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Singapore GreenTech Challenge by Microsoft to rally community effort and accelerate progress on the Singapore Green Plan

Call for participation opens from now till 5 December

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 18 November 2021 – The Microsoft Innovation Center for Sustainability Solutions (MICSS) has launched its inaugural Singapore GreenTech Challenge to empower digital natives and start-ups with operations in Singapore. Together with ecosystem partners including Carbonless, Interseed, Avanade, EcoLabs, FINLAB by UOB, and NCS, MICSS will work with participants to develop innovative sustainability solutions for business that can be operationalized in line with priorities from the Singapore Green Plan, which was announced earlier this year. These priorities include Energy Reset, Green Economy, City in Nature, Resilient Future, and Sustainable Living.

 

All early to mid-stage eco-tech startups with a software-based solution that addresses environmental or social challenges within the Singapore Green Plan are welcome to apply for this challenge. Interested participants can apply here: https://www.sggreentechchallenge.com/.

 

In the lead-up to the finals, 15 to 25 companies will be shortlisted to present their solutions to a judging panel of industry experts, which will consist of ecosystem partners and leaders in the sustainability space. This will allow finalists to connect and engage with potential clients, receive expert advice, and gain exposure to resources and opportunities, all of which will help to accelerate their business growth. Microsoft will also work closely with these start-ups to bring their solutions to life on Azure.

 

During the challenge, companies will be matched with renowned experts from Carbonless and Interseed, who will offer personalized coaching and mentorship to help companies develop their solutions. This includes complimentary access to technology and support under the Microsoft for Startups program, with grants of up to S$150,000 in Azure credits, as well as trusted development and collaborative tools such as GitHub and Microsoft Teams.

 

The winner will stand a chance to win S$350,000 worth of benefits and be able to tap on the rich knowledge and expertise of Microsoft’s network of partners to grow and scale their sustainability solutions, powered by the Microsoft Cloud.

 

“As a trusted ally to Singapore, Microsoft continues to foster robust partnerships that empower our start-ups and communities to create sustainable digital innovation across the Microsoft Cloud with data and AI. By focusing on operationalizing real-world solutions for the Singapore Green Plan together with our community, we continue to build collaboration and co-innovation across the ecosystem as we contribute to a resilient, digitally-inclusive Singapore,” said Tarun Shiroley, Partnership Development Manager (ISV), Microsoft Singapore.

 

Through the Singapore GreenTech Challenge, Microsoft aims to encourage collaboration and co-innovation between emerging eco-tech solution providers and like-minded corporates. The challenge will also bolster Singapore’s position as a regional testbed for innovation, as its community creates relevant, scalable, and deployable business solutions that target the country’s most pressing sustainability challenges.

 

About Microsoft

Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. For more news and stories, visit https://news.microsoft.com/en-sg/.

#Microsoft

How To Make Online Classes More Interactive And Fun

Students face difficulties with online learning in Laos
Low internet penetration and budget constraints have seen online learning face difficulties in Laos.

The Covid pandemic presented several problems for different sectors, including the education sector. The problem in the education sector has been successfully resolved in many countries by shifting to an online mode of education. Even though online learning looks to be an easy task, it is not, especially if an educator is looking forward to creating an engaging online class. Making online classes fun and interactive requires skill and here are a few ways by which you can make online classes both interactive and fun. 

1. Choose the right platform 

Before you make the online classes fun, it is important to choose the right platform to avoid any disruptions in the online class. Before you decide on the platform, it is important to try different platforms such as Zoom, Google Hangouts, Webex, and Adobe Connect. After testing the platform, it is important to decide whether you need a free or paid subscription. After choosing the right platform, learn how to use it properly. After that, send proper invites and clear instructions to the students for a seamless class. 

2. Show your face to the students

Simply an audio class is boring and it immediately becomes less engaging for the students. Therefore, it is important to turn on the camera while interacting with the students. You can also encourage the students to turn on the camera to increase the interactivity amongst the students. Further, seeing the faces of the students ensures a more personal connection. 

3. Check-in with your students

Just like you would check in with your students in a physical classroom, it is important to do the same exercise during online classes. This is crucial to ensure that all the students are on the same page and understand the lesson. Also, it is important to encourage questions by the students to ensure that they develop a deep understanding of the topic and such practices help prepare for a good Sarkari Result too, in addition to other exams. 

4. Provide the students with interactive activities

The best learning happens during active participants by the students. Active participation during online classes can be ensured via interactive activities like presentations, group discussions, and quizzes and such activities are also helpful in developing a personality for preparing for Government Jobs. Depending upon what interactive activities are suitable for a particular lesson, an educator should incorporate the same in the online classroom. 

