Category: FGG Summit

Categories
FGG Summit Ideathon JYCGIF

Superpowers Unleashed: FutureGEN Girls Leadership Summit 2024

Inspires 300+ Teen Girls to “Act for Their Futures”

In its third year, the FGG Summit became a member of 2024 youthfest@HK, empowering teen girls to identify strengths, embrace challenges as opportunities, and take bold action

The FutureGEN Girls Leadership Summit 2024 (the Summit), organized by the JYC Girls Impact Foundation (JYCGIF) and supported by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, Hang Seng Bank , CTF Education Group and 13 other organizations, took place on November 9, 2024, at the Hong Kong Palace Museum, drawing over 300 teen girls to discover their “superpowers” and take purposeful action to become the leaders of tomorrow.

Now in its third year, the Summit was recognised by the Youth Development Commission as an official partner event of the 2024 youthfest@HK, “engaging and helping the youth to develop their potential, enhance their knowledge, and share their experiences.”  The Summit’s theme this year, “Find Your Superpower: Aspiring Future Leaders for Action,” encouraged teens to identify their unique gifts, face challenges head-on, and take proactive steps toward shaping their futures. In the past three years, JYCGIF has organized over 100 events, drawing more than 7,000 participants.

Miss. Alice Mak, SBS, JP, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, served as Summit Guest of Honour. Officiating at the Opening Ceremony, Ms. Mak said: “The new initiative in the Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address emphasizes women’s workplace development. The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau will establish a network with female leaders from various sectors and launch the ‘She Inspires’ mentorship program, pairing female university students with senior management mentors, and providing relevant training and activities to cultivate more ‘hold up half the sky’ talent, allowing women to shine in the workplace. Additionally, the Bureau has implemented several initiatives related to women in the past few months, including hosting the first Family and Women’s Development Summit on October 9 and launching a one-stop information portal for families and women earlier last month, which consolidates information on family education, women’s health, and shares relevant legal information.”

In her Keynote Speech, Ms. Diana Cesar, JP, Executive Director and Chief Executive of Hang Seng Bank, said, “I believe that unlimited potential lies within every individual, when we dare to explore and try new things, we’ll always gain something valuable along the way.” She also encouraged young people to seize every opportunity and live life to the fullest.

A Powerhouse of Inspiring Leaders
Meanwhile, the Summit’s Main Panel, “Superpower in Action: From Challenges to Leadership,” moderated by Ms. Secy Cheung, Founding Board Director, FutureGen Girls Foundation, brought together a powerhouse of women leaders and trailblazers, including:  Ms. Janice Lee, CEO of Viu & PCCW Media Group and Chairman of  HKTVE Ltd (Viu TV); Ms Joanna Kwok Chief Engineer at Anglo-Eastern Ship Management Ltd, the first woman in Hong Kong to pass the licensing exam for Chief Engineer Officer on oceangoing vessels; Ms. Donna Tang, Executive Manager, Charities (Talent & Sector Development), The Hong Kong Jockey Club and Deputy Secretary-General (Secretariat and Core Operations), Institute of Philanthropy; and Ms. Ho Yuen Kei , China 2024 Paris Paralympic Games Double Gold Medalist and Boccia Athlete from Team Hong Kong. Each panelist shared her own personal journey, offering stories of resilience, growth, and determination, encouraging teen girls to embrace challenges, build confidence, and seize opportunities for the future.

The Summit also featured a “Future Readiness Lab”, designed to empower participants with digital and soft skills, as well as practical career advice for the future. Dr. Alfred Tse from Preface led a session on embracing AI, introducing participants to the vast potential of artificial intelligence to shape their futures. Ms. Gigi Li, Founder of the Curated Style conducted a workshop on how the “power of color” can boost confidence and enhance self-expression; and Professor Ava Kwong, Chairman, Hong Kong Hereditary Breast Cancer Family Registry, and Professor Terence Wong, Associate Professor and Undergraduate Coordinator, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, guided participants in a session on career flexibility and adaptability, offering strategies to navigate an ever-evolving professional landscape with agility and confidence.

At the Summit, the New Technology Interactive Zone offered a lively space for teen girls to connect with industry leaders and explore future-focused tech. Highlights included music, art, and robotics, featuring a performance by the Musical Chaos Foundation ambassador and a project from Dr. Roberto Alonso Trillo and Dr. Peter Nelson from Hong Kong Baptist University. The Metabow, a sensor-equipped violin bow, showcased tech-enhanced music. Illumina’s DNA sequencing advancements were featured in the Biotechnology Showcase, while Prenetics provided hands-on biotech workshops and career insights.


