YP CSR 2016 by Education Post

April 2016

CONTENTS 8

THE ARTS Over the wall Sino Art’s murals encourage student participation and benefit the whole community Vickie Chan

SPORT Rugby tackles community needs with tailor-made programmes The HKRU Community Foundation uses the sport to improve the lives of underprivileged teenagers John Cremer

LITERATURE Breaking down barriers Book review contest encourages more candid conversations among family members Andrea Zavadszky

Young Post’s Special Report on Corporate Social Responsibility is printed and published by South China Morning Post Publishers Limited, Morning Post Centre, 22 Dai Fat Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong. Tel: 2680 8888. Copyright ©2016 South China Morning Post Publishers Limited

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COMMUNITY Art as inspiration Jebsen Group’s CSR programme uses art to enrich the lives of children Chris Davis

EDUCATION Embracing the world of contemporary art Asia Art Archive is offering a number of programmes designed for the younger generation Chris Davis

EDITORIAL Editor: Ginn Fung | Assistant Editor: Vivi Li | Community Editor: Daisy Fung | Feature Editor: Samuel Lai Art Director: Candy Lai | Assistant Art Director: Ming | Editorial Assistant: Wendy Lau Sub-editors: Richard James Havis, John Cremer | Freelance Designer: Derik Chan ADVERTISING Assistant Sales Director Alex Wong (852) 2680 8984 alex.wong@scmp.com

Account Manager Stella Chung (852) 2680 8377 stella.chung@scmp.com

Account Manager Jacko Man (852) 2680 8702 jacko.man@scmp.com

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THE ARTS

Over the wall Sino Artâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s murals encourage student participation and benefit the whole community, writes Vickie Chan

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THE ARTS

ince 2006, the Sino Group has been supporting local communities and those in need through Sino Art, which was founded to promote arts and culture through events, workshops, public art, and community engagement. One focus of the programme is partnering with local artists to paint murals on community facilities, and to organise art-related workshops and activities for underprivileged children and teenagers. Seven outdoor murals have been completed during the last three years, allowing the programme to engage with the public in a visible way. Chan Gua, an illustrator and graphic designer, was invited by Sino Art to take part in a mural project for a kindergarten. “After they had explained the project, I realised how meaningful it would be. The project became very important to me,” he explains. The opportunity to use his craft to bring joy to the public was an important motivating factor for Chan. He was inspired by the idea of sharing creativity. “I considered the definition of creativity as an expression of something beautiful. Even though the form of what we find beautiful is different

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I felt that they pushed me to do the best project I could. It was a great experience CHAN GUA

for everyone, it’s important to us all – isn’t it another form of happiness?” he asks, adding: “I hope bringing art to the community, and letting the audience connect with it, helps them to feel happiness in their hearts. That is how the community benefits.” After receiving some guidelines from Sino Art, Chan started putting together his idea for the Hong Kong Christian Service Tai Hang Tung Nursery School. His research started online, looking at other murals and art ideas for kindergartens. He also discussed the project more deeply with Sino Art, with a view to drawing on their experience. “They knew what to expect, so I realised that their advice would be a plus for me,” Chan says. Chan started by using animals to express his idea. He drew a sketch showing animals playing at an amusement park, experiencing rides, such as a merry-go-round. “I showed them as friends, having fun together, and sup-

porting each other, because I wanted to show the children they could live like that too,” he explains. The biggest challenge was getting the colour palette right. “Sino Art suggested that I shouldn’t use any bright colours, because it might feel too ‘sharp’ for little children. So I picked a very soft, pastel-based palette,” he explains. Sino Art were very open to his ideas. Chan notes: “They didn’t challenge me, they only gave advice. I felt that they pushed me to do the best project I could. It was a great experience.” One of the challenges for Chan was working with children between the ages of four and six, as he had only worked with primary and secondary school students before. He simplified his workshops by using fewer materials and letting the children do more. “I described some simple ideas to them, and then let them draw while I listened and watched. I took note

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THE ARTS

of what they created, and adapted my style to reflect their thoughts,” he says. The purity of their ideas affected how they expressed themselves, he notes. “For instance, they would draw a lion in a very simple way. They wanted to show how strong lions are, and then they might roar, like a lion. It was a very real reaction – adults are not like that,” he says. In another workshop, Chan asked the children to look at the animals he was using in his illustration, and then to create their own. The idea was that the animals would have a picnic together, and the children would later pretend to be the animal they had imagined and drawn. “When you ask them why they would like to be a particular animal, they usually have very interesting answers – they are very honest,” he adds. With such bold imaginations, it’s no wonder that children benefit from a visually vibrant environment. “Art makes them happy, and I think different illustrations and styles can inspire their thinking and creativity,” Chan says.

