SDG 16: Peace Justice and Strong Institutions

SDG 16:
PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

T&L Activities
Research

Sustainable peace: conflict-resolution and reconciliation of divided communities

This General Education course enabled students to discover the emerging fields of “Peace and Conflict Studies” and “Transitional Justice”. It emphasised the importance of understanding the political and socio-economic interests, as well as the cultural sentiments of different social actors. By participating in various cognitive and experiential learning activities, such as role-plays, simulations and comparative reflections, students were equipped with the necessary skills for conflict analysis. They were also trained to apply transferable conceptual tools in conflict resolution and post-conflict reconciliation to promote peace and justice in their communities.

Roundtable conversation on European politics

Students had the chance to engage with European politics in Professor Alistair Cole’s service-learning course. By participating in a roundtable conversation on the crisis between Russia and Ukraine, they gained a better understanding of the complicated political environment of Europe and an in-depth understanding of European politics, which in turn helped them better understand international and political topics.

Government and politics of Hong Kong

This year, the service-learning course led by Dr Kenneth Chan of the Department of Government and International Studies, was conducted in conjunction with the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute (HKPORI). During the press conference, two students presented the survey findings on behalf of HKPORI. Students travelled to the Sham Shui Po centre of Windshield Charitable Foundation and had the opportunity to learn more about the difficulties encountered by grassroots communities in Hong Kong and how government policies would affect their lives as a result of this interaction.

Joint-university Korean cultural appreciation night

Three Korean students from HKBU performed at the VI6E Concert organised by the Korean Students’ Union in Hong Kong (KSUHK) on 26 March 2023 to promote multiculturalism. The event received support from the Office of Student Affairs, marking the first time HKBU students participated in KSUHK’s concert. Over 90 students from six local universities, including HKBU, formed different bands, choirs and dance groups to showcase their talents, promote cultural exchanges and build friendships. The event attracted more than 350 people, including Mr Baek Yong-chun, Consul-General of the Republic of Korea in Hong Kong, and representatives from Korean institutions in Hong Kong. HKBU’s participation in KSUHK and the renaming of the concert from VI5E to VI6E symbolised the growing importance of diversity and cultural collaboration. By providing a platform for students to express their unique talents and celebrate different cultures, the concert contributed to SDG 16 by fostering inclusivity, promoting peace and strengthening institutions. It served as a reminder that through the power of music and cultural exchange, harmonious and just societies can be built, transcending boundaries and nurturing understanding among diverse communities.

IA Holi

The Holi event organised by the HKBU International Association (HKBUIA) brought more than just a colourful and festive cheer – it also exemplified the principles of SDG 16. As students gathered at Upper Cheung Sha beach, the vibrant hues of biodegradable colours filled the air, creating a joyful atmosphere that transcended cultural boundaries. In the spirit of Holi, the celebration fostered peace and inclusivity. Students from diverse backgrounds joined together, joyfully embracing the festival’s traditions and exchanging warm greetings. The event became a platform for cultural understanding and unity, reinforcing the values of peace and harmony within the university community. Moreover, the conscious decision to use biodegradable colours showcased the commitment to justice and strong institutions. By prioritising sustainable practices, HKBUIA demonstrated its dedication to environmental responsibility and preserving the planet for future generations. The event served as a reminder that sustainable choices can be integrated into cultural celebrations, promoting a greater sense of responsibility and accountability.

Russia: Today

Academy of Music
Author: BIRMAN Eugene Alexander

Russia: Today (2020) is a combination of ethnography, sociology, and interdisciplinary artistic research, which commenced in 2017 as part of a European Union National Institutes of Culture and Austrian Foreign Ministry initiative (Trauma & Revival). It was later supported by the European Network of Opera Academies, Helsinki Festival, and the HKBU Start-up Grant, and awarded the Guggenheim fellowship in 2018 for its future impact on the discourse over Russian identity. The work has since been featured on radio and TV programmes in the EU and Russia. The resulting work is a 50-minute-long staged vocal work, setting lyrics crowdsourced from hundreds of participants of the project across Russia, the former Soviet Union, and the present-day European Union, asking questions of Russian identity, past, present, and future in four different languages and among participants ranging from elementary schoolchildren to WWII veterans. It premiered on the EU-Russia border in September 2021, and was reviewed by various international publications and national classical music radio programmes. The project has been called a “powerful” (Telegraph), “eerily prescient” (New York Times), “hour-long immersion in the complexities and contradictions of contemporary Russia” (Financial Times). The production then toured Russian cinemas from October to November 2021, occasionally accompanied by mixed mode (live + Zoom) discussions between Dr Birman and local/international artists and political leaders. The work debuted in London at Kings Place at a feature concert on 16 February 2023, with EXAUDI presenting Russia: Today to British audiences for the first time. The project also has its own website, focusing on the expansive research materials and public-oriented work of the project: http://www.russiatoday.live.

Establishing community mental health facilities: A comparative review of Hong Kong and international jurisdictions

Department of Social Work
Authors: Vincent W.P. LEE, Daniel W. L. LAI*
_{*Corresponding author}

This study aimed to compare the process of the establishment of community-based mental health facilities in Hong Kong and other selected jurisdictions. The ‘NIMBY’ (Not In My Back Yard) sentiments are generally prevalent across jurisdictions in the case of setting up sensitive community facilities. In Hong Kong, there is a lack of systematic measures to promote the public acceptance of service users and the understanding of their service access rights. Since Hong Kong’s town planning and mental health care systems are very different, a mixed-model approach is thus proposed for a more robust consultation mechanism and facility establishment to balance the needs for public involvement and enhance the existing legal framework to protect the vulnerable and minority groups. While the authority should set up an inter-departmental working group to collect local residents’ views, regular mental health education programmes throughout the territory are essential to raise awareness of mental health and reduce discrimination against people in recovery.