The IdeaGO Ideathon Finale
The highlight of the day was the IdeaGO Ideathon Finale, where 5 teams of teen girls presented innovative solutions to societal challenges they had been working on for months! Before the audience and judging panel, teams presented their projects, which covered: Challenges and / or opportunities faced by women in society, Environment and sustainable living, Health and wellbeing, and Sports and Fitness. The winners took home awards for their innovative solutions:

The Champion – Deeply Hidden (Cotton Spinners Association Secondary School): A Smart Compost Bin combines Arduino programming and 3D printing to efficiently process kitchen waste using earthworms.

1st Runner-up – Eagle Eye (St. Paul’s Secondary School): BIRD is an automated drone that patrols wetlands, using AI to detect large machinery and lingering individuals. It triggers alarms and captures evidence while monitoring environmental conditions and increasing patrols in damaged areas.

2nd Runner-up Winner – Thyme (Carmel Pak U Secondary School): “Move It” is a free fitness app designed to help users exercise correctly at home, featuring AI posture correction and rewards for low-income individuals. It will also support seniors with voice navigation in familiar dialects to encourage regular physical activity.

“You are the future leaders, the ones who will help shape the Greater Bay Area into a global innovation hub; but leadership isn’t about having all the answers – it’s about having the courage to act, to take the first step, learn from your experiences, and keep moving forward no matter the obstacles,” Mrs. Jennifer Yu Cheng, FGG Summit Organizing Committee Chairperson and CTF Education Group President and Deputy Vice Chairwoman, told a packed audience of teen girls. “Today isn’t the end of your journey – it’s the beginning of a new chapter. When you leave here, I hope you carry with you the tools, the confidence, and the belief in your own abilities to continue discovering who you are, growing your skills, and leading with your superpowers!”

At the Closing Ceremony, the Summit organizer invited Ms. Secy Cheung, Founding Board Director, FutureGen Girls Foundation, to unveil the FutureGen Young Women Leaders Award, recognizing teen girls who have dedicated themselves to realizing their full potential through the development of future-ready skills and leadership experiences culminating in empowering accomplishments. The Award is organized by the FutureGen Girls Foundation, a charitable organization on a mission to inspire, equip, and educate girls with the essential skills to navigate life’s challenges and cultivate their unique strengths and talents; and empower teen girls and young women to become leaders who drive positive change in society. The Award currently has nearly 60 supporting organizations, including JYC Girls Impact Foundation, and an advisory group of over 30 leaders from 20 industries. On 1st November 2024, enrollment in the Award opened to all teen girls aged between 12-18 at the time of registration, studying at a school registered with the Education Bureau of HKSAR.

Categories
FGG Summit

FutureGEN Girls Leadership Summit 2023 Empowers Nearly 300 Teen Girls to ‘Discover Their Purpose, Unleash Their Potential’

Building on the tremendous success of last year’s inaugural FutureGEN Girls Leadership Summit, the second FutureGEN Girls Leadership Summit 2023 (“FGG Summit”) organized by the JYC Girls Impact Foundation (“JYCGIF”) was held on November 4, 2023 at the Hong Kong Palace Museum. Guest of Honour, Miss. Alice Mak, SBS, JP, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), officiated at the Opening Ceremony of the Summit, alongside Mrs. Jennifer Yu Cheng, Founder of JYCGIF, and Ms. Diana Cesar, JP, Executive Director and Chief Executive of Hang Seng Bank.

Empowering Teen Girls through Leadership Development and STEM Learning

This year’s FGG Summit, supported by The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau of HKSAR, Hang Seng Bank, and other 19 organizations, dedicated its theme to “Discover Your Purpose, Unleash Your Potential.”

Guest of Honour, Miss. Alice Mak, SBS, JP, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs of HKSAR said: “The Summit is one of vision, specifically upskilling our teens to cater the future needs of society. I hope that students will take this opportunity to contemplate their position in the future society and I am very eager to witness their transformation into a female leader in different areas.”

The FGG Summit drew nearly 300 teen girls from over 40 schools. At the Summit, teen girls took their first steps toward developing their education and career pathways through unique leadership development and STEM learning opportunities, and by networking with peers.

In her Opening Remarks, Mrs. Jennifer Yu Cheng said: “We are living in the information age, a time when the world is changing at a rapid rate but also there are infinite new possibilities. The FGG Summit is just the beginning of teen girl’s journey – to empower them to take a leap forward, to explore possibilities and unleash their boundless potential to pursue their own unique goals. It is my hope that students will leave the FGG Summit inspired, embraced, and supported enough to fly wherever their purpose takes them, and to continue to make meaningful contributions to the lives of others around them.”

