Young Environment Ambassador

Igniting Change: Empowering the Next Generation of Environmental Stewards

About YEA

To position Hong Kong’s younger generation at the forefront of creating a more sustainable future, Civic Exchange created HongKong2050isNow Young Environment Ambassador (YEA) Programme, which runs every summer.

This initiative fosters greater awareness of climate change among Hong Kong’s youth and equips the next generation of climate leaders with comprehensive knowledge in climate science, design-thinking skills, and invaluable hands-on experience.

Launched in 2021, this programme focuses on educating and engaging local students in Forms 3 to 5. We believe that the future of climate action rests in the hands of young leaders who will drive innovation and navigate through uncertain climate scenarios.

Programme Summary

Throughout a period of 2 months, the programme provides participants with knowledge on four key topics: decarbonisation, nature-based solutions, waste management, and sustainable consumption.

In addition, they will receive training in design thinking and project management from experts. Field trips will be organised to provide them with practical real-life examples.

By implementing their own sustainable projects mentored by seasoned professionals, they will actively contribute to addressing various environmental challenges and become catalysts for change while gaining valuable hands-on experience.

Climate Change Awareness

Enhance climate change awareness among Hong Kong’s youth

Leadership Training

Equip youth with design thinking and project management skills

Community-based Solutions

Train youth to provide solutions through their own sustainable projects

Summary

Phases

LEARN-ACT-LEAD Phases

The YEA programme is divided into three phases: LEARN, ACT, and LEAD, spanning over two months, during which it gathers a community of Young Environment Ambassadors.

Through workshops and training sessions, the programme equips participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to become Climate Changemakers.

Using their new skills, participants will plan and implement sustainable projects with the support of Civic Exchange and its partners.

LEARN

Learning Phase (July 2024)

Throughout five sessions, participants gain an understanding of basic climate science and explore four main topics: decarbonisation, nature-based solutions, waste management, and sustainable consumption. They develop a leadership skillset encompassing design thinking, project management, and public speaking. Additionally, they become more aware of local success stories in addressing climate change, including government-led initiatives, prominent environmental NGOs (ENGOs), corporate leaders, and pioneering individuals.

ACT

Acting Phase (August 2024)

With a solid skillset and knowledge base, participants will be grouped into teams to implement 3-week long sustainable projects. These projects may include organising volunteer drives, conducting online awareness campaigns, and drafting investigative reports. YEA organisers and professionals from the private sector will provide mentoring and peer discussions.

LEAD

Leading Phase (August 2024 onwards)

Completion of the programme will be marked by a closing ceremony celebrating the Young Environment Ambassadors' achievements. This event will also signify the commencement of YEAs’ long-term sustainability mission beyond the programme's duration. Exceptional ambassadors may have the opportunity to be matched with internship positions at Civic Exchange and other partner organisations, further supporting their development and expanding their influence as young leaders.

Through the course of the programme,

participants will gain:

Leadership skills such as public speaking, design thinking, project management
Hands-on experience in a team mentored by seasoned professionals
Networking opportunities with Hong Kong's environmental leaders in government, the private sector, and civil society
Expertise in climate and sustainability-related topics
Ability to initiate and lead their own sustainable projects, delivering tangible impact

Upon programme completion,

participants will receive:

A certificate of completion*
For outstanding participants, a chance to intern with Civic Exchange’s partner organisations
An opportunity to win exciting prizes

*Participants must achieve a 100% attendance rate and score 70% or above in the test

Benefits

Programme Rundown

Induction

Date: 20 July 2024 (Saturday)
Time: 10:00-12:00
Venue: Hong Kong Maritime Museum, Central Pier 8

Highlights:

Introduction of the programme
Welcome speech by guests
Panel discussion with former Secretary for Environment Mr. Wong Kam Sing and former Head of Observatory Mr. Lam Chiu Ying lead by Ms. Melody Cheng

Introduction to climate science, decarbonisation and nature-based solutions

Date: 22 July 2024 (Monday)
Time: 10:00-17:00
Venue: Hong Kong Maritime Museum, Central Pier 8

Rundown:

Overview of the programme rundown and house rules
Understanding climate science through the Climate Fresk game
Introduction to Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for adaptation through nature and innovation
Exploration of energy-related decarbonisation solutions through Megawatt game

Introduction to sustainable consumption and waste

+ Field trip

Date: 24 July 2024 (Wednesday)
Time: 10:00-18:00
Venue: Hong Kong Maritime Museum, Central Pier 8, followed by field trip to New Life Plastics and WEEE · PARK

Rundown:

Introduction to the importance of waste management and the circular economy
Explanation of how sustainable consumption contributes to reducing our environmental footprint in everyday life
Team formation and collaboration for sustainable projects
Field trip to visit real-world environmental initiatives focusing on clean transportation and effective recycling

Design thinking skill building

Date: 29 July 2024 (Monday)
Time: 10:00-17:00
Venue: Hong Kong Maritime Museum, Central Pier 8

Rundown:

Introduction to creative problem-solving approach and thinking skills
Identification of environmental issues to be addressed
Interactive and practical learning experience to encourage innovative solutions to solving environmental challenges
Explanation of key principles of design thinking, including empathy, problem definition, ideation, prototyping, and testing

HKUST Site Visit

Date: 30 July 2024 (Tuesday)
Time: all day (TBC)
Venue: The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Rundown:

Demonstration of how a university campus can integrate elements of smart and sustainable practices
Visiting large-scale clean energy installations
Participation in a consumption-related game to enhance knowledge and receive career advice

Human library and Project development

Date: 1 August 2024 (Thursday)
Time: 10:00-17:00

Venue: Hong Kong Maritime Museum, Central Pier 8

Rundown:

Brainstorming sessions to generate sustainable project ideas
Test to assess understanding of all workshop materials
In-person interactions and discussions of project ideas with experts from corporations and NGOs specialising in environmental project management
Practice delivering elevator pitches and peer review

Project development and execution

Date: Throughout August 2024
Time: NA

Venue: Online

Details:

With a solid skillset and knowledge base, participants will be grouped into teams to implement 3-week long sustainable projects. These projects may include organising volunteer drives, conducting online awareness campaigns, and drafting investigative reports. YEA organisers and professionals from the private sector will provide 2-3 hours of mentoring and peer discussions.

Pak Nai Eco Visit

Date: 31 July 2024 (Wednesday)
Time: 13:00-18:00
Venue: Pak Nai, Yuen Long (assembly point: Kowloon Tong MTR station)

Rundown:

Visit Pak Nai, one of the largest intertidal mudflats and mangrove stands in Hong Kong
Understand the environmental importance of oyster reefs and cultural history of oyster farming
Discover the endangered “living fossil”, the horseshoe crab and its ecological importance
Learn about the challenges facing Pak Nai’s biodiversity with nearby urban development
Participate in restoration work and conserve the mudflats in Pak Nai

Rundown

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Fee: FREE

Requirements:

F.3-5 students (going into F.4-6) with good academic standing and good communications skills in English and Cantonese
Students with demonstrated leadership potential and interest in sustainability

Language: Cantonese supplemented by English. This will be an excellent opportunity for local students to hone their language skills, while expanding their global perspectives.

Application deadline: Sunday 16 June 2024

Please email back the scanned form to the following address email: info@civic-exchange.org

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