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The “canvas” makes an impact, too. Painting a mural has two qualities that make it stand out. First, it’s big, and second, it’s permanent. “When you make a large banner or poster, it has a shorter lifespan. There is something long-term about painting on a wall – it merges into the fabric of life,” Chan says. A mural becomes something that community members interact with every time they pass by, and it hopefully triggers their imagination. The walls amplify everything about it – its size, its permanence, and even its standing in society. After the workshops, Chan took the children to take photos of their work in front of the large mural. “It reminded me how simple children are in their approach. I had become like a big brother figure to them, and one of the children called me “Brother Gua”as we went upstairs. It was very heartwarming,” he says. It was also the first time Chan had seen his work on such a large scale, and it inspired him, too. “I want to get people to remember what’s deep inside their

hearts, because when we find that, we feel more positive,” he says.

are usually referred to the school by a social worker or their teachers.

In another project, Sino Art reached out to underprivileged boys who study and live at the Shing Tak Centre, run by the Society of Boys’ Centres. Residents at the site are aged between nine and 18; those participating in the Sino Art project were around 15 to 16 years of age. Many of the boys have experienced difficulty adjusting to the normal school system. They are often from single-parent families, or they have parents who live in the mainland and have been raised in Hong Kong by their grandparents. Cheng Ching-yee, superintendent at the Shing Tak Centre, says that they

The Shing Tak Centre gives the boys classes similar to those at a mainstream school, but the classes are smaller, so they can receive more attention. “They also have counselling so that they can learn to cope better when they leave us. Some students go back to mainstream schools, if we decide that they can cope – and others don’t,” Cheng says. The after-school activities include learning a range of social and communication skills, which help them to manage their emotions better. “We teach them how to cope with any

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problems they might have with their families, and how to manage their relationships. This includes how to understand themselves as teenagers, and how to relate to others,” Cheng explains. The creative focus of the facility is on learning life skills and activities. “We look at things like cookery, dancing, and making music, because these help them find out what they are good at. It might help them think about a future career,” says Cheng. Sport is also a popular activity, and one of the exterior walls of the centre is used as a climbing wall. When architect Stanley Siu and artist Sim Chan met staff at the Shing Tak Centre to develop a Sino Art project, the ideas developed out of the centre’s motto: “Self-respect, self-discipline and self-reliance.”

– where they looked at buildings and discussed their style and history. The boys took photographs, which they used on the second day. “It was the first time they had come across what I call graffiti art, mixed with contemporary art. After our discussion about art history, they were very inspired,” says Siu. It was something of a revelatory experience for the boys. Cheng says: “It was the first time in their lives they had closely engaged with a young and energetic professional in this way.” Meeting professionals like Siu and Chan is important for those at a facility like the Shing Tak Centre, Cheng says. First, it teaches them to express themselves, which is generally a challenge for the boys. Second, the professional artists take the boys’ lessons outside the classroom, and this inspires them. “Learning how to develop ideas, how to display artwork, and

Stanley Siu (fourth from right) and Sim Chan (third from right).

how to make your idea a reality gives them ideas for their future work,” says Cheng. Siu adds: “I made it clear that they would participate in this process by making their own version of a mural in the workshop.” This was something different for the boys, he notes: “They were used to making something in

class and then putting it on a shelf.” The visit to Central was a pivotal experience, because they combined the experience with their own materials – the photos. “That is when they realised that this project was going to take place on a large scale, and it fascinated them. They understood the artwork was going to be part of real life.”