Ms. Diana Cesar, JP, Executive Director and Chief Executive of Hang Seng Bank said: “Hang Seng Bank believes in the power and potential of young talent. It’s crucial for the younger generation to embrace the unknown, strive to excel, and don’t fear mistakes. We will continue to promote a worldly perspective and a constructive mindset, enabling them to gear up effectively for what’s ahead.”

Discover Your Purpose, Unleash Your Potential

The FGG Summit 2023 featured: a Future Readiness Lab and New Technology Interactive Zone, inspirational panels led by industry leaders and trailblazers, as well as future workplace skill-building workshops. The Summit presented diverse opportunities for young people’s well-rounded development.

  • Preparing for the future: New Technology Interactive Zone (AI, Robotic, 3D Printing technology)
  • Career exposure: Keynote speech by Ms. Diana Cesar, JP, Executive Director and Chief Executive. Panel discussions by Mr. Terry Tsang, Chief Executive Officer of Madhead, Dr. Shannon Chan, Médecins Sans Frontières International mobile staff and Ten Outstanding Young People Awardee 2022, Angel Cheung, General Manager, Head of Motor Related Business & Yachts (HK & Overseas) of Dah Chong Hong Holdings Limited, and Christina Ho, Airline Pilot and Creator of #christina_meow, with Ms. Secy Cheung, Legal and Compliance Advisor of JYCGIF as moderator
  • Well-rounded development: Future Readiness Lab including Design Thinking Introductory Workshop, AI and Digital Academy, Chinese Culture and A.I. Artistry, as well as Hang Seng Fireside Chat (Passion to Profession: Nurturing Your Dreams). 
  • Contributions to society: The HKSTP-JYCGIF IdeaGO Ideathon 2023

The IdeaGO Ideathon: Contributing to Society through I&T  

The Finale of the IdeaGO Ideathlon 2023 (the ‘Ideathon’), jointly organized by the JYCGIF and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), was also held at the Summit this year, with the ion of empowering teen girls to gain a deeper understanding of and appreciation for innovation and technology (I&T) fields.

Over the last few months, Ideathon participants learned and adopted design thinking and I&T to formulate solutions and mockups/prototypes to address issues related to health and wellbeing, sustainability (low carbon & green living), and challenges faced by women in society. Industry professionals from renowned technology companies offered mentorship and workshops in 3D printing, AI applications and Robotics to the teams. Participants also visited Science Park and its InnoPark to gain knowledge of the I&T ecosystem and new industrialization.

At the Summit, the Finale presented 12 outstanding projects developed by participating schools and teen girls.:

The Champion and Team Spirit Awards – Empower Me (Carmel Pak U Secondary School): A groundbreaking AI platform revolutionizing career development for mothers. By offering AI-generated CVs and skill matching services, Empower Me empowers mothers to maximize their spare time and unlock their professional potential.

1st Runner-up and the Most Popular Award – (True Light Middle School of Hong Kong): An innovative social project making purchasing menstrual products such as sanitary pads, disposable panties and black skirts, easy and accessible, with the aim of destigmatizing menstruation and normalizing associated purchases and learning, promoting correct health knowledge and concept.

2nd Runner-up Winner – Your Way Home (Marymount Secondary School): Harnesses the power of 3D printing to create personalized tracking devices for the elderly. This device, equipped with AI GPS devices and imprinted with images of their loved ones (such as grandchildren), encourages individuals with dementia to wear them, protecting their safety.

Dr Sunny Chai, Chairman of HKSTP, said, “HKSTP is dedicated to nurturing future talent and empowering young people as influential figures in the I&T ecosystem. In this golden era of I&T, there are infinite possibilities for youth to grow and thrive. Through the collaboration with JYCGIF, we look forward to enhancing the interest in I&T and entrepreneurial spirit among teen girls, motivating them to contribute to Hong Kong’s development into an international I&T hub.”    

Under the partnership between HKSTP and JYCGIF, an array of activities including the IdeaGO Ideathon were organised for female secondary school students from local schools to experience first-hand opportunities in the I&T sector, spurring more young women to pursue a career in the industry.

Looking forward, “JYCGIF is committed to continuing to work closely with local and global community leaders to create diverse opportunities that empower teen girls regardless of their backgrounds to become next generation leaders and contributors,” said Mrs. Jennifer Yu Cheng.

