HONG KONG, March 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- On February 28th, the event Nobel Laureates Series: 5th Social Caring Pledge Scheme Award Presentation Ceremony & Responsible Investment Forum was held at InterContinental Hotel Hong Kong. In the presence of over 150 members from political, academic, and business communities who promote awareness of social betterment, the hosting organisation presented 47 awards, which included the Asian Social Caring Leadership Award, the Social Caring Youth Leadership Award, the Outstanding Social Caring Organization Award, and the Social Caring Investment Excellence Award. In accordance with the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI), responsible investment was rightfully named as the theme for the forum. The principle goal of the forum was to encourage personal and corporate investors to integrate elements of sustainable investment, investors' responsibility, and community investment into monetary decisions.
The hosts were honoured to have invited Jasper Tsang Yok-sing GBM, GBS, JP, Ombudsman Connie Lau Yin-hing JP, and HKFTU President and National People's Congress member Lam Shuk-yee SBS as officiating guests, and to have welcomed them as Honorary Directors. In attendance at the ceremony were HKEX Non-Executive Director Jason Lee Kwan-ho, Board Director and Egive-for-you Founder Dr. Cho Kwai-chee, and Head of Asia of Principles of Responsible Investment Association Jessica Robinson. In addition, awardees included HKUST President Tony F. Chan, Founder of Sasa International Holdings Limited Eleanor Kwok, Law Kwai-chun Pang Siu-hin of Hin Sang Group (International) Holding Company Limited, Brand Manager of Renley Watch Manufacturing Company Limited Gary Lau Sun-tao. Dr. Dominic Lam Man-kit, Vincent Huen Wai-kei, and Dr. Richard Lee Man-fai also attended the event to show support.
Dr. Ma Kai-cheung Ph.D., SBS, BBS, an honorary director of Social Enterprise Research Institute (SERI), was present to give the opening speech. During the opening speech, Dr. Ma mentioned that, as a successful entrepreneur, one's responsibilities go beyond profit-making, and extend to caring for society and having a spirit of giving. Dr. Ma noted that continual contribution to the prosperous development of Hong Kong and mainland China is also a crucial part of entrepreneurial responsibility.
Under the speech title "Social Value VS Economic Costs", Jasper Tsang Yok-sing GBM, GBS, JP emphasised the value of social caring and responsible investment, and their relation to overall economic costs. Tsang also mentioned that SERI deserves praise and encouragement for encouraging personal and corporate investors to integrate elements of investor responsibility and community investment into investment decisions, and for promoting sustainable investment.
In the speech given by HKFTU President and NPC member Lam Shuk-yee SBS titled "The Developing Trends in Corporate Responsibility and Labour Rights", Lam mentioned that corporate employee care is recognised as a social responsibility and as a right of labour workers, and that healthy employer-employee relations begin with care and consideration.
As an Asian Social Caring Leadership Award recipient, HKUST President Tony F Chan mentioned that he felt tremendous honour, and that the award belongs to the staff and students of HKUST. In recognition of the schoolwide social service program, HKU Connect, and of educational platform SIGHT, Chan highlighted their achievements. The achievement include hosting underwater robotics competitions and designing feasible plans for improving medical sanitation in the world's developing regions. Chan praised them for servicing communities while making technological advancements.
Representing Hin Sang Group (International) Holding Company Limited, Pang Siu-hin announced his gratitude as he accepted the Outstanding Social Caring Organization Award. Pang mentioned that Hin Sang Group pushed forward a series of volunteer services that pinpointed the needs of children of various age groups. Pang also noted that the group is proud to serve, to protect, and to care for the joys in family life.
Gary Lau Sun-tao, Brand Manager of Renley Watch Manufacturing Company Limited, was honoured with the Social Caring Youth Leadership Award. During his acceptance speech, Lau claimed that in assembling young industrialists, not only can community members expand social circles, but individuals can also exchange information and experiences. Besides hosting his own friendly gatherings, Lau also attends activities hosted by major manufacturers' associations and by youth organisations, with the intention of building elite, meaningful social networks.
To assist in the implementation of corporate performance pledges, SERI also hosted the Responsible Investment Forum at the biannual ceremony. Responsible Investment includes three components -- Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance. In the implementation of said components, one aims to build an economically efficient and sustainable development structure that benefits the environment and the general society. Responsibilities include ensuring social and environmental protection, promoting human rights, maintaining labour standards, tackling corruption, and caring for customers. Speakers in attendance at the forum included the Head of Asia of Principles of Responsible Investment Association, Jessica Robinson, the Head of Sustainable Development at CLP Group, Jeanne Ng Chi-yun, Ascent Partners Director Hauman Yeung, and SERI Honorary Chairman Dr. Peter Liao Sheung-kwan.
Promoting the Principles of UN Global Compact
In endorsement of the principles advocated in UN Global Compact, and in encouragement of social caring and sustainable development, the Social Caring Pledge Scheme promotes Asian enterprises for their contributions to environmental and social protection, human rights, labour standards, anti-corruption, and customer care. In recognition, the Social Caring Pledge Scheme honours leaders and enterprises with four distinct awards - Asian Social Caring Leadership Award, Social Caring Youth Leadership Award, Outstanding Social Caring Organization Award, and the Social Caring Investment Excellence Award.
Pledge Scheme recognised by Nobel Laureates
The 5th Social Caring Pledge Scheme is hosted by the Social Enterprise Research Institute (SERI), and it receives wide support from various sectors. The Pledge Scheme is signed and recognised by Nobel Laureates Professor Harald Zur Hausen and Professor Kurt Wuthrich, and is also supported by Gustavo Berlanga, President of UN Global Compact and SERI Honorary President. Since its inception, the Pledge Scheme welcomed participation from over 300 enterprises. Widely supported by members of the political community and the business sector, the Pledge Scheme award presentation ceremony is surely an industry-wide, well-received biannual occasion.
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