PolyU SPEED Hosts International Conference on "Well-being of Hong Kong Citizens under Emerging Public Policy Agendas" Featuring Keynote by Secretary for Housing Ms Winnie Ho, JP

To explore strategies for enhancing social well-being and optimizing governance, PolyU SPEED hosted an international conference titled "Well-being of Hong Kong Citizens under Emerging Public Policy Agendas" from 3 to 4 July 2026 at the PolyU West Kowloon Campus. The event brought together top scholars, policymakers, and industry leaders from around the world to shape the future development of Hong Kong and beyond.

Prof. Peter Yuen, Dean of PolyU CPCE and Conference Chair, delivered the opening remarks, setting the stage for the two-day programme.

Keynote Address by Secretary for Housing Ms Winnie Ho
The conference was highly honoured to have Ms Winnie Ho, JP, Secretary for Housing of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, deliver a keynote address. Speaking on the theme "Cultivating Well-being", Ms Ho explored how integrated housing and community policies can effectively promote the long-term well-being and quality of life of citizens.

Diverse Agenda and Global Perspectives
The two-day conference featured a rich and forward-looking agenda. Day 1 covered governance innovations and policy practices in the Greater Bay Area, European perspectives on well-being development (such as the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis in France), and key issues concerning public health, housing, and community livelihood. Day 2 included a leadership session with representatives from non-governmental organisations to delve into social well-being and governance leadership in Hong Kong, followed by an expert panel aimed at shaping future well-being policy directions.

Conference Background
This international conference is a key event under the PolyU SPEED project “Well-being of Hong Kong Citizens under Emerging Public Policy Agendas”. The project is supported by a grant from the Inter-Institutional Development Scheme under the Research Grants Council’s 2025/26 Competitive Research Funding Schemes for the Local Self-financing Degree Sector, with Prof. Roger Chan, Division Head of the Division of Social Sciences, Humanities and Design of PolyU CPCE, serving as the Principal Investigator. The project comprises one international conference, three academic seminars, and a workshop. It aims to foster inclusive urban policies based on community engagement, build a more resilient and equitable social framework, and ultimately enhance the well-being of citizens.