5. Divide the class into smaller group

It is a common practice in physical classrooms where the larger class is divided into smaller groups for completing a particular assignment. This practice should also be encouraged during online classes. The Zoom platform supports breakout room functionality and there are additional platforms that provide the same feature. It should be used to make it possible for the students to interact with each other and have fun while learning. 

6. Include personal conversation 

Small talk is essential both in the professional and academic world to improve interactivity. Further, small talk allows you to see your students as real humans online. Having casual discussions in the classroom also helps in improving the bond and one might always experience one or more valuable life lessons. It is always a good idea to start the Monday by asking the students to share their weekend stories. 

7. Use technology to your advantage

Online classes have their own advantages. With the help of technology, it is possible to ensure that the online classes are filled with the usage of whiteboards, drawing tools, screen-sharing tools, and other tools. Using diverse tools will break the monotony of the content type and will make learning more fun. 

 

Online classrooms can be difficult for the students, especially because it presents a certain sort of isolation amongst them. This might result in demotivation amongst the students. Therefore, it is important to ensure that each student feels valued during the online classes. The same can be practiced by calling the students by their name, asking random students to tell what they have learned from their lessons. Also, it is crucial to take feedback from the student regularly to ensure that you can improve the way in which you deliver the lessons. Give the students a break every now and then and be patient with them. Remember that everyone is having a tough time because of the pandemic and showing kindness has become all the more important. 

 

5 Core Concepts You Should Know About Laos Culture

World Bank Assists Laos with Covid-19 Recovery

Being a landlocked country, Laos is a country that has managed to preserve its culture from the influence of other countries. Within the country itself, one will find huge diversity in the ethnicity and the linguistic group that makes it a culturally rich country. Even though Laos is a small country, it is a culturally rich country that houses more than 68 ethnic countries. 

1. Laos Are Against Undue Psychological Stress

Most of the Laos population follows Buddhism that promotes the cooling of the human mind. Strong emotions are not appreciated in the country and population, in general, believe in karma, devotion, and prayer. Away from the hustle culture of the West, Laos prefers to have an easy-going life with elements of fun. One of the core concepts of Laos culture is to avoid undue psychological stress. In the same alignment, it does not believe in being too much stressed for work or future plans. Even though sometimes, it is treated as a lack of ambition by the outsiders, the truth is that it is a sure-shot way of staying happy that cannot either be earned by winning a lottery such as Bodoland Lottery or withdrawing a monthly salary. Inner peace is everything for the Laos population. 

2. Lao Culture Revolves Around Pleasures Of Life 

As discussed previously, Laos avoids undue psychological stress but the question that arises is that how is that possible? It is possible in Laos because the Lao culture revolves around simple pleasures in life like eating, sleeping, having family time, or winning a Lottery Sambad. Socialization holds a priority in Laos culture and it often overshadows work problems. It is a general norm in Laos to ask whether you are enjoying your life and having fun or not. 

3. The Country Is FIlled With Open-Minded People 

Not even the Westerns are fully accepting of the gay community and transgender, but that is not the case in Laos who fully accepted this minority group. It is common in Laos to find Khatoeys working in hotels and restaurants, fully dressed with pride. Even though Laos has managed to preserve its culture, it is not conservative and believes in accepting everyone the way they are which makes the country a beautiful place to stay with the head held high. 

4. Fatalism Plays A Role In Perspectives Of Laos 

Fatalism refers to the idea that all the events that take place are pre-determined and sometimes, even if wanted, the outcome cannot be changed. This core concept is widely visible in the perspectives that are adopted by Laos. The perspective frees the people of Laos from the stress of wondering about the problems of the future and further makes them more acceptable towards the outcome that they receive. Fatalism visible in Laos people in no way can be seen that the people of Laos are running out of responsibility. It simply means that they are quite acceptable to the events and trajectories that they may encounter in their life. 

5. Time Is Flexible In Laos

In Laos, time is treated as a flexible entity and the Laos people prefer to practice mindfulness while ensuring that their mind is not troubled about the passing time. As a result, the Laos people treat time quite flexibly and one might find them very punctual in the social gathering. However, the same does not work for the business culture of Laos. In Lao business culture, punctuality is of utmost importance and it is used to show respect for the counterpart. Therefore, it is quite acceptable in Laos to arrive at a social gathering late but the same will not be seen with the same view when done for a business meeting. 

