News

26 June 2026, Hong Kong – Ms Judy Chen, Chairman of the Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF HK), was invited to deliver a welcoming remark today at the Symposium on Early Childhood Development in East Asia, hosted by the HKU Research Hub of Population Studies and the Social Sciences Research Centre under the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Hong Kong (HKU).

Early childhood development is a fundamental right of every child and a crucial window of opportunity that lays the foundation for children’s holistic development and for their futures. Ms Chen noted that the symposium created a vital platform for academic and research dialogue, aligning stakeholders toward a shared vision of building a world where every child is given the best possible start in life.

She also highlighted that despite remarkable regional progress, the pandemic placed an estimated 150 million young children in East Asia at risk. She warned that a failure to invest in early childhood squanders potential and deepens cycles of disadvantage that undermine the very fabric of our societies. To mitigate these challenges,  Ms Chen outlined UNICEF HK’s strategic "Three Ns" framework: Nourish, Nurture, and Neighbourhoods, from promoting breastfeeding to ensure children receive the best nutrition in life, to advocating for and working towards Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI).

Ms Chen emphasized that HKU's enduring commitment to bridging academic excellence with social impact is truly exemplary, and that research such as the Hong Kong CHILD Longitudinal Study — led by Professor Ming Wen, Dean of Social Sciences at HKU — is profoundly important, as it provides robust, localised evidence for advancing early childhood development in Hong Kong.

Looking ahead, UNICEF HK seeks to deepen its partnership with HKU and beyond to build stronger support systems for every child and every family, ensuring that cycles of disadvantage are dismantled and every child’s potential is fully realized.

Ms Judy Chen, Chairman of UNICEF HK, delivered a welcoming remark at the Symposium on Early Childhood Development in East Asia.

Photo of Ms Judy Chen, Chairman of UNICEF HK ( left) and Professor Ming Wen, Dean of Social Sciences (right), The University of Hong Kong.

Group photo of Ms Judy Chen, Chairman of UNICEF HK (eighth from left, first row), Professor Ming Wen, Dean of Social Sciences, The University of Hong Kong (sixth from right, first row), joined by academics and guests at the event.

Ms Judy Chen, Chairman of UNICEF HK with other guests at the event.