For more information:

明日女菁領袖峰會2023 培育未來女性領袖

Teen Girls In Tech: Grooming Future Leader | Girl City

Second FutureGEN Girls Leadership Summit Empowers Teen Girls to “Discover Their Purpose, Unleash Their Potential”

「智GO想像‧創科創意競賽」：通過創科建設新社會 (stheadline.com)

Categories
FGG Summit

First “FutureGEN Girls Leadership Summit 2022” Empowers over 600 Teen Girls with The Power to Lead in A Future World

Hong Kong’s largest post-pandemic girls conference, the Jennifer Yu Cheng Girls Impact Foundation Summit brought teen girls together for a transformative day — just the first stop of many on their “Future Ready Journeys”  

Hong Kong’s first FutureGEN Girls Leadership Summit 2022 was held on Saturday, October 8, 2022 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on the first anniversary of the Jennifer Yu Cheng Girls Impact Foundation (“JYCGIF”), a charitable organization dedicated to empowering teen girls through education to become future ready leaders. Guest of Honour, Miss Alice Mak, SBS, JP, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs of HKSAR and Mrs. Jennifer Yu Cheng, Founder of JYCGIF and Group President and Deputy Vice Chairwoman of CTF Education Group officiated at the Opening Ceremony of the Summit.

Jennifer Yu Cheng: “Teen Girls Today Are The Leaders of Tomorrow!”

The Summit theme this year, “A Journey to Your Near Future,” drew over 600 teen girls aged 14 to 18 from across 55 schools in Hong Kong to panel discussions and keynote addresses by 25 industry leaders and trailblazers from diverse fields, digital skill-building workshops led by experts, and a New Technology Interactive Zone featuring major innovations shaping the future world and workplace.

“At Summits like this one, as in all our JYCGIF outreach programmes, we are laser focused on ‘future readiness,’ equipping girls with the tech-forward mindset, digital skills, and strong leadership competencies that prepare them to navigate all opportunities in the digital era,” said Mrs. Jennifer Yu Cheng, Founder of JYCGIF and Group President and Deputy Vice Chairwoman of CTF Education Group, in opening remarks at the Summit. “We are working to build a stronger talent pipeline of young women like ourselves, who are future ready to become the women leaders of tomorrow. Today you will begin your own journey to explore both the power and versatility of technology and core leadership value to navigate all opportunities in the digital era.”

Guest of Honour, Miss Alice Mak, SBS, JP, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs of HKSAR, said: “Today’s event is one of ambition and vision. Through a series of panel discussion and activities, you will learn to be a leader and explore the revolutionary impact that technology has on our life. The aspiration of nurturing future female leaders is in line with the Government’s belief and is certainly one of my personal wishes. Never underestimate yourself and embrace what technology and the future have to offer. I hope you would find yourself an enabling environment to unleash your potential and fly as high as it permits.”.

Seeing is Believing – Summit Leaders Inspire Girls to Reimagine their Futures

Driven by the motto “seeing is believing,” the Summit featured panels on leadership development, business opportunities, innovative technologies, and much more, with 25 inspirational industry leaders and trailblazers. Including Ms. Irene Lee, Chairman of Hysan Development Company Limited, Professor Nancy Y. IP, President-Designate and The Morningside Professor of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

These changemakers and others shared their personal journeys to success with the teen girls in the audience, offering first-hand insight into the skills and competencies one needs to lead.

“Seeing is believing,” said Yu Cheng. “Look around you today. Every one of the guests here is a leader in her field, and every one of you in the audience has the potential to lead. Leadership is an attitude and a behavior! One is not born a leader, but rather becomes one by building your confidence, taking calculated risks, studying and working hard to achieve your goals, and being willing to collaborate with others and communicate your ideas in a way that makes an impact.”

A Transformative Experience: Hands-On, Digital Skill-Building Workshops

Future Skills Lab & New Technology Interactive Zone

Participants at the Summit also had the opportunitytry their hand at AI and coding in workshops led by experts and supported by Bloomberg, Goldman Sachs, and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Breaking between workshops and panels, teen girls immersed themselves in the Summit’s New Technology Interactive Zone, featuring the dramatic innovations changing our world and workplace; Hanson Robotics, Intuitive Fosun (Da Vinci Surgery), Smart Farming, Rice Robotics, and Motive Force manned booths and spoke with teen girls about how they can make an impact on the future world of work.

While the Summit is the cardinal event of the JYCGIF calendar year, the Foundation’s “10,000 Girls4Girls Coding+” program is its signature offering, set to empower 10,000 teen girls by 2025 by equipping them with digital skills “plus” leadership experiences, university and pre-career preparation, and networking opportunities to lead in a world of innovation. Through the “train the trainer” model, G4G Coding “plus” participants are inspired to start their own clubs and groups and volunteer to train other girls in their communities to become future ready.

Looking forward, Yu Cheng said that JYCGIF is committed to continuing to work closely with local and global community leaders to create diverse opportunities that empower teen girls to become next generation leaders.

For more information:

CNN News

Tatler Asia

AM730