Operation Santa Claus: Hong Kong NGOs must foster new generation of innovators to capitalise on city’s philanthropy growth
- ‘There is a timely need to nurture this new or future generation of NGO leaders to the maintain effective functioning of NGOs’, scholar with leadership programme says
- Joint HKU-UBS Sustainable and Social Innovation Leadership Programme enjoys support of charity Wofoo Foundation and fundraising drive Operation Santa Claus
NGOs in Hong Kong must foster a new generation of innovative and sustainable leaders amid a period of challenges and opportunities as the city develops into a hub for philanthropy, the organisers of a training scheme have said.
“With the recent wave of baby-boomer retirement and emigration of middle-aged professionals, many local NGOs face challenges of a succession plan and have to appoint relatively green leaders,” said Lucy Jordan, an associate professor with the Department of Social Work and Social Administration at the University of Hong Kong (HKU).
The department joined Swiss-based global investment bank UBS to organise the HKU-UBS Sustainable and Social Innovation Leadership Programme (SSILP), which launched on April 27 and enjoys the support of local charity Wofoo Foundation and fundraising campaign Operation Santa Claus (OSC).
“There is a timely need to nurture this new or future generation of NGO leaders to maintain the effective functioning of the NGOs, which will eventually benefit society as a whole,” Jordan explained.
Under the tutelage and mentorship of UBS Hong Kong senior leaders, HKU academics and experienced NGO chiefs, programme participants receive training in areas such as strategic thinking, effective communication, risk management and media competency.
Two HK$400,000 (US$50,966) cash awards are also given to selected projects proposed by participants, who represent 30 NGOs and social enterprises.
Organisers have also said they aim to expand the programme to other parts of the Greater Bay Area in the future, referring to Beijing’s ambitious plan to link Hong Kong, Macau and nine southern Chinese cities into an economic powerhouse.
Operation Santa Claus raises HK$16.7 million to support Hong Kong charities
Amy Lo Choi-wan, head and chief executive of UBS’s Hong Kong branch, said the programme would equip NGOs with the expertise, resources and networks required to make a sustainable impact.
Highlighting the importance of innovation and sustainability for NGOs, Lo said: “We are now in a world where changes are the only constant. On the back of Covid and digital transformation across different industries and sectors, it might be helpful for NGOs to catch up and leverage on innovation to effect change.”
“And even more important is how this can be done more sustainably.”
The UBS Hong Kong chief executive also urged NGOs to level up and capitalise on the city’s potential as a hub for philanthropy.
“We are seeing more interest in philanthropy investment and opportunities that allow Hong Kong to be a future philanthropy hub. The non-profit sector could look at forging more partnerships with corporates and philanthropists to scale up its impact,” she said.
The programme also receives advice and publicity thanks to its ties to OSC, an annual fundraising campaign jointly organised by the South China Morning Post and public broadcaster RTHK.
We are pleased to support Operation Santa Claus: Hong Kong stock exchange
“This is a very valuable programme and it’s an ideal project for OSC to support,” said Jim Gould, RTHK’s head of English programme service.
“OSC has been going since 1988, we’ve just had our 35th anniversary, and in that time we’ve raised nearly HK$370 million for almost 340 charity projects. So we have a great deal of experience in dealing with NGOs and supporting their work in the community.”
Wofoo Foundation chairman Joseph Lee Chung-tak said he hoped programme participants would develop both a passion and the ability to serve Hong Kong.
“We want to encourage an attitude of serving others and Hong Kong as a whole,” he said.
