to come together, harnessing their creativity to design sustainable urban solutions with a cultural lens. The WeDesign Hong Kong 4.0 Competition goes beyond the traditional urban design contest; it embodies a movement that promotes cultural and social inclusion, community engagement, and alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By empowering ethnic minority families to participate as teams, this initiative fosters intergenerational collaboration, allowing parents as well as their adult and young children to share ideas and learn from each other's experiences. This unique approach enhances a sense of belonging and enables multicultural families and youth in Hong Kong to actively shape the future of their neighbourhoods with a cultural lens. “We are thrilled to witness the creativity and collaboration this competition inspires. It provides a one-ofits-kind platform for our local ethnic minority families and youth to come together, share their experiences, and contribute meaningfully to the future of our city. Moreover, this competition highlights the importance of intergenerational learning. When parents and children work together, they not only share ideas but also cultivate mutual respect,” said Shalini Mahtani, Founder and CEO of The Zubin Foundation. Over the past three months, Arup facilitated engaging workshops focused on sustainability for the contestants, with their employees serving as mentors to guide participants throughout the process. “At Arup, we believe that partnership and community engagement are vital for meaningful change. The WeDesign Hong Kong 4.0 Competition showcases the value of diversity in shaping our urban landscape. By involving ethnic minority youth and families with our volunteers, we not only share knowledge but also embrace unique perspectives. This collaboration is key to envisioning a sustainable future for Hong Kong,” said Theresa Yeung, Director, East Asia Community Engagement Chair, and East Asia Cities, Planning and Design Leader of Arup. The competition has profound implications. Participants expressed their appreciation for the initiative. “This competition made me realise how much our perspectives matter. Working with my family to design our community’s future was an eye-opening experience. It’s inspiring to see my children engage with the community’s future and understand the importance of sustainability,” shared Prathyusha Kalluru, a participant and mother. Yusra Saleem, another participant, the eldest daughter in a family team, reflected, “Working with my mum, younger siblings and one of my dearest friends has shown me the strength of our collective ideas. My mother’s insights, combined with my knowledge from university, have helped us develop ideas that honour our heritage while aiming for a sustainable future. I never realised how much my mother’s life experiences could contribute to our project. We’ve learned that every voice matters, and I’m grateful for the chance to uplift my family’s ideas in this competition. With the Arup mentors’ assistance, we are able to bring our vision to life.”
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