The UNESCO Hong Kong Association held the 2024 Secondary School Model UNESCO Conference in Hong Kong on “Artificial Intelligence and Education”

Hong Kong, China, 24th July 2024, ZEX PR WIRE, Sponsored by Bank of China (Hong Kong) (BOCHK) and organized by the UNESCO Hong Kong Association (UHKA) and the Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development (HiESD) , the “2024 Secondary School Model UNESCO (MUNESCO) International Conference – Artificial Intelligence and Education” was grandly held in Hong Kong from July 20-21, 2024. This conference established a bridge for international youth exchange, bringing together student representatives from Poland, India, Nepal, Shanghai, Chengdu, Hainan, Shenyang, Shenzhen, Macau, and Hong Kong. It united global youth wisdom to explore the multidimensional synergies of artificial intelligence and education through debate and negotiation. Together, they drafted the “Youth Prospect on the use of AI in Education in Hong Kong,” presenting innovative solutions to promote Sustainable Development Goal 4 – Quality Education.

On the evening of July 20, the award ceremony and global youth exchange ceremony was held. The ceremony invited Professor Karen Cheung, President of the UNESCO Hong Kong Association and Director of the Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development, Professor Ng Hak-kim, GBS, JP, former Secretary for Education of Hong Kong, Ms. Blanka Golebiowska, Deputy Consul General of the Consulate General of Poland in Hong Kong; Mr. Bhoj Kumar Bhattarai, Deputy Consul of the Consulate General of Nepal in Hong Kong, Ms. Yip Lai Lai, Deputy General Manager of the Corporate Social Responsibility Office of BOCHK, and Dr. Shu Chang, Secretary-General of the Board of Directors of the Sprinkles Charity Foundation, Chief Economist for Bloomberg in the Asia as the officiating guest. The officiating guest kicked-off the ceremony by showing research reports and guidelines on artificial intelligence and education published by UNESCO, forming a timeline. Representatives from renown universities, school principals, teachers, youth ambassadors, as well as winning student representatives from past Model UNESCO conferences were also invited to the ceremony.

Front row officiating guests:

Professor Karen Cheung, President of the UNESCO Hong Kong Association and Director of the Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development (fifth from right)

Professor Ng Hak-kim, GBS, JP, former Secretary for Education of Hong Kong (fifth from left)

Front row from left:

Mr. Dion Chen, MH, Chairperson of the Hong Kong Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools Council (first);

Prof. Yeung Siu Sze Susanna, Associate Vice President (Quality Assurance) of The Education University of Hong Kong (second);

rof. Chun LAI, Head of the Academic Unit of Language and Literacy Education of The Faculty of Education of the University of Hong Kong(third);

Ms.Blanka GOLEBIOWSKA, Deputy Consul General of the Consulate General of Poland in Hong Kong (fourth);

Yip Lai Lai, Deputy General Manager of the Corporate Social Responsibility Office of the BOCHK (seventh);

Mr Bhoj Kumar Bhattarai, Vice Consul of the Consulate General of Nepal in Hong Kong (eighth);

Dr. SHU Chang, Secretary-General of the Board of Directors of the Sprinkles Charity Foundation, Chief Economist for Bloomberg in the Asia region (ninth);

Mr Marius Chow, Head (Talent Development) of The Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (tenth)

Professor Karen Cheung delivered the welcome speech at the ceremony, emphasizing that AI is rapidly integrating into our education and teaching, in addition to bringing new vitality to education, it also promotes the transformation of teaching and management models, enabling education to explore new directions amidst constant change. The conference’s alignment with UNESCO’s focus on education and artificial intelligence, as well as the global advancement of UN Sustainable Development Goals. Through interactive and youth-led experiential learning activities, the conference aims to empower youth, cultivate interdisciplinary critical skills such as systemic thinking, strategic thinking, collaboration, critical thinking, and integrated problem-solving, inspiring an organic integration of diverse cultures and thoughts.

In the officiating remarks, Mr. Ng Hak-kim praised the innovation of this conference and its importance to international youth exchanges. He mentioned that, today, with the rapid development of science and technology, youths are the steersman of creating a sustainable future, and the topics of this is exactly what the youth need to pay most attention to. He hopes that the students participating in this conference can reflect on the outcomes of the discussion, to explore them in greater depth and contribute to future education and scientific innovation.

The ceremony also featured the “Sustainable Development – Youth in Action” Roundtable, where UNESCO Hong Kong Association Green Citizens Youth Ambassadors shared interdisciplinary collaboration in promoting sustainable development. They also presented perspectives on how artificial intelligence enhances education from the viewpoints of university students and young professionals. During the international cultural performance session of the ceremony, students showcased traditional Chinese Instrument, Indian Bollywood Dance, Polish cultural introduction, guitar, and opera performances, adding vibrancy to the event.

In order to allow students to further experience the application of artificial intelligence in financial technology, the UHKA and BOCHK have arranged enriching study tours, including visits to BOCHKA Innovation Laboratory to learn about federated learning, generative artificial intelligence, and other cutting-edge financial technologies, as well as engaging in discussion sessions on designing electronic banking service platforms. In addition, BOCHK also actively promotes the development of culture and art and arranged the visit to the Hong Kong Palace Museum and the special exhibition “I.M. Pei: Life is like Architecture” at the M+ Museum for the participating students to showcase the cultural charm of Hong Kong and China and experience the integration of culture.

This conference not only served as a youth platform for exchanging ideas on artificial intelligence and education but also as a cultural celebration. It opened a window for young participants to understand diverse world cultures, while showcasing Hong Kong’s efforts and achievements in promoting sustainable development and technological innovation. By fostering global youth collaboration, it aims to collectively explore a bright future for artificial intelligence and education.

