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City Weekend
Hong KongEducation

Meet the 16-year-old schoolboy who wants to redefine Hong Kong

Joseph Wan is challenging young minds to think about how they can better their city

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From left: Bryan Tang, 18, Kerry Hsu, 16, Ian Chu (centre), 16, Joseph Wan, 16, Dannel Hsing, 15, and Katherine Yang, 16, founders of Support International Foundation. Photo: Edward Wong
Rachel Blundy

He may be just 16 years old, but ­Joseph Wan is the driving force behind a conference on Saturday where he is challenging young Hongkongers to redefine their city.

Joseph is the founder and president of Support International Foundation, an NGO that is staging a youth leadership event which will see secondary school students debate topics including the environment, political freedom, education and poverty.

They are expected to discuss their ideas with guest panellists from leading community organisations as they consider how they would overhaul the city.

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The 16-year-old Chinese International School student founded his organisation, which provides educational programmes to some of Hong Kong’s low-income schools, two years ago.

“I really hope the participants leave the conference with a deeper understanding of the issues we face in Hong Kong,” he said.

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“It’s a gross generalisation, but I think a lot of young students, especially those from affluent backgrounds, are unaware of their surroundings and the issues most people in Hong Kong face in their day-to-day lives.

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