 

The culture and core concept of the Lao population is greatly shaped by the unity of the ethnic and linguistic diversity of the country. In Laos, conservative conduct is appreciated to ensure that harmony and unity exist in society. Further positivity is deeply appreciated in the country. The Lao people prefer to live a carefree life with a smile and appreciate liberty and freedom of expression while maintaining honor and reputation. One might find that the Lao people are very accepting in nature and often treat other people with respect. The local rhythm of Laos speaks for its national motto that states no problem. 

 

How To Celebrate A Merry Christmas In Laos

Laos is majorly a Buddhist country and only 2% of its population is Christian. However, it does not stop the Christians from celebrating Christmas enthusiastically and merrily. In fact, Christmas is celebrated in a unique way in Laos. Unlike other countries that have commercialized the festival, the real essence of the festival is still preserved in Laos which makes celebrating Christmas a must-have experience when in Laos on Christmas. Here are a few ways how you can celebrate Christmas in Laos to enjoy its full glory. 

1. Explore Vientiane

Vientiane is the capital of Laos and Christmas is celebrated with full enthusiasm with cities. Most of the shops and pubs in Vientiane are decorated with twinkling lights and the Christmas theme is followed strictly. In addition to that movie, marathons are run to keep the spirits high. Most of the places organize Christmas eve buffets that can be enjoyed the best in any happening place of the city. 

2. Send Christmas Gifts To Your Loved Ones

Keeping the idea of Santa Claus is important even for the adult to truly experience the essence of the festival. Christmas presents the perfect occasion to send thoughtful gifts to your loved ones. Even when it is possible to give gifts directly, for a change, try to mail the gift using courier services like TCS. The joy of receiving gifts via mail is unique and it brings a different kind of joy. 

3. Enjoy Outdoor Activities In Vang Vieng 

Vang Vieng is known for its outdoor activities like cycling, hiking, and rock climbing. If you want to celebrate Christmas outdoors, you can try visiting Vang Vieng. Just like the city of Vientiane, even Vang Vieng is decorated in a Christmas theme making it the perfect tourist destination. All the stores remain open on Christmas and therefore, you can be sure that you will have a gala time there. 

4. Host A Virtual Gathering

Even though the cases of Covid have gone down, the hard truth is that it still exists. If you want to avoid the crowd to avoid the Covid virus, you can celebrate Christmas by hosting a virtual gathering. You can also go for a virtual gathering celebration to celebrate the festival with the family members who cannot visit you due to some reason. Using platforms like Zoom and Google Meet, it is possible to virtually celebrate the festival with the same enthusiasm. 

5. Mail Cookies And Cake 

Christmas is all about spreading joy. Thankfully, because of courier services like VRL, it is possible to spread love and joy even when you are not at a physically close distance with your loved ones. If you are into baking cakes and cookies, you can mail your loved ones the homemade treats and surprise them. 

6. Visit Hill Tribe Homestay 

In Laos, the tourists can spend time with the local ethnic family of the country by experiencing homestay with the Hill Tribe. Homestay with the ethnic minority family allows you to experience a fresh perspective and ways of celebrating the knowledge while enriching your traditions and beliefs. It will be a good idea to bring some gifts along with you to spread joy amongst the hill tribe. 

7. Play Secret Santa

If by any chance, you along with your colleagues would be working in the office during Christmas, you can bring some fun in the office by playing Secret Santa. The game ensures that all the colleagues receive holiday appreciation. In Secret Santa, name cards of all the colleagues are prepared and everyone needs to choose a card. The card that you choose is the person for whom you need to be a Secret Santa and the Secret Santa needs to bring some gift for that person. 

8. Spend Time With Children 

If you are single and are living in Laos alone, then you can consider spending time with children. Spending time with orphaned children is a great way to celebrate Christmas. You can spend time baking cakes for them, by playing the role of Christmas and gifting the children and you can also further go ahead and read them Christmas stories. Not every Christmas party should be all about food and booze. Spending time with children is one of the simplest but happiest ways of spending Christmas. 

9. Go For A Family Dinner 

Keeping the Christmas tradition alive, go for a family dinner if all the family members are in Laos itself. Family dinner on Christmas is not about food but spending time with loved ones. You can go for a homemade meal on Christmas to enjoy the joy of simple home-cooked food. 

10. Decorate Your Home Plants

If you want to spend Christmas alone and want to enjoy it in solitude, to bring in the vibe of Christmas, you can consider decorating your indoor plants with twining lights, confetti, and paper cutting. You can further, make yourself a warm cup of coffee and read a book like Christmas Caro

China Provides New Shipment of Sinopharm Covid-19 Vaccines to Laos

China donates more Covid-19 vaccines to Laos
China donates more Covid-19 vaccines to Laos.