During a two-day workshop, the boys were given a brief grounding in art history, which moved from Renaissance to Impressionism and Pop Art. Then, the group went on a field trip to Central – a first-ever visit for many

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The boys had to make a collage to express their own personal messages, and then share it with the class. It was an intense learning experience. “They were embarrassed, as they hadn’t done that kind of thing before,” Siu recalls, adding that one student was scared of sharing his thoughts in front of everyone. “He expressed those feelings in his work, which is what I wanted. They learned that they can express themselves visually. They also understood that one day they would be a part of society and would not have the protection of their school.” Cheng was impressed with the students. “Seeing how the boys transformed during the programme was very touching. I saw how they could be part of a large project and that they could work with professionals visiting our centre. It was incredible,” she says. Prior to the experience, the boys wouldn’t have dreamed of becoming artists or architects, or of entering any

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profession. “They opened themselves up to new ideas, and now they have aspirations and a desire to chase their dreams. We want to build on that,” she adds. It took three weeks to paint the mural on the outside walls of the centre. All the boys watched the process taking place. While this was going on, the dorm interiors were renovated by another Sino Group team as part of the Sino Art in Community project. “We asked the boys to bring the workers dessert, and we encouraged them to talk to them,” says Cheng. With so many volunteers and helpers on site, the boys learned what might end up being their greatest lesson: one day, they might be able to help someone else too. “They got to see their place in society and how they relate to the community,” Cheng says. “Many of them were grateful and wondered if they could help others themselves one day.”

Nikki Ng, group general manager of Sino Group concludes: “We are humbled and fortunate to work with great artists, who have designed murals for the children’s community facilities filled with colours, hopes and dreams. They have also led tailor-made programmes for over 600 children and young people, using their creative energy and positive encouragement. Whether for a collage re-constructed from contemporary images of our city’s architecture or a green education workshop filled with smiling cartoon characters, all participants enjoyed the collaborative process of bringing their creative ideas to life.”

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SPORT

Rugby tackles community needs with tailor-made programmes The HKRU Community Foundation uses the sport to improve the lives of underprivileged teenagers, writes John Cremer

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SPORT

The HKRU organised a trip to Cambodia for hearing-impaired children.

iji won the cup at this year’s Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, which took place on April 8 to 10 at the Hong Kong Stadium. But all kinds of other exciting events played out behind the scenes.

be used as a medium to tackle any number of social issues,” says Robbie McRobbie, the HKRU’s general manager of rugby operations and commercial. “It’s a great way to engage people, break down barriers, change impressions and have a life-changing impact.”

On the Friday evening, there were stadium visits for around 6,000 local schoolchildren, who were invited to see the action and share in the fun. As part of their wide-ranging commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR), the Hong Kong Rugby Union (HKRU) also made sure free passes were available for hundreds more youngsters to enjoy the show.

Current initiatives run by the HKRU Community Foundation were inspired by Operation Breakthrough, a charity dedicated to enhancing trust between the police and youths who seem destined for trouble. The initiative began by using boxing lessons as a way to improve understanding on both sides. Now, 11 different sports are involved, and hundreds of young people are reaping the benefits.

Some are from underprivileged backgrounds, while others are overcoming disadvantages, or are young offenders. Through their involvement in rugby-based training programmes, all are being given the chance to discover untapped skills, make new friends, develop self-confidence and find a sense of purpose in life. “I’m a firm believer that sport can

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“Involvement with Breakthrough showed me what could be done in terms of effecting social change,” says McRobbie, a former inspector with the Hong Kong Police, who moved to the HKRU in 2003. “We want as many kids as possible to take part, but these projects are about more than simple participation. We are giving everyone the opportunity to play sport, includ-

ing kids who are at risk and those with special needs. But it is also important for us to promote values and build self-esteem.” When planning new rugby programmes, the first step is to identify a sector of the community that has an issue and can benefit from them. This has meant directing attention to the needs of hearing-impaired children, teenagers in the Tuen Mun Boys Home, and young offenders in the Cape Collinson Correctional Institution. The initial contact is made through Asian Charity Services, an NGO. When assessing the options, “sometimes it clicks”, says McRobbie. This happened last year when McRobbie visited a children’s residential care home, and saw that a sports programme could spark interest and excitement. After contact has been made, the hard work really begins. “The crucial thing is to have well-trained staff,” he says. “To be effective in social change, they need to understand how sports coaching, youth coaching and education intersect.”

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SPORT

They [the exercises] teach kids to think about each other as individuals, not as objects of mistrust, and they show the advantages of breaking down prejudice and misunderstanding ROBBIE MCROBBIE

Winning matches and recognition can change lives.

