Hong Kong, view from the Peak

Hong Kong, “Cage Homes”

Hong KongRethinking its core values and competitive edge.

The awakening of civic awareness of the post 80s and 90s generation pushed changes in urban renewal and conservation policies, and prompted many to think: how should Hong Kong develop in the 21st century?

While young people become more vocal, social problems have also become more acute.

Property prices are so high that people have to spend 30 years to pay off their mortgage; the population is ageing, pollution is worsening; new immigrants challenge our tolerance. Among these, poverty is our biggest challenge. HK has the widest wealth gap in the developed world (with a Gini coefficient of 43.4)

What does social innovation mean in Hong Kong?

“social innovation” is not used at all by the Hong Kong government. There is policy and funding to support social enterprises (which must be charities), and such policy is hidden under “Social Harmony and Civic Education” of the Home Affairs Bureau

Social enterprises are seen narrowly as tools for social unity and job creation.

Social innovation, as workable ideas to drive social change, is not commonly understood and promoted.

Why is social innovation not understood in Hong Kong?

Hong Kong’s decision makers and even legislators are risk- averse. There is no culture of innovation

There is also no culture of participation. People tend to rely on the government to tackle social problems because the government is not short of cash. We have over HK$2,200 billion in our reserves. same time, UNDP report in 2009 showed that Hong Kong Local social entrepreneurs believe that we must first push people to think “social” and understand our social needs, before they could be innovators and changemakers.

Who does social innovation in Hong Kong?

While the government tends to stick to old models and lag behind in innovative thinking, a small circle of boundary crossers and advocates with business, industrial, professional and media backgrounds has taken the lead to drive social change

In the last two years, some social finance and support structures have also been set up.

Government funding (which was not intended for social innovation) has nevertheless been a source to kick start innovative projects.

Who does social innovation in Hong Kong?

Participatory planning, designing and revitalizing with users of the Blue House – St James Settlement, Heritage Hong Kong, Community Cultural Concern

Who does social innovation? -- Senior Citizens Home Safety Association’s “Personal Emergency Link”

connect PE Link users (eg elderly people who live alone, the disabled etc) through an advanced communication system to a 24-hour PE Link Centre service users can speak to an operator through the main unit at home. Operators will then identify the needs of the caller and provide the necessary support services.Over 60,000 users pay HK$100 per month for the service

Who does social innovation?

Dialogue in the Dark, Concert in the Dark etc, although not concepts originating from Hong Kong, have nevertheless been able to pull off and was set up by a large group of social entrepreneurs with private funding in Hong Kong

Who promotes social innovation?

Other New initiatives

Diamond Cab (a new taxi service for the disabled)Gaia School – a “nature” school in the New Territories, and the School of CreativityMake A Difference (MaD) youth platform

Social Innovation Award – founded by SVHK to get the public to think about social innovation and generate ideas for social change

Social Enterprise Summit – now in its third year, is Hong Kong’s largest gathering of social entrepreneurs and innovators in Greater China

HSBC Social Enterprise Business Centre – set up by the Hong Kong Council of Social Services

1 KG More 多背一公斤

Andrew Yue

pioneering voluntourism

The idea of social innovation is spreading fast in mainland China

social finance structures and intermediary organizations

Social Ventures Hong KongSocial Investors Club

Social Enterprise Challenge for university studentsMaD (Make A Difference Award) partnering with Ashoka to launch Youth Venture and support “Dream It Do It” innovation projects

SOW AsiaRiver Star FoundationGovernment funding (such as CreateSmart Initiative, funder of MaD)

Are there any support structures for social innovation?

The support structure does not come from government nor business

The present mistrust (between government and business, and citizens on the other) has become an obstacle to supporting and welcoming innovative ideas

MaD could become a support structure for the empowerment of young people to be the change

We await the continual participation of the next generation in Hong Kong to push for social change and put forward innovative ideas to address unmet social needs

Hong Kong Institute of Contemporary Culture

We have opened an innovative school for students aged 15 to 18 where education is more personalized rather than standardized, where freedom and discipline co-exist, where teachers are mentors and friends of kidults, and where the students’ voice is valued and heard

HKICC Lee Shau Kee School of Creativity

Hong Kong Institute of Contemporary Culture

We have launched the MaD platform to redefine “youth” and push young people to lead change

Social innovation in Hong Kong will be led by young people

Young people and Facebook just saved a pristine beach from the bulldozerYoung people are helping villagers to build Hong Kong’s first eco village with organic farming emphasizing energy efficiency and irrigation methodsThey will lead mindset change, entrench participatory planning and decision making, and construct a new sense of home and belongingMany more stand on the side of eggs against the high wall to make Hong Kong a more just and equitable place to live