China has provided Laos with its ninth shipment of Covid-19 vaccines, as 1.9 million doses of Sinopharm land at Wattay International Airport.

Gojek and TBS Energi Utama form a joint venture to accelerate the development of Indonesia’s two-wheel electric vehicle ecosystem

The joint venture is aimed at developing the infrastructure for EVs in Indonesia, in line with Gojek and TBS’ commitments to achieve Zero Emissions by 2030

JAKARTA, INDONESIA – Media OutReach – 18 November 2021 – Gojek, Southeast Asia’s leading mobile on-demand services platform, and PT TBS Energi Utama Tbk (TBS), a leading integrated energy company in Indonesia, today announced the formation of a joint venture to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in Indonesia. The joint venture, known as Electrum, will act as a platform through which both companies will develop infrastructure for two-wheel EVs throughout the country.

Leveraging Gojek’s deep presence in Indonesia and TBS’ capabilities in the energy sector, the two companies will work together to build a comprehensive and scalable EV ecosystem, including two-wheel EV manufacturing, battery packaging, battery swap infrastructure and financing for EV ownership.

This joint venture is part of Gojek and TBS’ commitments to achieve Zero Emissions by 2030, which will see Gojek transition its fleet to 100% EVs and TBS invest in clean and renewable energy during the same time period. The collaboration is also in line with the Indonesian Government’s plans to make the development of the EV industry a national priority.

 

Gojek CEO and Co-founder, Kevin Aluwi, said, “We have always recognized that strong industry collaboration will be crucial to help solve the most pressing environmental challenges that society faces today. Gojek’s aim is to work together with partners to achieve our sustainability goals, including fully electrifying our transport fleet by 2030. By bringing together the best of Gojek and TBS’ strengths, we will be able to support Indonesia’s transition to building a cleaner, more accessible and sustainable mobility system – ultimately making EVs the norm in our country, contributing to the country’s emissions reduction targets and improving air quality in our cities.”

Pandu Sjahrir, Vice President Director of TBS, said, “TBS is fully committed to sustainability and our target of achieving net zero emissions by 2030. This collaboration with Gojek is part of our commitment to reinvest our current earnings in clean and renewable energy, in line with our business transformation goals and aim to become a greener business.”

Pandu Sjahrir added, “To enable large-scale adoption of EVs in Indonesia, it is crucial to develop a strong and comprehensive EV ecosystem. Our vast experience and deep understanding of the energy sector, combined with the large scale of the Gojek network, will be a catalyst for the development of the EV industry in Indonesia. As EVs become more widely available, we hope that this will inspire greater confidence in EVs from members of the public and encourage them to give it a try, so that they can also enjoy the many benefits of EVs.”

Gojek recently announced an EV and battery swapping pilot scheme in Jakarta in collaboration with Gogoro, Gesit and Pertamina. This will initially comprise 500 EVs, with plans to scale to 5,000 EVs travelling a total of one million kilometers in the future. With this pilot, Gojek customers will be able to select EVs when using the GoRide service in South Jakarta. Driver partners using EVs can also go about their daily routines more efficiently, serving customers across Gojek services such as GoRide, GoFood, GoSend Instant, GoShop and GoMart. The data from this pilot will also be used to further develop the technology and infrastructure for EVs, in order to meet the needs of Gojek’s driver partners, customers and the wider Indonesian market.

About Gojek

Gojek is Southeast Asia’s leading on-demand platform and a pioneer of the multi-service ecosystem model, providing access to a wide range of services including transportation, food delivery, logistics and more. Gojek is founded on the principle of leveraging technology to remove life’s daily frictions by connecting consumers to the best providers of goods and services in the market.

The company was first established in 2010 focusing on courier and motorcycle ride-hailing services, before launching the app in January 2015 in Indonesia. Since then, Gojek has grown to become the leading on-demand platform in Southeast Asia, providing access to a wide range of services from transportation, to food delivery, logistics and many others.

As of March 2021, Gojek’s application has been downloaded more than 190 million times by users across Southeast Asia.

Gojek is dedicated to solving the daily challenges faced by consumers, while improving the quality of life for millions of people across Southeast Asia, especially those in the informal sector and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The Gojek application is available for download via iOS and Android.

About TBS

TBS is an integrated energy company which currently conducts business in power, mining and plantation sector through subsidiaries. In recent business development, TBS is committed to reduce carbon footprint and help contribute to the betterment of the environment and future generation, by setting a target to achieve net zero emissions by 2030.

