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.”
© 2024 The Zubin Mahtani Gidumal Foundation Limited (registered charity in Hong Kong - IR 91/12344). All rights reserved.
THE ZUBIN FOUNDATION Improving the lives of Hong Kong’s ethnic minorities by reducing suffering and providing opportunities
As we celebrate the creativity and hard work of all participants, The Zubin Foundation calls on the Hong Kong population to embrace racial diversity and sustainability. Together, we can create an inclusive and vibrant future for Hong Kong. “Get involved! Whether through mentorship, volunteering, or simply spreading the word, every effort counts in making our city a better place for all,” encouraged Mahtani. Notes to Editor WeDesign Hong Kong Competition Series The Zubin Foundation and Arup have started the yearly WeDesign Hong Kong Competition series since 2021. Every year, the contestants are invited to identify a location for them to re-design and propose solutions, in order to better the neighbourhood by enhancing the inclusion and sustainability. WeDesign Hong Kong 4.0 (Q4, 2024) In 2024, WeDesign Hong Kong 4.0 has a specific focus on intergenerational collaboration by inviting both parents and children to work together as teams. The theme of intergeneration not only cultivates a sense of belonging among ethnic minorities but also empowers families to contribute their unique perspectives and ideas for the future of Hong Kong. WeDesign Hong Kong 4.0 Competition comprises of 3 stages: - Stage 1: Workshop on Urban Design and Sustainability o Led by experts from Arup and staff from The Zubin Foundation (October – November 2024) - Stage 2: Small Group Mentorship (November 2024) o Participants divided into small groups, collaborate to redesign a specific location in Hong Kong, with the support from Arup’s staff. - Stage 3: Final Presentation & Award Ceremony (13 December 2024) o Participants present their innovative ideas through short presentations and models. Winners will be announced immediately following the presentation. o Judges: ▪ Theresa Yeung, Director, East Asia Community Engagement Chair, and East Asia Cities, Planning and Design Leader, Arup ▪ Shalini Mahtani, Founder and CEO, The Zubin Foundation ▪ Aruna Gurung, Yau Tsim Mong District Councillor
© 2024 The Zubin Mahtani Gidumal Foundation Limited (registered charity in Hong Kong - IR 91/12344). All rights reserved.
THE ZUBIN FOUNDATION Improving the lives of Hong Kong’s ethnic minorities by reducing suffering and providing opportunities
Photo from Final Presentation & Award Ceremony on 13 December 2024
The team comprising ethnic minority family from different generations presenting with enthusiasm to our judges: Theresa Yeung, Aruna Gurung, and Shalini Mahtani. Download
Joyful moment of team of ethnic minority youth with dedicated Arup volunteer, surrounded by smiles and gratitude!
Group photo (all guests, participants and Arup volunteers)
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About The Zubin Foundation The Zubin Mahtani Gidumal Foundation, also known as The Zubin Foundation, is a charity committed to improving the lives of Hong Kong’s ethnic minorities by reducing suffering and providing opportunities. For more information, please visit: www.zubinfoundation.org Press / General Enquiries Ms Sandy Chan, The Zubin Foundation (Onsite) Tel: 6421 2677 / Email: sandy@zubinfoundation.org
Mr Matthew Yu, The Zubin Foundation (Post-Event) Tel: 6084 9333 / Email: matthew@zubinfoundation.org
Ms Janet Chan, Arup Tel: 2908 4921/ Email: janet.chan@arup.com
© 2024 The Zubin Mahtani Gidumal Foundation Limited (registered charity in Hong Kong - IR 91/12344). All rights reserved.