Exploring Climate Resilience and Ecological Symbiosis – Advancing Education for Sustainable Development
Sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Jointly Organized by Earth Environmental Foundation and Chengdu University of Information Technology
HONG KONG, Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Earth Environmental Foundation (EEF) hosted a successful “EEF Western Sichuan ‘Resilience & Symbiosis’ Interdisciplinary Field Study Camp” Sharing Session cum Press Conference last Saturday (12 September). The event celebrated the outcomes of this year’s Camp, continued EEF’s “School ESG Ambassador Programme” (SESGAP), and featured inspiring discussions on climate change, resilience, and ecological symbiosis, as well as cross-border collaboration between Hong Kong, Macau and the Mainland. The sharing session brought together students, educators, government officials and industry leaders to reflect on the Camp’s impact and chart future directions for youth empowerment in environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices.
Distinguished guests, representatives of the Camp’s sponsor, organisers and supporting organisations, and teachers from participating schools joined students as they shared their treasured memories and unforgettable experiences from the Camp.
The Camp was sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club and jointly organized by the Earth Environmental Foundation and Chengdu University of Information Technology, with the PolyU-BGI Joint Research Centre for Genomics and Synthetic Biology in Global Ocean Resources and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Science Education Association as co-organising partners. The seven-day Camp, held from 4 to 10 July 2026, engaged around 50 teachers and students from five secondary schools in Hong Kong and Macau – South Tuen Mun Government Secondary School, Pui Ching Middle School (Macau), Tang Shiu Kin Victoria Government Secondary School, G.T. (Ellen Yeung) College, and Cheng Chek Chee Secondary School of Sai Kung & Hang Hau District, N.T. – together with Chengdu University of Information Technology (CUIT), in immersive interdisciplinary fieldwork across Chengdu and the western Sichuan plateau. Drawing on geography, architecture, ecology and social science, participants visited CUIT, Sichuan University, the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Taoping Qiang Village, Xuecheng, and Yanwozhai Village in Songpinggou. Through smart meteorology courses, emergency disaster-response drills, and intangible-heritage Qiang embroidery workshops, students explored the earthquake-resistant architectural wisdom of the Qiang people, while a study of the horse-caravan (“mabang”) culture of Yanwozhai Village – covering equine behaviour, highland horse-taming techniques, and high-altitude patrols under Leave-No-Trace principles – deepened their appreciation of the symbiotic relationship between humans, horses, and nature.
Representatives from the five participating schools shared their firsthand experiences from the Camp. Students from EEF’s “School ESG Ambassador Programme” also shared their ongoing sustainability projects, followed by an update from Mr. Andrew TSANG, Chief ESG Development Officer of EEF, on the programme’s next phase.
Distinguished guests delivered keynote remarks and speeches, emphasising the event’s alignment with broader conservation and educational development goals.
The Hon Dennis LEUNG Tsz-wing, MH, Legislative Council Member, HKSAR, hoped: “Hong Kong’s primary and secondary school curricula can establish a more professional and enriched framework for environmental education, sustainable development education, and ESG education.”
The Hon Jonathan CHAN Pok-chi, MH, JP, Legislative Council Member, HKSAR, said: “I hope that, going forward, through positive interaction between the Government and the Legislative Council, together with civil society, academia, and organisations with a shared vision, we can achieve even more outstanding results.”
Mr. CHAN Kin Fung, Simon, Assistant Director (Conservation) of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, HKSARG, said: “The Government has launched Hong Kong’s Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2035, which sets out very clear, long-term goals for Hong Kong’s biodiversity work over the next decade, with particular emphasis on participation by the whole community.”
Mr. CHEUNG Ki-tang, Jack, MH, Member of Kwun Tong District Council, encouraged the students: “I hope all of you will dream bigger about your future, and not limit yourselves.”
Prof. LEE Ming-yuen, Simon, Chair Professor of Biomedical Sciences at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, delivered a keynote titled “Resilience and Symbiosis, Nature’s Gift to Us: A Journey of New Drug Discovery from Mangrove Microbes to Corals,” in which he elaborated on new research methods and trends in biomedical science.
Associate Prof. KANG Ping, of the School of Atmospheric Sciences at Chengdu University of Information Technology, shared: “Resilience teaches us to understand and adapt to our environment amid change, and to find new paths through challenges; symbiosis teaches us that humans and nature are not opposing forces, but grow together through mutual respect.”
Dr. TSUI Yun Pui, Joseph, Chairman and CEO of EEF, said: “EEF’s philosophy is to advance environmental protection through technology and innovation, and to connect the world through education and practice – and this Western Sichuan journey is a true embodiment of that education and practice in action.”
The event underscored three key benefits. Firstly, the practical application of environmental stewardship and disaster-resilience knowledge through hands-on fieldwork. Secondly, the cultivation of students’ leadership and cross-cultural competencies through direct engagement with Qiang heritage, panda conservation, and highland ecology. And thirdly, the strengthening of cross-border educational ties between Hong Kong, Macau and the Mainland in support of Greater Bay Area development and sustainable, nature-based solutions.
The Camp was sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club and jointly organized by the Earth Environmental Foundation and Chengdu University of Information Technology. The earlier opening ceremony in Sichuan was attended by representatives from the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Sichuan Provincial People’s Government. The Camp received extensive media coverage, including from Xinhua News Agency, China News Service, Sichuan Education Television, and Qiangguo Hao.
Other co-organizers include the PolyU-BGI Joint Research Centre for Genomics and Synthetic Biology in Global Ocean Resources, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Science Education Association. Supporting organisations include the International Institute of Management, Global Universities Alumni Union, the Hong Kong Institute of Certified ESG Strategists, the Hong Kong Association of Financial Advisors, Hong Kong Engineering Associations Alliance, Hong Kong Institution of Building and Services Engineers, Hong Kong Society of Engineering Professionals, the Association of Chinese Internal Auditors, the University of Macau (Hong Kong) Alumni Association, and the Firefly Conservation Foundation.