In the electricity sector, TBS has subsidiaries that developed the PLTU Sulut-3 2×50 MW project in North Sulawesi and the PLTU Sulbagut-1 2x50MW project in Gorontalo, as well as 1 subsidiary which developed a mini hydro power plant project of 2×3 MW in Lampung. In the mining sector, TBS has three subsidiaries that have Mining Business Permits in East Kalimantan, which are located close to each other with a total land area of 7,087 hectares.

As part of its sustainability commitments, TBS committed to use its earnings into green investment opportunities while gradually reducing exposure to fossil fuel related business.

Detailed information about TBS can be seen on the TBS website: www.tbsenergi.com


#Gojek

Tzu Chi Environmental Action Center to Open November 20

Old Village School Building after Green Restoration

Extends Kind-hearted Minds’ Very First Educational Legacy

 

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 18 November 2021 – The Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation Hong Kong Ltd. (hereafter “Tzu Chi Hong Kong”) today announced the Tzu Chi Environmental Action Center (“Action Center”) located on 5 Che Kung Miu Road will open to the public for free starting November 20 after green restoration of its original building. The Action Center’s environmental programmes, exhibitions and related expenses, is funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. Setting “Common Understanding, Common Consensus, Collective Action” as its core values, the Action Center aims to promote the public’s awareness of environmental protection that would lead to positive behavioral changes, and hopefully through the strength of collective action to implement environmental protection for body-mind-earth connection, our planet and home could be safeguarded by tackling climatic changes.

 

Back in 1950s Hong Kong’s economy had yet to take off and the school dropout rate among rural children was high. A Buddhist Free School was opened in 1954 at the site of now Action Center to provide basic education for children living in the neighborhood, thanks to the generous donation by overseas Chinese Boon Haw AW and Boon Par AW.  In 1982, the school operator Chi Hong Ching Yuen relocated the then-Primary School to a new campus in Yuen Chau Kok, Shatin. After that, the premises was converted into Chi Hong Kindergarten that continued to serve the community until year 2000. Chi Hong Ching Yuen then donated the premises to Tzu Chi Hong Kong for charity purposes after the school building was left vacant for two years. As the structure itself is a typical village school built with local materials, a large part of it was in a state of dilapidation after six decades of rains and winds.  Hence, a large-scale restoration project was taken place in 2019 to strengthen its entire architecture, preparing it for the next phase of journey.

 

Tzu Chi Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Officer Chung Ling SZE said, “Despite the moderate size of this Action Center, our thoughtful touches throughout the restoration process can be easily seen anywhere. We follow the 7Rs Rule closely – we RESPECT all things, both animate and inanimate; REPAIR things to make them durable as much as possible; RECYCLE all resources in a systematically way; REFUSE excessive consumption and packaging; encourage to REDUCE at source; REUSE whenever possible; and RETHINK the importance of the symbiosis between humans and Earth and promote it – making the Action Center an ideal eco-education place for the public to engage in experiential learning on environmental protection through ‘Common Understanding, Common Consensus, Collective Action’. I would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for its donation to support the environmental programmes of the Action Center, exhibitions and related expenses.”

 

This green restoration project, revolving around the fundamental concept of “Biophilic Design” is intended to bring visitors closer to the nature. The building uses daylighting and natural ventilation, so as to connect the exterior scenery with the interior. The project’s architect Corrin CHAN said, “Tzu Chi Hong Kong has long been committed to promoting environmental protection in Hong Kong for many years, advocating ‘Purification at Source’ and emphasizing the actual practice of environmental protection. This explains why eco-friendly renovation appears to be the topmost option. Such transformation has established dialogues between the then and now, using green architecture as a means of expressing the Action Center’s aim of promoting environmental protection.”

Sticking to the 7Rs Spirit, all restoration works were completed with the use of green building materials, including fast-growing eco-bamboos which were used as an alternative to wood on flooring, wall finishes, doors, window frames, windowsills, outdoor fences, and staircase along with handrails; eco-friendly paints with low VOC (volatile organic compound) applied on the exterior and interior of the building; and Palm Eco Board. The rest of materials are: “Da Ai Eco Plastic Wood” made from PET bottles and PE milk bottles; “Ji Si Eco Inter-locking Bricks” made from the PE lining of disposed paper containers; as well as the DIY Yellow Sand Bricks handmade by volunteers. In addition, all wall and floor tiles of the site were donated by a local developer which has been keeping the surplus materials from other construction projects in the warehouse, so as to REDUCE at source. 

 

The solar-powered panels installed atop the building can cover all necessary electricity demand for the structure. Aiming at carbon neutrality, excess power can be fed to the central power grid. The rainwater collection system provides water resources for irrigation and partly for daily cleaning use.

