Operation Santa Claus: Hong Kong NGOs must foster new generation of innovators to capitalise on city’s philanthropy growth
- ‘There is a timely need to nurture this new or future generation of NGO leaders to the maintain effective functioning of NGOs’, scholar with leadership programme says
- Joint HKU-UBS Sustainable and Social Innovation Leadership Programme enjoys support of charity Wofoo Foundation and fundraising drive Operation Santa Claus
NGOs in Hong Kong must foster a new generation of innovative and sustainable leaders amid a period of challenges and opportunities as the city develops into a hub for philanthropy, the organisers of a training scheme have said.
“With the recent wave of baby-boomer retirement and emigration of middle-aged professionals, many local NGOs face challenges of a succession plan and have to appoint relatively green leaders,” said Lucy Jordan, an associate professor with the Department of Social Work and Social Administration at the University of Hong Kong (HKU).
The department joined Swiss-based global investment bank UBS to organise the HKU-UBS Sustainable and Social Innovation Leadership Programme (SSILP), which launched on April 27 and enjoys the support of local charity Wofoo Foundation and fundraising campaign Operation Santa Claus (OSC).
“There is a timely need to nurture this new or future generation of NGO leaders to maintain the effective functioning of the NGOs, which will eventually benefit society as a whole,” Jordan explained.
Under the tutelage and mentorship of UBS Hong Kong senior leaders, HKU academics and experienced NGO chiefs, programme participants receive training in areas such as strategic thinking, effective communication, risk management and media competency.
