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Hong Kong, 6 October 2026 – The Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF HK) held this year’s School & Youth Programmes Acknowledgement Ceremony on 12 September, drawing nearly 200 youth participants, parents, principles, representatives from school sponsoring body and Government officials. Centred around the theme “Becoming the Changemakers”, the ceremony celebrated the remarkable learning outcomes, advocacy efforts and community action in advocating child’s right and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of schools and students across various UNICEF HK youth initiatives over the past year.

Youth representatives also took the stage to share their personal experiences, ranging from leading school-wide campaigns, online-to-offline SDG initiatives to upcycled eco-art creations in promoting food sustainability.

Young participants from across UNICEF HK’s signature youth programmes, including the UNICEF Club, SDGs Student Ambassadors eLearn Pilot Scheme, EdVocate School Speakers, Young Envoys Programme and SDG Actioner Challenge for Ethnic Minority Youth Programme, showcased their growth and development through learning and advocacy. By demonstrating how they actively participate and play their part in advancing children’s rights and the SDGs, they perfectly embodied this year's theme of "Becoming the Changemakers".

Distinguished guests included Ms. Judy Chen, JP, Chairman of UNICEF HK; Mr. HO Kai Ming, JP, Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare; Mr. LAM Siu Hong, Andy, JP, Commissioner for Youth of the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau; Hon. Judy CHAN Kapui, MH, JP, Legislative Councillor; Mr. FONG Chung Lun, MH and Dr. Julia CHU, Advocacy Committee Members of UNICEF HK; as well as prominent school principals and educators.

Ms. Judy Chen, Chairman of UNICEF HK expressed her deep appreciation in her opening remarks for the unwavering commitment and perseverance demonstrated by the youth participants over the past year. She pointed out that it is deeply inspiring to witness so many young people progress from self-directed learning to community advocacy, putting children’s rights and the SDGs into practice through their actions.

Mr. HO Kai Ming, Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare, emphasised in his speech that youth leadership plays a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable and child-friendly future for Hong Kong and beyond. He also elaborated on the core significance of building a child-friendly city for Hong Kong's future development.

UNICEF HK remains dedicated to empowering youth, ensuring every child can grow up healthily and happily. Through ongoing efforts such as the Child Friendly Cities Initiative, UNICEF HK hopes that the participants can utilise the knowledge and skills learned to continue raising awareness of children’s rights and SDG-related issues in Hong Kong and around the world, contributing as true changemakers. 

Ms. Judy Chen, Chairman of UNICEF HK (5th right); Mr. HO Kai Ming, Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare (7th left); Mr. Andy LAM Siu Hong, Commissioner for Youth of the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (4th right); Dr. Julia CHU, Advocacy Committee Member of UNICEF HK (3rd right); and Legislative Councillor Hon. Judy CHAN Kapui (6th from left), together with youth representatives, officiated at the kick-off ceremony.

Mr. HO Kai Ming, JP, Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare (1st left), and Ms. Judy Chen, Chairman of UNICEF HK (1st right), presented certificates to representatives of the awarded schools, commending the students for their outstanding performance in promoting child rights and the SDGs.

Ms. Judy Chen, Chairman of UNICEF HK (7th left); Mr. HO Kai Ming, Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare (8th left); Mr. Andy LAM Siu Hong, Commissioner for Youth of the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (8th right); Dr. Julia CHU, Advocacy Committee Member of UNICEF HK (7th right); and Legislative Councillor Hon. Judy CHAN Kapui (6th right), joined school principals, teachers, parents, and youth participants for a group photo, jointly witnessing the growth and achievements of the youth on their advocacy journey.

Mr. FONG Chung Lun, Advocacy Committee Members of UNICEF HK (1st right) presented the appreciation certificates to the representatives from the UNICEF Club schools.