 

Two exhibitions, both echoing environmental concern, will be concurrently staged in the Action Center. The inaugural exhibition Common Understanding · Common Consensus · Collective Action staged at “The Planet Room”, presents the catastrophic imprint on the earth caused by wind disasters, flooding, water pollution, forest fires, and human behaviors through a variety of installations and exhibits, allowing visitors to experience and reflect on the symbiotic relationship between human beings and Earth, thereby awakening them to induce individual habitual changes so that they can take action for environmental cause. Carbon Reveries designed by the artist Chris CHEUNG (h0nh1m) is an interactive ink art installation recording the astonishing annual increase of carbon dioxide content in the atmosphere through the data analysis of climate changes in the past 63 years.

 

“Jockey Club Eco Co-Creation Space” presents a themed exhibition A Breeze from the Woods implementing the principles of the Action Center. In the exhibition the woodwork artist Che LAM delivers the concept of ocean conservation through 108 hand-made wooden sharks of various sizes. Other works include wooden stools and wooden radios illustrate endless possibilities of wood remodeling.

 

Other visit-worthy spaces in the Action Center include “Da Ai Technology Room” displaying the achievements of using technology in recycled materials; “Ethical Eating Room”, providing a glimpse of vegetarian dining culture and offering vegetarian cooking classes; and “Jing Si Humanistic Culture Room” promoting kindness and love to purify soul. The Action Center handles recycling and sorting every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, so as to encourage volunteers and visitors to practice environmental protection in person. Yuk Lin CHOW, a veteran volunteer at Tzu Chi Hong Kong said, “We are very fortunate to have taken a tougher road by restoring the premises. As opposed to demolition and reconstruction, not only can the restoration preserve the structure but also the original intention of the building at the time of construction, that is, to carry on the original intention of providing education. I hope that the founding of the Tzu Chi Environmental Action Center will further enhance Tzu Chi’s environmental protection concept of ‘Purification at Source and Quality Classification’. Through exhibitions and other activities, we strive to educate the public on the benefits of environmental protection and reduce unnecessary material consumption, thereby enabling the harmonic co-existence between mankind and Earth’s resources.”

Tzu Chi Environmental Action Center

Address

:

5 Che Kung Miu Road, Tai Wai

Opening Hours

:

10:00-12:30 and 13:30-17:00 Mondays, Wednesdays

to Sundays (Closed on Tuesdays and Public holidays)

Telephone

:

2337 0158

Fee

:

Free Admission

*To avoid overcrowding, visitors are advised to register on Action Center official website before visiting. Walk-in visits will be subject to availability.

Website

:

www.tzuchieac.org.hk

About Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation HK Ltd.

Established in 1993, the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation Hong Kong Ltd. is a non-profit charity organization upholding the spirit of great-loving kindness with the elements of “Sincerity, Integrity, Faith and Truthfulness” and “Unconditional Kindness. Universal Great Compassion” for more than two decades. Apart from actively promoting charitable works, such as regular visits to hospitals, homes for the blind, nursing homes, mentally recovered individuals, and schools for physically-challenged children, Tzu Chi Hong Kong also engages in other benevolent works from cases, including individual care services, visits to the homeless, emergency relief and free health check. Additionally, the Hong Kong chapter is committed to promoting Tzu Chi’s humanistic culture, advocating the teaching of Jing Si Aphorisms, organizing parent-child growth classes for children, and providing financial assistance for the underprivileged students.

In November 2009, Tzu Chi established the first environmental education station in the Tai Wai Liaison Office, where a new impetus was injected to power Tzu Chi’s mission on Hong Kong’s environmental protection. The Hong Kong branch has so far set up a network of 20 environmental recycling stations throughout the city. The total weight of recycling items, with the inclusion of plastic, paper, hardware and glass, amassed from the community was 268,128 kg in 2019. Tzu Chi has begun to operate the “GREEN@QUARRY BAY” which is one of the recycle stores of the “GREEN@COMMUNITY” program launched by the Environmental Protection Department. “GREEN@QUARRY BAY” launched since the end of December 2020 has taken Tzu Chi Hong Kong to a new chapter in environmental recycling.