It’s not simply a matter of asking for volunteers. Fortunately, Monaco-based Laureus Sport for Good Foundation has provided introductions and financial support to arrange tailor-made training courses. These deal with the key aspects of youth development and explain how drills on the rugby field can be used to make a point, or drive home a message in tackling issues such as juvenile crime. “We are using the context of sport to get across important lessons and reinforce them creatively,” McRobbie says. “If there is no conversation in those areas, then there is no real point to what we do.” In one exercise, the group are told to pass the ball to each other. But they have secretly been told to deliberately exclude one player. When the game stops after five or 10 minutes, the excluded individual is asked to explain what it felt like. The resulting comments can then be spun into a lesson about discrimination, inclusion, and teamwork. Alternatively, in a move adopted from similar schemes in divided communities like the West Bank, Cyprus and 20 CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Northern Ireland, teams are selected with a view to breaking down cultural barriers. If the players don’t co-operate and communicate, they will have less chance of scoring, or beating that day’s opposition. “Exercises like these can be very simple, but they are still very powerful,” McRobbie says. “They teach kids to think about each other as individuals, not as objects of mistrust, and they show the advantages of breaking down prejudice and misunderstanding.” Most of the programmes are geared to teenagers aged 13 and over. They are open to boys and girls, depending on the situation. To make it easy to get involved, each initiative is run on the basis of “zero cost” for the participants and their parents. The HKRU, in tandem with various donors, provides a sports kit, boots, balls, transport, and whatever else might be needed. In certain cases, only the generosity of corporate sponsors makes the initiative possible. Companies with an interest in CSR

are usually linked to a specific programme. This can be ongoing, or it can last around eight weeks. For example, HSBC is backing a longterm scheme run for the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, Société Générale is paired with the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children, and Standard Chartered is supporting a five-year programme for the Hong Kong Association of the Deaf. “The kids want to win matches and medals and be recognised for achievements on the field,” McRobbie says. “Along the way, you might find the odd nuggets of rugby talent, and a few from Breakthrough have gone on to Hong Kong age-group teams. But that’s not why we are doing this. More important for us is to ensure that everyone gets a game and that their lives start to change.” Even so, the goal-oriented mind-set of the business world means that corporate sponsors prefer to establish measures which show the results of their involvement. It’s not enough for the old hands, who have seen the YOUNG POST

SPORT

The Hong Kong Rugby Union uses sport to tackle social issues.

“When we first started, people were not so worried about monitoring and the returns on investment,” McRobbie says. “But now everyone wants to see statistics about what is being delivered. We realise, though, that if you want the corporations to sponsor you, it is important to demonstrate the money is being put to good use.”

of employing a qualified social worker on a full-time basis with an NGO. The aim is to offer a more scientific assessment of the results, and to validate methodologies and progress for the benefit of the companies’ CSR experts. But one of the best proofs of success is that the HKRU currently employs eight full-time staff, who came through the Breakthrough programme, and then trained as coaches to remain part of the project.

With this in mind, the HKRU is working with the department of social work at the Chinese University of Hong Kong to design ways to monitor, evaluate, and “upscale” staff skills, especially for initiatives working with children with special needs.

“They are the best possible role models,” says McRobbie. “But anybody can do it. You don’t have to be an international-level rugby coach, a qualified social worker, or a great teacher. You just have to be prepared to learn essential skills in the three key areas.”

In the absence of past data, valid comparisons and control groups, establishing such measures is not easy. But some schools do have records relating to late attendance and absenteeism, and some note demerit points for indiscipline. Students taking part in rugby programmes show great signs of improvement in these areas.

Future plans include teaming up with more corporate sponsors and translating the training course materials into Chinese. Some of Hong Kong’s new generation of professional rugby players may take the chance to get involved, although they are under no obligation to do so.

changes with their own eyes, to just say it works.

The HKRU also plans to share the cost

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“I don’t want to put people in an environment where they are not comfortable,” McRobbie says. “It ends up

being detrimental if you force someone to do something which is not their cup of tea.” It helps that events such as the ever-popular Sevens keep rugby in the public eye, and that business is increasingly waking up to the whole area of sport for development. But in a city with a limited sporting culture, persuading kids to come forward can be a struggle.

The ever-popular Sevens keep rugby in the public eye and inspire children.

“To be brutally honest, convincing kids to get involved is still a challenging and difficult part of the process,” McRobbie says. “But events like the Sevens are very helpful. The kids come and see this whole world, and we hope they will be inspired by it.” There is a desire to reach out and touch more people, and everyone wants the programmes to expand. But growth cannot be at the expense of quality. “The key is to make sure all the programmes are top quality and can last ‘forever’,” McRobbie says.

