Lingnan University and Shenzhen University co-host GBA Youth Forum to explore ESG’s green finance opportunities

To raise young people's awareness of ESG and stimulate their innovative spirit, Lingnan University (LU) and Shenzhen University (SZU), renowned for its involvement in ESG and commitment to fostering sustainable development in the GBA area, co-organised the first “GBA Youth Forum - A Greener Future: Let’s All Step Up!” on LU campus today (15 May). Over 30 experts from different fields in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, which include corporate management, senior academics, public relations specialists and young entrepreneurs, have been invited to share their insights with young people through keynote speeches, panel discussions and breakout sessions, drawing over 450 secondary school and tertiary students to participate.

Mr Clarence Leung Wang-ching, Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs and Mr Song Lai, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Youth Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR officiated at the ribbon-cutting ceremony with Prof Leonard K Cheng, President of LU; Dr Jim Lai, Chairman of GBA Youth Forum Organising Committee, and Prof Zhang Xueji, Vice President, Shenzhen University. The forum was kicked off with a sharing session by two young entrepreneurs from LU and SZU, who presented their experiences in green entrepreneurship.

In his welcoming speech at the event's opening ceremony, President Cheng warmly welcomed over 450 students and delegates to participate in this cross-regional forum. He said: “The main purpose of this forum co-organised with Shenzhen University is to provide an in-depth analysis on the long-term development of ESG in the Greater Bay Area and all walks of life through a series of keynote speeches and sharing by scholars, industry leaders and elites, key stakeholders and students, especially the impact on young people and let them learn more about the emerging role of ESG such as green fintech, culture and innovation, corporate governance, and social responsibility. We hope that the outcome of the forum today can offer suggestions for sustainable investment and corporate social responsibility in the Greater Bay Area.”

The “Green Campus Proposal Competition” prize presentation was also held on the same day. The competition encourages LU colleagues and students to share their suggestions on how to build a green campus in response to the theme of creating a green future together and making important contributions to the university's sustainable development. Ten recommendations from all the entries were selected and will be actively considered for implementation in the academic year of 2023-2024.