The winners of this prestigious award are honoured for their genuine spirit in charity, civic awareness and goodwill, as well as their inspiring stories of overcoming personal challenges and community contribution. The award honours Hong Kong’s unsung heroes and exemplary citizens, who are dedicated to making the world a better place in their own unique ways. The awards also showcase their outstanding achievements in the areas of empowering collective impact, innovating for good, cultural preservation and tenacious entrepreneurship.
The HK Global Development Prize is organized by Generocity to encourage innovative ideas on shaping Hong Kong’s international development efforts and its role in the global economy, as well as supporting the implementation of the Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme. The HK$5,000 competition is open to all academicians and professionals from Hong Kong, and participants can showcase their research and projects at the International Convention of Asia Scholars (ICAS).
In 2022, the BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize was established with the aim of encouraging scientific researchers and entrepreneurs in Hong Kong to continue to explore innovative possibilities, establish themselves here, serve the nation and contribute to the world. Its rigorous selection process includes inviting experts to select candidates for the prize based on the research’s outstanding achievements, its potential for application and transformation, and the social or economic benefits created.
This year, the award’s honourees include five people from Hong Kong who have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize this year, including activists Jimmy Lai, Chow Hang-tung, Lee Cheuk-yan, Gwyneth Ho and Joshua Wong. Their fervent dedication to protecting freedoms in Hong Kong and campaigning for democracy have made them stand out among their peers around the world.
The judging panel for the prize, which is endorsed by the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences and Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, said they were inspired by the courage and commitment of the prize’s previous winners to help Hong Kong achieve its development goals. They recognised that the finalists, who are all making significant contributions to the city’s progress, are truly deserving of the accolade.
Those who have made the shortlist for this year’s HK Art Prize include sculptor Noormah Jamal, who is honoured for her acrylic-on-canvas work called Did the Seed Grow? The work features two figures with vacant expressions, as if they are adrift in the space. Its enigmatic nature is meant to draw the viewer in and evoke their curiosity about the subjects depicted.
The judges praised the quality and originality of the entries, adding that it is a privilege to be able to acknowledge the work of these remarkable individuals and organisations. They urged the public to support them by voting for their favourites. The winning artwork will be exhibited at a future exhibition. Voting ends on 30 April. The results will be announced in May. For details, visit www.scmp.com/arts/hk-arts-prize/.