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LITERATURE

Breaking down barriers Book review contest encourages more candid conversations among family members, writes Andrea Zavadszky

“A Letter to My Family” competition organised by Sun Hung Kai Properties expects applications from all age groups.

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LITERATURE

The competition hopes to encourage reading and expressing love to family members.

amily is one of the most important things in life, but living with certain family members is not always plain sailing. Much as we love and want the best for others, everyone is under a lot of pressure, which can make us grumpy or short-tempered, and the closer we are to each other, the easier it is to get hurt.

For example, Yam Ho-ching was nine when she won a bronze prize and a “best presentation special award” for her letter to her mother in the last competition in 2014.

Also, even though family members talk to each other every day, that doesn’t mean they communicate well. Routine conversations contain all kinds of misunderstandings, and it can be hard to find the right moment to talk about a problem or issue that really bothers us.

“I was attracted to the book because of its title. I liked it because I had feelings and thoughts similar to [the main character] Siu Yuen,” says Yam, who is now 11.

It is especially difficult for young children to bring up something they don’t like about their parents’ behaviour, with adults often failing to realise there could be a problem. Opening the door to more candid conversations is the aim of “A Letter to My Family”, the bi-annual book review competition organised by Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP). It encourages both young people and adults to read a book and write a review of it for a member of their family in the form of a letter. The competition wants to promote reading as a regular habit and get people to talk about their feelings in constructive new ways.

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She bought the book Jiaohuan Mama (Exchanging Mothers) on a trip to Taiwan.

Siu Yuen was always angry with her mother, who often scolded her, while spoiling her brother. She felt her mother had many shortcomings and wanted to exchange her for someone better. In her dream, she had three chances to do this. “In the end, Siu Yuen understood that everybody has weaknesses. She understood that her mother really loved her and couldn’t be replaced,” Yam says. When Yam saw an advertisement announcing the competition, she thought it was an interesting concept and approach. “I wanted to write a letter for my mother, which could tell her how I felt,” she says. “I wasn’t expecting any prizes; I just wanted to express my feelings.

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LITERATURE

Lee Wing-ting wrote a letter to her father to thank him.

“Sometimes I get angry with my mum when she scolds me, when I am lazy and don’t do my homework properly. So I wanted to write something to tell her what I think and how I feel.”

Fifteen-year-old Lee Wing-ting used the competition to tell her father what she had learned from her chosen book and how much she loved and appreciated him.

The most important message was to tell her mum she was really the best mother in the world. Yam had learned from the book that no one is perfect. We have to treasure what we have and not just envy others.

Like him, she doesn’t find it easy to open up about her feelings, meaning that their relationship is rather distant. She read Fu Lei Jiashu (Fu Lei’s Family Letters) written by a renowned translator, scholar and artist, who died in the Cultural Revolution. The letters were to his son Fu Cong, who became a famous musician. Yam realised a father’s role is sometimes to be strict and stern to ensure his children keep to the straight and narrow.

“I told her how much I love her,” Yam says. But, at the same time, she expressed her frustration at being scolded. She even proposed a deal: she would take a more conscientious approach to homework, and at the same time, she asked her mother for less scolding and criticism. She handed the letter to her mother to post it to the competition. “My mum was so impressed after reading it and talked to me about how I felt. She said she was sorry and would try to be more patient in future,” Yam says.

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“I wrote a letter saying that my father is my role model and real hero. The most important message was to thank him for his love and care,” Lee says. She apologised for being angry so many times and told him she realised he had supported her and stood by her in every important event of her life. As her grandmother had just passed away, she also felt upset about not showing enough affection and

did not want to make the same mistake with her parents. “The book was really thought provoking. It gave me a different perspective on things. All the words are very touching and simple. It helped me see things from my father’s perspective. On many occasions, fathers do not let their children know [if they have any difficulties] and bear all the responsibilities. The book showed me how great a father is,” Lee says. In the end, Lee did not show her father what she had written. “It actually seemed quite odd to give him a letter all of a sudden, as we see each other every day,” she says. “And maybe I was not brave enough. But I thanked him by WhatsApp, and he was grateful for the message.” Even so, writing the letter was still a great chance to speak from the heart, and Lee learned a lot from reading the book. For this year’s participants, there are three categories: Junior for children

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aged six to 12; Intermediate for those aged 13 to 18; and Open for people aged 19 and above. The review/ letter can be written in Chinese or English. The previous contestants recommend choosing a book which you like and which is relevant. It might be one of the 20 suggested by SHKP or something different. “Students should choose a book related to families, love or growth. It may give them ideas for writing the letter,” says Lee, adding it is best to avoid choosing a “difficult read” where the message may be a bit obscure. Yam adds: “You should choose a book that voices your thoughts.” Students are also advised to see the competition as a chance to write something personal and important to a family member. The letter should be sincere and true. All those who take part can benefit in multiple ways. They will read and learn from a thought-provoking book, develop stronger relationships with their family, and enhance their writing skills.

