Listen to #Hashtag Hong Kong every Sunday morning at 8.15
Focusing on issues affecting civil society, we'll hear from representatives of NGOs, associations, statutory bodies, and non-profit groups.
(Sundays 8.15am - 8.25am)
Good morning Hong Kong! On this first Sunday of 2026, I wish everyone a Happy New Year filled with hope, and all things bright and beautiful.
When we speak of the arts, what comes to mind? Performances? Exhibitions?
Perhaps your child’s dance showcase? For many professionals, the arts might be something in the back of their mind. But there’s actually a deeper, quieter power in the arts that can transform lives from within.
Let me share a story. Mr. Lee, an educator, once told us after a workshop: “Life has always been full of responsibilities. My daily routine was dull, just rushing to finish one task after another. The workshop made me realise that the arts lit up a dark cavern within me. I hope they become a set of keys for the rest of my life!” What moved him so deeply? It was more than a break from routine. The arts offered an interactive platform that engaged his emotions, sparked his imagination, and giving him a creative voice.
At the Absolutely Fabulous Theatre Connection or AFTEC, we focus on reigniting creativity. While our shows and exhibitions represent the more visible aspect of the arts, we also explore their deeper, transformative powers to create lasting social impact.
AFTEC's programs are built on strong partnerships that typically last one to three years, allowing the true magic of the arts to unfold over time. Consider the impact: so far, more than a quarter of a million students have participated in our theatre productions and various other initiatives.
A student struggling with behavior issues finds stability through the Sm-ART Youth program, which spans three years. Teenagers from disadvantaged backgrounds have won Bravo! theatre awards—one of the students has become a rising film star, while the other is now a professional dancer.
In addition, at HKU’s Medical School, future doctors develop their skills in human connection through our arts-based workshops. Why? To nuture the interpersonal abilities that no machine can replicate.
Here’s our insight: when executed effectively, arts education transforms perspectives. It opens windows and reveals new landscapes. In an age where knowledge is just a click away, creative mindsets are essential for helping both children and adults thrive.
As you know, economic poverty is devastating; however, the poverty of imagination can be just as harmful to our future. Underdeveloped imaginations confine many to a monotonous daily routine, leaving little room for inspiration. Despite advances in technology making repetitive tasks easier, valuable capacities and human potential remain untapped.
This untapped potential is our city's greatest asset because people are our most valuable resources. So, how do we cultivate it? Not by adding more tasks to the grind, but by fundamentally changing the environment in which our minds develop. This requires a shift in perspective.
First, we must prioritize the depth of creative learning over its speed. Our educational and enrichment programs should embrace a slower pace. This isn't about dismissing achievement, but about finding the right balance. Over the past five years, our Jockey Club Creative Futures program has exemplified this approach. The true reward is not just a year-end showcase but a community of practitioners dedicated to nurturing talent through critical thinking, empathy, and creative confidence.
Second, we need to reimagine the arts as the primary means of fostering human connection in an age dominated by algorithms. Beyond performances, the arts cultivate curiosity, aesthetic awareness, and critical thinking, enabling meaningful conversations. When medical students at HKU participate in our drama and movement workshops, they're not just learning to act; they’re honing their abilities to read non-verbal cues, understand patient narratives, and build the empathetic resilience necessary for leadership.
Finally, the future belongs to connectors. We must transition from subject-based training to interdisciplinary thinking. Since 2017, AFTEC has trained teachers and artists to co-design and co-teach, fostering creative partnership in classrooms. This integration of disciplines is essential for developing the broader, interconnected thinking that unlocks new solutions.
Imagine expanding this ecosystem: if parents had tools for fostering creative conversations at home and corporations embraced these workshops for their teams, artistic intelligence would complement artificial intelligence, unlocking a collective potential unmatched by technology.
This New Year, let’s recognise the arts as vital as the air we breathe, nurturing the creative and resilient minds that are Hong Kong’s greatest asset. Thank you, may your 2026 be filled with imagination.
Did you know that over 90% of deaf or children with hearing loss are born to hearing parents? For most families, the diagnosis is unexpected, and the journey ahead is full of unfamiliar challenges. But with the right support, no family has to walk alone. Let me share with you the journeys of two extraordinary children and their families—stories that have moved us deeply and show the hope and strength that can grow from even the hardest beginnings. The first is about a little girl, Mary, who at just six months old was diagnosed with meningitis. The illness left her with hearing loss, but it wasn’t discovered until she was four years old. For years, her world was far quieter than it should have been. She was fitted with hearing aids at four, and by five, she came to our Early Education and Training Centre for speech therapy. When I first met her, she had barely any words to share her thoughts with her family or classmates. And yet, her determination shone through—she was always trying to communicate, using gestures, sounds, and expressive looks to reach out, even when words couldn’t fully express her needs. Her mother, from a low-income background, carried an enormous sense of guilt and uncertainty. She had high hopes for her daughter, but the road ahead was full of unknowns. Facing various hearing assessments and navigating the educational system, she felt overwhelmed and alone. And this is where the power of teamwork changed everything. Our team worked closely with doctors and audiologists to explore all options for Mary, including the recommendation of cochlear implant surgery to improve her hearing. At the same time, we facilitated visits to suitable special schools, ensuring Mary and her mother gained a thorough understanding of each step and decision. Thanks to everyone’s commitment, Mary was able to transfer to a school with specialized support. There, she finally had access to teachers who understood her needs, therapists who could help her grow, and a community that believed in her potential. Today, Mary is thriving—using sentences and signs, laughing with friends, and sharing her ideas with her family. Her mother’s guilt has been replaced by hope and pride, and now her daughter truly has a voice—one that is heard and valued. The second story is equally powerful. Another young girl, Kate, came to us with a significant hearing loss present since birth. Like so many, her condition went unnoticed until later. When she arrived at our Centre, she had a limited vocabulary of single words—her world of expression significantly smaller than her world of ideas. Kate’s mother collaborated closely with our team, and we assessed Kate's specific needs and provided tailored individual and group training, which included auditory rehabilitation, speech, language, and fluency. What moved us most was the humility and gratitude of Kate’s mother. She told us that although she came for her daughter’s sake, she ended up learning resilience from her child. It was her daughter’s perseverance and determination that inspired her to grow stronger as a parent and as a person. These are the reasons our work at the Hong Kong Society for the Deaf matters. As the largest NGO in Hong Kong supporting the Deaf community, we walk with families every step of the way. We provide audiological assessments, speech therapy, educational support, counselling, and guidance on hearing aids and cochlear implants—not as individuals, but as a team, supporting each child and family together. Most importantly, we help every family find the meaning of communication. Not every child will speak. Not every child will sign. What matters is that they are understood, included, and respected. That’s why your generous support is incredibly important. Your donation helps us reach more families and individuals with hearing loss. Together, we can create a world where children with hearing loss are seen for their promise, not their limitations. To learn more about our work or to make a donation, please visit our website at www.deaf.org.hk. As I close, I want to dedicate a song that has brought comfort and courage to so many—“You’ll Never Walk Alone”by Gerry & The Pacemakers. Its message is one of hope, solidarity, and community: no matter how hard the road or how fierce the storm, we walk forward together, and no one is left behind. That’s what we believe—and that’s what we work for, every day. Let’s build a Hong Kong where every child’s voice—in whatever form—truly matters.
