Theme: 0⇌1

The beginning. And the end.

We want to think that our world is made of binaries, of 0s and 1s, of blacks and whites. We want to think of our journey as linear - that as we learn, we experience and we evolve, we are becoming better, and moving towards that end goal.

But what is that end goal? And indeed, what is the beginning?

Amid the quandaries of morality, the dilemma between truth and falsehood, the equilibrium of time, perhaps the beginning and the end is merely a question of perception. Perhaps sometimes, we need to take a step back, to understand the greater intricacies of the bigger picture, the lessons that have brought us to the now; and others, it is time to step forward, to embrace what the future holds, to embark on a journey, unknown.

Perhaps the equilibrium, the flexibility of it to move backwards and forwards in accordance with small changes in composition, is far more important than what it was in the beginning, or what the product is in the end.

Shaw College Lecture Theatre
Shaw College, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Shatin, New Territories
Hong Kong, Hong Kong, NA
Hong Kong

Jeffrey Andrews

First ethnic minority registered social worker in Hong Kong

Jeffrey Andrews, a Hong Kong first registered ethnic minority social worker, is dedicated to advocating for the rights of ethnic minorities. His personal journey is nothing short of inspiring. From being a troubled teenager who faced difficulties fitting in, he has emerged as a highly regarded social worker.

Jocelyn Tsao

Family lawyer with 15+ years of litigation experience in divorce and separation

Jocelyn Tsao, a seasoned family lawyer with over 15 years of experience in divorce and separation cases, shares her profound insights on the legal aspects of marriage in this talk. Having worked with a diverse clientele, both expatriate and local couples, Jocelyn brings a wealth of knowledge in family law. In this thought provoking speech, she challenges common perceptions of marriage as a symbol of love and dives into the legal intricacies often overlooked by couples.

Jonathan Mok

Advocate for Neurodiversity

Jonathan Mok is a passionate neurodiversity advocate whose personal journey of self-discovery led him to embrace his neurodivergent identity. As an alum of the Resolve Foundation Social Justice Fellowship Programme, he raises awareness about neurodiversity through engaging talks at events like the Hong Kong International Literary Festival and Neurodiversity Celebration Week.

Lawal Marafa

Professor at the Department of Geography And Resource Management, CUHK

Dr. Lawal Marafa is a professor at the Department of Geography and Resource Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. He is the founding Director, Postgraduate programme in Sustainable Tourism. He is a Senior Fellow of the World Leisure Academy and serves as the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the World Leisure Organization. He also serves as a member of the UN World Committee on Tourism Ethics. Dr. Marafa was awarded the “Exemplary Teacher Award” in 2005, and received the Royal Belum Inaugural Ecotourism Award, Perak, Malaysia, and served as Facilitator at the [Bill] Clinton Global Initiative.

Melody Nadal

Filipino migrant domestic worker; Social activist

Step into the extraordinary life of Melody Nadal, a woman whose journey is a testament to resilience and unyielding determination. From the profound experience of becoming a mother at just 16 to the courageous decision to migrate to Hong Kong, her story is an epic tale of sacrifice and dreams.

Michael Chan

Founder of Companion HK

Michael Chan Sheung Yee is an advocate for mental health and founder of Companion HK. He founded the organization during his Bachelor's degree to address mental health issues, providing training and job opportunities to those with mental disorders. Michael's work has gained recognition, earning him awards like Humanity Youth Power and Outstanding Youth Volunteer.

Michael Dacuno

Three-time HK Muay Thai champion

Meet Michael Dacuno, the trailblazing Filipino-Hongkonger Muay Thai fighter champion. His remarkable journey is a testament to the power of unwavering focus and dedication.

Sonia Wong

Founder of “Reel Women Hong Kong”; Lecturer at the Gender Studies Programme of CUHK

Dr. Sonia Wong Yuk Ying obtained her PhD in Cultural Studies at Lingnan University in 2017, and now teaches Gender Studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Her research interests include lesbian identity, female sexuality, film, new media and local history. In 2013, she founded Reel Women Hong Kong, the first and only independent film festival in Hong Kong devoted to the promotion of female-created films and art works, as well as gender equality and awareness, in society. In 2018, she founded the first Women’s Festival in Hong Kong with Eaton HK and Sally Coco, aiming at further popularising gender consciousness and diversity.

Yumi Tang

Final-year Medic student with research focusing on tissue imaging process

Yumi Tang, a MbChb student at CUHK, has embarked on numerous research endeavors at the Nuffield Institute of Clinical Neurosciences at Oxford in 2018, and achieved her MSc in Research Medicine from CUHK in 2020 focusing on novel tissue imaging processes.