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“When we have something difficult to tell others directly, writing a letter is a good method,” Yam says. Prizes include gold, silver and bronze awards for the English and Chinese divisions, a Kindle for the winner and book vouchers up to HK$2,200 in value.

Yam Ho-ching

There is also a special “Love from Far Away” award to encourage people to write to family or friends they haven’t seen for three months or more. One primary and one secondary school with the most entries will each receive a Most Active Involvement trophy. According to SHKP deputy managing director Victor Lui, the company believes reading provides knowledge and cultivates the mind. “If young people share their ideas from books and their personal feelings with parents, teachers and friends, adults can understand more about how the younger generation views society and life,” he says. “This kind of interactive reading and writing can foster genuine communication between the generations.”

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COMMUNITY

Art as inspiration Jebsen Group’s CSR programme uses art to enrich the lives of children, writes Chris Davis

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COMMUNITY

Bianca Wong (right) is also a volunteer for the “Art is Life” programme.

ebsen Group is a company with a long legacy of aligning business interests with the well-being of employees, consumers, and the communities where it operates. So it’s no surprise to find that its corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities include art programmes that focus on enriching the lives of children. Bianca Wong, group HR and corporate communications director says these programmes for children were launched two years ago to provide a focus for Jebsen CSR ambassadors who were keen to improve the lives of children through art. “We use a lot of art and design in our portfolio of products and in the way we position ourselves as an organisation. So we saw this as a good fit,’’ says Wong. Voluntary events are planned around the three “A”s: improving children’s access to art (accessibility); developing children’s appreciation of art (appreciation); and applying art in children’s daily lives (application). “The

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feedback we get is very encouraging. Our volunteers often report they have gained as much, and sometimes even more, than they have given,’’ says Wong. More than 100 Jebsen volunteers participated in the “Art is Life” programme last year, which benefitted about 85 children in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Artworks created by children with autism have been displayed as an exhibition, something which highlights the creativity of the young artists. After seeing the artworks, more employees joined the company volunteer programmes, Wong adds. She says the Shutterbug photography club and drumming programmes have also been successful. Recently, the former partnered with the NGO HandsOn Shanghai (HOS), and Jebsen staff learned photography skills so they could teach underprivileged children in schools in the mainland to take pictures. As a local distributor of Casio and Pentax photo equipment,

Wong says there is a natural synergy between the company and the art of photography. ‘’Our art programmes seem to start with a good idea, and quickly develop and expand,’’ she notes, adding that art is a powerful tool that creates links between individuals and communities. As an example, Wong mentions “Plastic Fish Sculpture Making”, which was co-organised by the Jebsen volunteer team and the Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation. A sculpture made from plastic bottles was shown at the “Ocean Arts Walk 2016” exhibition at Stanley Plaza. The event is a platform for artists and young people to reflect on the ways that our behaviour affects the health of our ocean,’’ says Wong. As a company that has been deeply rooted in the Greater China region for the past 120 years, supporting education is a long-held corporate belief, Wong says. “We work with a lot of NGOs and we are open to new ideas, and new ways to use our CSR activities to help children,’’ she says. J also

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COMMUNITY

More than 100 Jebsen volunteers participated in the “Art in Life” programme.

The company supports Orbis, the Flying Eye hospital, and environmental and community projects. Over the past five years, more than HK$6 million in scholarships has been donated to the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. In 2013 ,the “Michael Jebsen professorship in Business” was established with HKUST to support the global recruitment of a top business scholar. Professor Jitendra V. Singh, who joined HKUST in September 2014 as dean of the school of business and management, received this extra accolade. The company has expanded its education fund and partnered with the World Youth and Children’s Choir Festival in Hong Kong in 2015.

