Masterclass Czechia-Hong Kong SDG/ESG Exchange: Connecting Experts for a Sustainable Future
18.11.2024 / 01:06 | Aktualizováno: 17.12.2024 / 01:26
As part of the project “The Czech SDG Way: Awarding Champions as a Way Forward”, the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Hong Kong organized a conference titled “Masterclass Czechia-Hong Kong SDG/ESG Exchange.” The event was held in collaboration with the local partner Social Enterprise Summit (SES) at Wyndham Social (sponsor venue). The event was funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The primary goal of the conference was to connect experts from the Czech Republic and Hong Kong to discuss key topics related to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. The conference featured an in-person presentation by Tereza Novosadová Ocetková from the Czech Association of Corporate Social Responsibility, alongside two local experts, Paul Pong and Eric Ho. Additional Czech experts—Eva Nečasová, Petr Václavek, Renata Klánová, and David Michalička—contributed online.
Key Moments and Discussions
The program commenced with Tereza Novosadová Ocetková, who introduced the prestigious SDG Awards and emphasized the importance of supporting innovative sustainability projects. Her presentation was followed by Eva Nečasová, who introduced this year’s winning project AI for Children, which won the award for innovative use of artificial intelligence in education.
The first panel discussion focused on evaluating ESG as an effective tool for promoting sustainability. Tereza Novosadová Ocetková introduced the Czech ESG ranking, while Petr Václavek shared experiences with the Decarbonizer tool. Paul Pong provided a Hong Kong perspective on ESG and its local application. The second discussion offered practical examples of community involvement. Renata Klánová presented the Decision 21 platform, which supports participatory decision-making by citizens, and David Michalička, Mayor of Říčany, presented successful projects from his city. Eric Ho contributed a case study focusing on community-oriented architectural projects in Hong Kong. The final part of the program was dedicated to networking activities, which allowed participants to share experiences and form new partnerships.
Together for a Sustainable Future
The conference confirmed the strong position of the Czech Republic in the field of sustainability and highlighted the importance of public-private sector collaboration in finding innovative solutions to global challenges. The project also demonstrated that community engagement is a key element in building sustainable cities and societies. Last but not least, the event underscored the significance of international cooperation and the exchange of experiences between the Czech Republic and Hong Kong.