For more information, please refer to Tzu Chi Environmental Action Center official website: www.tzuchieac.org.hk

For higher resolution photos and captions, please check this link:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ntc42r12e10mdd4/AABCuvRb_0ZT5U1H_Bx0DUmua?dl=0

#BuddhistCompassionReliefTzuChiFoundationHongKong #TzuChiFoundation

Tzu Chi Environmental Action Center Presents Exhibitions

Common Understanding · Common Consensus · Collective Action and

A Breeze from the Woods

An Initiative to Promote Eco-protection Concept “Co-exist with Earth”

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 18 November 2021 – Tzu Chi Environmental Action Center (“Action Center”) will open to the public for free starting November 20, 2021, after green restoration of its original premises. With an aim to promote the public’s awareness of environmental protection, the Action Center will stage two art exhibitions, Common Understanding · Common Consensus · Collective Action and A Breeze from the Woods in its first season. Each in unique style carries equivalent message toward environmental concern. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust is the funder for the Action Center’s environmental programmes, exhibitions, and related expenses. In addition to exhibitions, the Jockey Club “Begin in the Heart” Environmental Collective Action Programme consists of a series of workshops, vegetarian cooking classes, and themed talks on regimen, climate change and green architecture.

 

Chief Executive Officer of the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation Hong Kong Ltd. (“Tzu Chi Hong Kong”) cum representative of the Exhibition Curatorial Committee Chung Ling SZE explained, “In addition to the Action Center’s regular educational programs for the community and schools, ‘The Planet Room’ and ‘Jockey Club Eco Co-Creation Space’ are two spaces designed for exhibition activities. We hope to share our beliefs on ‘Common Understanding, Common Consensus, Collective Action’, ‘Purification at Source’ and the 7Rs[1] spirit through cooperation with different artists at both spaces; thereby, encouraging visitors to practice the environmental protection concept of ‘Co-exist with Earth'”.

 

Climate change has brought forth extreme natural hazards. Over the years, excessive use of fossil fuels, deforestation and animal husbandry, along with overconsumption have severely damaged the ecological environment, leading to seasonal instability and subsequently wind, water, fire and land disasters. Architect cum representative of the Exhibition Curatorial Committee Corrin CHAN pointed out, “When it came to curating these two exhibitions, our curatorial committee and team adhered to the belief of ‘Co-exist with Earth’. Backed by statistical research, the opening exhibition Common Understanding · Common Consensus · Collective Action reveals the catastrophic imprints from wind disasters, floods, water pollution, forest fires, and human behavior on the earth through a combination of visuals, short films, audio installation and exhibits, aiming to connect visitors with their body and mind. The other themed exhibition A Breeze from the Woods showcases the joy to life with the reuse of waste wood.”

 

Opening Exhibition – Common Understanding · Common Consensus · Collective Action at The Planet Room (Permanent Exhibition starting November 20, 2021)

The exhibition begins with Common Understanding toward the global warming crisis and its major causes, sets to achieve Common Consensus among visitors on the importance to phasing out the continuous climatic hazards through the learning of 7Rs rule, and encourages the visitors to become a Common Action Taker after awakening, live a simple life by implementing “Purification at Source”, and reach a harmonic co-existence with our planet.

Recommended viewing sequence for Common Understanding · Common Consensus · Collective Action is as follows:

 

Wind – Through short films to view casualties and financial losses around the globe caused by wind disasters, such as tornadoes and tropical cyclones.

Water – An abnormal climate has caused localized flooding disasters on the planet, as well as heavy rains and blizzards to occur one after another, while in some places there have been persistent droughts resulting from insufficient rainfall. The interactive installation “Hong Kong in 10 Bottles” assessed the quality of Hong Kong’s water resources whose samples were collected from 10 places in town by Tzu Chi volunteers from different age groups.

Fire – Wildfires caused by lightning strikes, droughts and human factors not only burn down forests and human living facilities, but the toxic smoke they produced also induces respiratory diseases.

Land – The impact of human destruction on mountains, forests, and land are evident when a number of severe soil erosion occur amid earthquakes and heavy rains. Chris CHEUNG (h0nh1m)’s interactive ink installation Carbon Reveries records the stupefying increase in carbon emission over the past 63 years. 12 bamboo pipes are used to form a bamboo grove. Each corresponds to a set of annual carbon emission data, allowing visitors to rethink the relationship between carbon emission, nature’s vibrancy and human intervention to the ecosystem. Chris explained, “This work makes visitors feel as if they were in the bamboo grove, breathing in sync with the nature and sensing the vibrancy of nature. When visitors touch each bamboo pipe with their own hands, the warm temperature of their palm will make the ink color of the bamboo pipe gradually fade out, implying human intervention to the nature.  The entire installation also looks like a set of factory exhaust pipes, reminding visitors that global warming is a crisis that brooks no further delay.” Upon understanding the irregularities of wind, water, fire and land, visitors can meditate at the round-shaped mediation area to reflect on what have been seen, heard, and felt; together with the round, mellow and harmonious sound of singing bowls, the entire setup is intended to awaken and inspire visitors to environmental protection from the body, mind to consciousness.