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Company volunteers say the arts enable businesses or individuals to understand their cultural and social environments, and help to develop creative ways to address social issues. Henry Yang, who works for Jebsen Motors, says he discovered the rewards of spending time with migrant children who are adapting to new surroundings. Aloof Xie, who works for Jebsen Beverage, says he is pleased he joined the Shutterbug photography club programme. This led to him to teaching new skills to children of Chinese migrants who have left their homes in rural areas to work in the city. “Volunteers are all ordinary people leading busy lives, yet I saw how much the students trusted the volunteers, and I was touched,’’ Xie says.

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Sponsored Feature

An impressive display of teamwork - the final structure was constructed using over 2000 balloons, and towered at over 7 meters tall!

Science, Mathematics, and Art (SMArt) Project 2016 I n 2016 January, about 100 junior secondary school students from 40 secondary schools gathered to get SMArt about sugar art, pinhole photography, magnetic fluids, ceramic art, as well as fractal structure. The Science, Mathematics, and Art (SMArt) Project 2016, coorganized by the Faculty of Science of the University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), aims to inspire more students to appreciate the intrinsic relationship between science, mathematics, technology, and art, through a series to interactive lectures and workshops. The SMArt programme consists of two days, with the first day held at the HKU and the second day at the HKSTP. Day 1 was kicked off with four lectures by various HKU professors and lecturers. The lectures were followed by four different hands-on workshops, in which the SMArt participants experienced actively how science, mathematics, technology and art are all inter-related. In one of the workshops, Mr. Terence

Mr. Stanley Ng developed pictures with the SMArt participants.

Lee from Gitone Ltd. shared with the participants his expertise in making ceramics. “I actually took science in secondary school as well, and ceramics involves many different aspects. For example, a lot of chemicals are involved when we do glaze tests. Many people look at working with clay as an art form, and that’s fine, but you still need to keep a scientific mind, because it is a type of technology after all.” In the next room, Mr. Stanley Ng and Ms. Ceci Liu from Studio de Dimension de Tofu demonstrated another group of participants how to make workable pinhole cameras with recycled metal boxes. “Our studio The SMArt participants created spun sugar decorations during the lecture. focuses on art education, and especially photography. Photography itself is a marriage of science concept of fractals, the SMArties worked together to create and arts. It involves a lot of scientific principles, such as a giant model of a Sierpinski tetrahedron out of balloons. In the closing ceremony, every participant was presented optics and the chemical reactions for with a certificate for participating in the programme by Dr. developing photographs. Simultaneously, there is an Benny Ng, SMArt project director from HKU, and Ms. Maria element of art when creating the Lam, the Chief Marketing Officer of HKSTP. Dr. Ng was composition of a photo.” Students also honoured to co-organize the event with the HKSTP, were running in and out of the lab to further promote scientific and technological literacy to to take pictures around HKU, and everyone in Hong Kong. “Science, Mathematics and Art developing the pictures themselves in are not different compartments, but inter-connected with a makeshift dark room. Cherrie from one another. For example, fractal is one of the important Diocesan Girls’ School said “I joined missing pieces in modern science. Today, we make the this programme because it looked largest fractal balloon structure in Hong Kong. This is one pretty interesting. We don’t usually way using art to understand and illustrate the scientific get to do stuff like this in school, and and mathematical principles,” said Dr. Benny Ng. Ms. we’re learning to do new things. Right Maria Lam said, “we are truly delighted to see how the now we’re making a pinhole camera, young students are having such a great time learning, and working together to build the fractal pyramid. We sincerely which is fun.” On Day 2, all participants joined hope that more young people will be interested to further forces at the HKSTP for a grand finale: study and develop their future career in innovation and after learning about the mathematics technology that will make a strong impact to the society.”

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Learning how to take photographs allows students like Danni Yang to explore their environment and meet people they would otherwise be unlikely to come into contact with. “During my day out with the volunteers, I took a lot of beautiful photos and had a really good time,’’ says Yang, who attends Beijing Tongxin Experimental School, a school for the children of migrant workers. Wang Weiye, who attends the Shang-

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hai Minhang Minban Hongmei No.2 Primary School, shares the feeling. “I took part in the field trip and really appreciated the volunteers,’’ he says. Zheng Yangqing, from Guangzhou Kangle Elementary School, was excited by the scenery during a field trip with the Jebsen volunteers. Zheng’s schoolmate Zhang Ying was equally excited by the field trip, and enjoyed taking pictures and eating in a McDonald’s. “It was my most memorable day,’’ Zhang says.

