At Innovation in the Social Sector, a prelude to the upcoming 2018 Philanthropy for Better Cities (PBC) Forum held at Tai Kwun today (24 August), Secretary for Labour and Welfare Dr the Hon Law Chi-kwong joined colleagues from the welfare and charities sectors to discuss latest developments in community services with over 100 university students and the public. Updates were also given on the list of prominent guest speakers for the 2018 PBC Forum, who will include two Nobel laureates, a retired professional basketball player, the founders of charitable foundations and a well-known political philosopher.

Besides Dr Law, guests at the pre-forum discussion included the Club’s Executive Director of Charities and Community Leong Cheung; Project Director for ExCEL3 at The University of Hong Kong Professor Lam Wai-fung; CEO of St James’ Settlement Josephine Lee; and Co-Founder and CEO of Social Career Matthew Tam. They spoke about how creativity and technology were enhancing voluntary services, how gerontechnology was being used to improve elderly well-being, and how innovation could be applied to raise field capacity and cross-sectoral collaboration. Today’s speakers will also be joining the 2018 PBC Forum on 20/21 September at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The PBC Forum is the first event of its kind in Asia to be focused on metropolitan social issues. Over 60 prominent speakers have been invited to Hong Kong to address this year’s Forum, which is expected to attract over 1,000 thought leaders and delegates. The Forum will provide an unrivalled opportunity to exchange views on urban issues for all those interested in the latest developments in philanthropy and charitable work, including NGOs, family and corporate foundations, thought leaders, social entrepreneurs, policy makers and academics.

Nobel laureate Professor James Heckman from University of Chicago and political philosopher Professor Michael Sandel from Harvard University will be keynote speakers at this year’s PBC Forum. Other confirmed speakers include recipient of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Professor Muhammad Yunus; President of the Michael Phelps Foundation Michael Phelps; retired professional basketball player and Founder of The Yao Foundation Yao Ming; and Hong Kong Monetary Authority Chief Executive Norman Chan.

Places can now be reserved through the Forum website at www.citiesphilanthropy.com , at the special price of HK$2,120 per person. For enquiries or further information, please e-mail pbcforum@hkjc.org.hk.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2016/17, the Club’s total direct return to the community was HK$30.5 billion. It is Hong Kong's largest single taxpayer, one of the city’s major employers and one of the world's top ten charity donors. The Club is always "riding high together for a better future" with the people of Hong Kong.