 

Themed Exhibition – A Breeze from the Woods at Jockey Club Eco Co-Creation Space (November 20, 2021 to March 12, 2022)

Woodwork artist Che LAM (Che Gor) has been engaged in hand-made woodwork for nearly two decades. His themed exhibition A Breeze from the Woods features a large-scale installation of 108 wooden sharks of various sizes. Hanging down horizontally from the ceiling to the ground, this installation brings visitors the pleasure of being in the deepness of the ocean, where they gaze face-to-face with the sharks. As an enthusiastic diver himself, Che Gor thinks that sharks are not terrible.  The stronger preying upon the weaker follows the law of nature, while high-end predators in the food chain like sharks are only small creatives existing in nature, yet the most important link to maintain the marine ecosystem. There are also several different mortise and tenon wooden furniture and toys on display at the same venue, including tenon wooden stools, wooden radios, wooden boxes with frosted glass depicting begonia flower motifs, wooden mobile phone holders, etc. Che Gor says, “Tzu Chi Environmental Action Center’s belief in cherishing materials coincides with my belief in ‘trees have life’ and the recycling of surplus wood and waste wood from any renovation projects.  I believe visitors to the Action Center will understand the power of environmental protection and will use all natural resources in a proper way.” A series of sharing sessions and workshops will be held in December, allowing visitors to craft wooden tops, mobile phone holders and experience tenon joints of wooden stroller assembly, etc. For registration and details, please refer to the Action Center’s official website.

Members of the Tzu Chi Environmental Action Center Curatorial Committee include Chung Ling SZE, Shu Lin LEE, Wing Kam LEUNG, Yuk Lin CHOW, Ching Hsiu HUANG, Man Lee NG and Corrin CHAN. Advisors include Stanley WONG (Anothermountainman) and Chi-ming SHUN (Opening Exhibition), while Kathfree FUNG and Sunny WONG are co-curators for both exhibitions.

 

Tzu Chi Environmental Action Center

Address

:

5 Che Kung Miu Road, Tai Wai

Opening Hours

:

10:00-12:30 and 13:30-17:00 Mondays, Wednesdays to Sundays

(Closed on Tuesdays and Public holidays)

Telephone

:

2337 0158

Fee

:

Free Admission

*To avoid overcrowding, visitors are advised to register on Action Center official website before visiting. Walk-in visits will be subject to availability.

Website

:

www.tzuchieac.org.hk

 



[1] The 7Rs include RESPECT all things, both animate and inanimate; REPAIR things to make them durable as much as possible; RECYCLE all resources in a systematically way; REFUSE excessive consumption and packaging; encourage to REDUCE at source; REUSE whenever possible; and RETHINK the importance of the symbiosis between humans and Earth.

About Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation HK Ltd.

Established in 1993, the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation Hong Kong Ltd. is a non-profit charity organization upholding the spirit of great-loving kindness with the elements of “Sincerity, Integrity, Faith and Truthfulness” and “Unconditional Kindness. Universal Great Compassion” for more than two decades. Apart from actively promoting charitable works, such as regular visits to hospitals, homes for the blind, nursing homes, mentally recovered individuals, and schools for physically- challenged children, Tzu Chi Hong Kong also engages in other benevolent works from cases, including individual care services, visits to the homeless, emergency relief and free health check. Additionally, the Hong Kong chapter is committed to promoting Tzu Chi’s humanistic culture, advocating the teaching of Jing Si Aphorisms, organizing parent-child growth classes for children, and providing financial assistance for the underprivileged students.

In November 2009, Tzu Chi established the first environmental education station in the Tai Wai Liaison Office, where a new impetus was injected to power Tzu Chi’s mission on Hong Kong’s environmental protection. The Hong Kong branch has so far set up a network of 20 environmental recycling stations throughout the city. The total weight of recycling items, with the inclusion of plastic, paper, hardware and glass, amassed from the community was 268,128 kg in 2019. Tzu Chi has begun to operate the “GREEN@QUARRY BAY” which is one of the recycle stores of the “GREEN@COMMUNITY” program launched by the Environmental Protection Department. “GREEN@QUARRY BAY” launched since the end of December 2020 has taken Tzu Chi Hong Kong to a new chapter in environmental recycling.

For more information, please refer to Tzu Chi Environmental Action Center official website: www.tzuchieac.org.hk

For higher resolution photos and captions, please check this link:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ntc42r12e10mdd4/AABCuvRb_0ZT5U1H_Bx0DUmua?dl=0

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