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EDUCATION

Embracing the world of contemporary art Chris Davis

ontemporary artists working in a range of mediums can make apposite statements about modern-day society. To encourage that, Asia Art Archive (AAA), a not-for-profit organisation, is offering a number of public education programmes, including courses in contemporary art awareness designed for Hong Kongâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s younger generation. The specific target group for these youth and young adult programmes spans secondary school and university students aged 14 to 25, as well as young professionals who fall into that age range. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In Hong Kong, after Form Three, there are few opportunities for young people to gain exposure to contem-

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EDUCATION

With support from The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation, AAA runs a variety of campaigns including Learning Labs

porary art, unless they visit events such as Art Basel or continue to study art [more formally],” says Susanna Chung, AAA’s head of learning and participation. “We consider the whole of Hong Kong to be one large outdoor classroom for exploring contemporary art,” Chung says. One good example of AAA’s youth programmes is the annual spring session of Learning Labs. This series of collaborative peer-led activities includes interaction with artists, visits to studios and art spaces, and exhibition viewings. There are also issue-based discussions and hands-on exercises focusing on different artworks and related topics. “We provide opportunities for young audiences to develop and challenge

40 CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

their interests, using art as a method for inquiry and inspiration,’’ Chung says. The topics covered range from video and performance art to stand-alone events. As an example, pioneering artist Movanna Chen recently led a class exploring the relationship between art and human relationships with reference to the human body. In such cases, participants are asked to consider whether art is challenging, interesting or makes a statement, instead of focusing on whether it is good or aesthetically pleasing in the traditional sense. “Our programmes provide a platform for discussion and dialogue, which encourages young people in Hong Kong to approach art with a better understanding and appreciation,” Chung says.

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AAA offers an Active Voice Summer Camp for Form Six students who have completed DSE exams.

Besides documenting the recent history of contemporary art locally and across Asia, another AAA course invites young administrators and volunteers to detail the challenges and experiences they face with Form Six students. Also, “My Art Future” gives students a glimpse of what work or further study in the world of art would be like. In parallel, the PageNEXT programme helps volunteers to introduce and promote contemporary art to their peers and encourage students to engage actively as a means to self-discovery. To this end, AAA organises a summer camp for Secondary Six students who have recently completed Hong Kong DSE exams. Chung believes this can help them find their own identity while meeting and mixing with others who share similar interests. “These young people are at a complicated and important stage of their development, transitioning from adolescence and adapting into adulthood,” she says. “They are searching for identity, value systems, and making key decisions about their educational and vocational choices.”

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She also sees a strong link between the art world and the corporate environment, noting that contemporary art inspires people to think and appreciate innovation and creativity, characteristics employers often look for in their staff.

ondary School. “I also have a better understanding of the challenges a working artist faces, for example, how to stay true to yourself and believe in your artistic vision, though sometimes you have to take advice and make compromises.”

The Learning Labs programme and the summer camp provide a giveand-take experience for university students who volunteer to organise activities. They learn about collaboration, the power of teamwork, and basic management skills. Guided by AAA staff, they also gain practical experience running programmes and developing themes relevant to young people. In doing this, they can also serve as mentors for participants.

For Chu Hoi-ki of Kwun Tong Government Secondary School, the camp pointed the way to new insights and objectives. “In the past, I didn’t have any life goals, but after seeing the clear sense of direction of my fellow participants, I became more motivated and courageous in finding my own way.”

Students and volunteers who took part in AAA’s Active Voice Summer Camp last year described the experience as enlightening and empowering. “It opened my eyes to the presence of art in daily life and has given me the courage to express myself,” says Ip Lai-ying, a student at Yan Oi Tong Chan Wong Suk Fong Memorial Sec-

Hui Ting-ting of Buddhist Sin Tak College felt the best thing about the summer camp was making friends with like-minded individuals and finding a new sense of confidence. “I learned to stay true to my principles, and not be restricted or swayed by the opinions of others,” Hui says. Lemon Lam, a PageNEXT volunteer, says working on the AAA programmes increased her knowledge of contemporary art and gave her the confi-

dence and perseverance to pursue her studies. Expressing a similar sentiment, fellow volunteer Sam Wong says involvement with AAA provided new opportunities to see and appreciate art. “Art is a means through which I understand the world,” Wong says. “The experience opened my eyes to a more liberal way of thinking and gave me the perspective to see my path through life.”

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