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Volunteers planting rice seedlings

To incubate a sustainable development option for rural areas and villages in Hong Kong, the University of Hong Kong (HKU) together with the Hong Kong Countryside Foundation, Produce Green Foundation, the Conservancy Association and inhabitants of a traditional Hakka village in Lai Chi Wo launched the “Living Water & Community Revitalisation – An Agricultural-led Action, Engagement and Incubation Programme at Lai Chi Wo” (the Programme) on April 30, 2016.

Supported by The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) and endorsed by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of the HKSAR Government, the Programme is the first cross-sector partnership of its kind implementing sustainability initiatives and innovation in farming, training, education and research.

Mr. Wong Kam-sing, Secretary for the Environment of the HKSAR Government, opened the Programme’s plaque at the launch ceremony with Ms. Diana Cesar, Chief Executive, Hong Kong, HSBC; Professor Peter Mathieson, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKU; and village representatives of Lai Chi Wo village Mr. Tsang Ah-chat and Mr. Tsang Wai-yip.

Mr. Wong Kam-sing said: “The Sustainable Lai Chi Wo Programme not only promotes agricultural revitalisation and the conservation of rural biodiversity and natural heritage, but also shows how knowledge and rich resources of a community can be utilised to facilitate the conservation of rural areas in a flexible way. Continuous local participation is an important element in nature conservation and rural community development. With the professional knowledge from The University of Hong Kong and its partnering organisations as well as the trusting relationship they have built with the community, we believe that the Sustainable Lai Chi Wo Programme will become a model for sustainable rural development in Hong Kong.”

Professor Peter Mathieson said: “HKU is the first university locally and internationally that pledges in our vision that we will respond purposefully to the modern day’s challenges identified by the United Nations through the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The Sustainable Lai Chi Wo Programme is a perfect example of how a University could take a leading role and incubate sustainability innovations.” The Programme is led by the Policy for Sustainability Lab under the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University.  Scholars from HKU have provided advice and support for the revitalisation of Lai Chi Wo, including an ecology and biodiversity research by biological scholars and a hydrology monitoring programme by engineering experts and geographers.

Ms. Diana Cesar said: “The revitalisation of Lai Chi Wo demonstrates how much is possible when local residents, academia and the private sector work together to care for Hong Kong's living past. HSBC is proud to have supported the conservation of a valuable part of our rural heritage through a project that brings to life a historical village for people today to enjoy and understand. We have been deeply connected with Hong Kong for 151 years and are committed to investing for the future in its environment and communities."

Hailing the Programme’s efforts in giving Lai Chi Wo a new lease of life, Mr. Tsang Wai-yip said: “I would like to thank HSBC for their support to this revitalisation programme in Lai Chi Wo which gives this remote village a lot of vibrancy and turns it into a new weekend destination for people in Hong Kong. Last but not least I must thank the volunteers and frontline partners who have contributed much time, sweat and great effort to Lai Chi Wo!”