According to statistics released by the United Nations, more than 54% of the world’s population now live in urban environments, a proportion that is expected to increase to 66% by 2050. While urbanisation has made it possible to improve the quality of life of many, the potential for progress can only be fully unleashed if solutions can be found to address associated issues such as housing shortages, the widening wealth gap, pollution, public hygiene, energy consumption and the ageing population trend. In this connection, society needs to review its assumptions, reposition its work and adopt innovative approaches in addressing new and pressing metropolitan social challenges.
Convened by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the Philanthropy for Better Cities Forum is the first of its kind in Asia to focus on metropolitan social issues. The Forum provides a platform for philanthropists, thought leaders, social entrepreneurs, policy-makers, academia and NGOs from around the world, especially the Asia-Pacific and Greater China region, to exchange views, facilitate cross-sector collaboration and cultivate long-term partnerships and engagement, all in the hope of creating better cities.
In the Philanthropy for Better Cities Forum 2018, through keynote addresses, plenary sessions and track sessions arranged around the following five themes, it will facilitate cross-sector exchange, share best practice and create a platform for future collaboration; with the aim of creating better and more liveable communities:
Leveraging the Market
Sustainable Development
Maximizing Impact
Youth & Creativity
Health & Well-being