More information: https://unesco.hk/web/munesco-conference-ai/

Enquiry: +852-2312-7696 / esd@unesco.hk

List of Awardees:

Best Delegation: ELCHK Lutheran Academy – Angelina Au Yeung、Ann Ann Leung、Cindy Hui（the delegation of Switzerland）

Outstanding Delegation：

The Chinese Foundation Secondary School (Hong Kong) – Tai Cho Fung Woody、Kwok Chue Ngai Bernard（the delegation of Saudi Arabia）

Shenzhen Cuiyuan Middle School – Li Qianxi、Gao Zexin（the delegation of Finland）

Special Recognition：

Chengdu No.7 High School – Zhang Xinbei、Liang Yidan（the delegation of Germany）

Heritage International Xperiential School (India)  – Ayaan Tandon、Trisha Kara、Arush Mukker（the delegation of India）

Shanghai SMIC Private School, Shanghai Hongwen International School – Yutong Zhang、Weihang (Alex) Shan、Wanshu Tai（the delegation of Canada）

Best Strategy:

ELCHK Lutheran Academy – Cassley Chan、Brian Tang、Jayden Chan（the delegation of Spain）

Pui Ching Middle School Macau – Pun Chi Kin（the delegation of the United Kingdom）

Heritage International Xperiential School(India) Sohana Luthra、Kunal Taneja、Anish Garg（the delegation of Jamaica）

Best Delegate：Shenzhen Cuiyuan Middle School – Li Qianxi

Outstanding Delegate：

Pui Ching Middle School Macau – Pun Chi Kin, The Chinese Foundation Secondary School (Hong Kong) – Tai Cho Fung Woody, ELCHK Lutheran Academy – Ibrahim Malik

Best speaker：Heritage International Xperiential School (India) – Mrityunjay Rai Nagpal、Chengdu No.7 High School – Liang Yidan、ŻAGLE Liceum Ogólnokształcące Stowarzyszenia STERNIK (Poland) – Marek Nita-Jagielski

Schools of Finalists:

• Diocesan Girls’ School (Hong Kong)

• ELCHK Lutheran Academy

• Guangzhou Huangpu Suyuan School

• Guangzhou No.2 High School

• Haikou Middle School

• Hainan Overseas Chinese Middle School, Meilisha

• Heritage International Xperiential School (India)

• Hetauda School of Management (Nepal)

• HKUGA College

• ISF Academy (Hong Kong)

• Kowloon True Light School (Hong Kong)

• Liceum Strumienie Stowarzyszenia Sternik (Poland)

• Northeast Yucai School

• Pope Paul VI College (Hong Kong)

• Pui Ching Middle School Macau

• Shanghai Hongwen School Pudong

• Shanghai Jincai High School

• Shanghai Jincai Highschool International Division

• Shanghai SMIC Private School

• Shenzhen Cuiyuan Middle School

• Sichuan Chengdu No.7 High School

• Paul’s Co-Educational College (Hong Kong)

• Paul’s College (Hong Kong)

• The Chinese Foundation Secondary School (Hong Kong)

• ŻAGLE Liceum Ogólnokształcące Stowarzyszenia STERNIK (Polanad)

Acknowledgement:

Title Sponsor: Bank of China (Hong Kong)
Co – Organiser: Sprinkles (HK) Charity Foundation Limited

Supporting Organisations:

• Education Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government of the People’s Republic of China

• Innovation, Technology and IndustryBureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government of the People’s Republic of China

• College of Professional and Continuing Education, Hong Kong Polytechnic University

• Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong

• The Education University of Hong Kong

• The Education University of Hong Kong Alumni Association

• The Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers

• Hong Kong Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools Council

• The Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education

• Sustainable Development Solutions Network (Hong Kong)

Supporting Consulates:

• British Consulate General Hong Kong

• Consulate General of Colombia in Hong Kong

• Consulate General of Germanyin Hong Kong

• Consulate General of Italy in Hong Kong

• Consulate General of Mexicoin Hong Kong

• Consulate General of the Philippines in Hong Kong

• Consulate General of Poland in Hong Kong

Conference Background

What is Model UNESCO?

Model UNESCO is an educational event in which participants play the role of representatives of UNESCO Member States, simulating meetings that take place within the organization. They gain insight into international issues and how international politics works, with a focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) and learn how to communicate and negotiate with others to achieve a more sustainable future.

From 2022 to 2023, the UNESCO Hong Kong Association (UNESCO HKA) and the Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development hosted three Model UNESCO (MUNESCO) conferences, with themes of “The Future of Education,” “Climate Sustainability,” and “World Heritage,” respectively. These sessions attracted nearly a thousand students from Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, including participants from renowned schools, and received enthusiastic responses.

The conference has consistently garnered national and international attention. It has been supported and guided by the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO and has received support and congratulations messages from various consulates in Hong Kong, including those of Australia, Brazil, Britain, Colombia, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Pakistan, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, and Spain.

The UNESCO HKA is committed to providing students with more opportunities to broaden their horizons, develop interdisciplinary skills, inspire innovative thinking, and promote international exchange. For the award-winning students, visits to the Hong Kong Observatory, study tours on world heritage in Macau were organised, and the conference has also published the “Students’ Proposals on Reducing Plastic Pollution in Hong Kong” and the “Youth Declaration on Protecting World Heritage” on international platforms to amplify the voices of youth globally. In August this year, the UNESCO HKA will sponsor outstanding student representatives to participate in the third Model UNESCO International Conference hosted by the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres, and Associations in Kazakhstan, where they will join youth representatives from 58 countries and regions to continue the discussion on artificial intelligence and education.