Swire Properties Sponsors 5th Dual City Youth Cultural Exchange Programme
AM730 · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
The Hong Kong Palace Museum's flagship youth learning and exchange initiative, the Dual City Youth Cultural Talent Exchange Programme, wrapped up its fifth edition with a two-day creative market held on July 25 and 26. Swire Properties (1972) served as the principal sponsor, with support from the Palace Museum in Beijing and the Hong Kong SAR Government's Beijing Office. Twenty-two students from Beijing and Hong Kong presented cultural innovation concepts they developed after visiting cultural sites and completing internships at commercial and cultural institutions in Hong Kong. The programme emphasised nurturing future cultural leaders who can connect communities through creativity and empathy.
Key Points
- The creative market gathered 22 university students from Beijing and Hong Kong to showcase their cultural innovation concepts inspired by eight weeks of programme activities
- Students visited cultural landmarks including the Palace Museum in Beijing, the 798 Art Zone, and the West Kowloon Cultural District, as well as Swire Properties' developments such as Sanlitun Taikoo Li in Beijing and Taikoo Place in Hong Kong
- The 22 participants completed four-week internships at cultural and commercial institutions including the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, government-run cultural organisations under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, and Swire Properties
- Three students who interned at Swire Properties collaborated with the Eastern District Office to develop proposals for revitalising public spaces near Taikoo Shing
- Since its launch in 2022, the programme has engaged nearly 170 students from Beijing and Hong Kong, with Education New School serving as the local charity partner responsible for curriculum design
Why It Matters
The programme demonstrates how cross-border cultural exchange can cultivate young talent who approach urban development with fresh perspectives, bridging gaps between mainland and Hong Kong creative industries. By providing platforms like the creative market for youth voices to directly engage the public, the initiative helps ensure that the future of Hong Kong's cultural landscape reflects diverse community perspectives rather than being shaped solely by established institutions .
The programme demonstrates how cross-border cultural exchange can cultivate young talent who approach urban development with fresh perspectives, bridging gaps between mainland and Hong Kong creative industries. By providing platforms like the creative market for youth voices to directly engage the public, the initiative helps ensure that the future of Hong Kong's cultural landscape reflects diverse community perspectives rather than being shaped solely by established institutions .