#Hong Kong #Yidan Prize #education summit #Philanthropic Foundation

Connecting Global Knowledge with Local Experience at Yidan Prize Foundation's Annual Summit

On December 6, 2025, the Yidan Prize Foundation, a prominent philanthropic organization based in Hong Kong, brought together over 500 educators, young leaders, and NGO representatives from more than 50 countries across six continents for its flagship Yidan Prize Summit. This significant event allowed participants to honor those who lost their lives in the Tai Po fire by observing a moment of silence before the summit began.

Both local and international figures from the public, private, and philanthropic sectors engaged in a week of discussions centered around education, fostering an environment of shared knowledge and collaboration. Various parallel events were held in partnership with organizations such as the Hong Kong Foundation Exchange, Lirvana Labs, Our Hong Kong Foundation, the Faculty of Education at the University of Hong Kong, and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.

A Vision for a Unifying Community

At the summit, Dr. Charles Chen Yidan, the founder of the Yidan Prize, articulated the foundation's commitment to unite individuals as a community where learning from one another is paramount. He emphasized that the achievements possible through collective efforts far exceed those accomplished in solitude, stating, "We are paving the way towards a brighter future as a global learning community."

The 2025 Yidan Prize Summit operated under the theme, "Education at a Crossroads: Creating Joint Pathways for a Brighter Future," and convened over 200 educators, 100 youths, and leaders from more than 40 foundations, 30 universities, alongside 100 primary and secondary educational institutions during two impactful days.

Addressing Critical Topics

The first day of the summit delved into crucial topics such as maintaining our humanity in the age of AI, defining the opportunities and challenges surrounding educational technology, how synergy and collaboration can drive and sustain change, and cultivating leadership at all levels. Esteemed speakers included former interim president and education minister of South Korea, Ju-Ho Lee; Dr. Fengchun Miao from UNESCO on AI and the future of education; Andreas Schleicher from OECD; His Excellency Serigne Mbaye Thiam, from the Global Partnership for Education, and former Minister of Education of Senegal, along with Yongxin Zhu, founder of the New Education Initiative.

On the second day, the audience was inspired by transformational stories from three Yidan Prize laureates: Dr. Rukmini Banerji, Professor Usha Goswami, and Angeline Murimirwa. They shared their pivotal moments in becoming champions for global educational transformation, paired with insights from Olympic athlete and educator Yvette Kong, and youth leader Anna Yao.

Promoting Educational Change

A series of knowledge-sharing events co-hosted by the Yidan Prize Foundation were conducted, including a reflective forum titled "From Global Opportunities to Local Action: Charting Hong Kong’s Way Forward as an International Education Hub," which attracted international experts to discuss Hong Kong’s potential and the means to foster intercultural collaboration and educational innovation. The opening remarks were delivered by Dr. Jane Lee, President of the Our Hong Kong Foundation, alongside Bruce Au, Secretary General of the Yidan Prize Foundation.

On December 6, the 2025 Yidan Prize laureates officially received their medals, concluding a week of educational events in Hong Kong that acknowledged the achievements of the laureates and the educational community at large. Professor Uri Wilensky, the 2025 Laureate for Educational Research, shared his vision of democratizing computational thinking, advocating it as a fundamental literacy for all global students rather than a niche skill. Meanwhile, Mamadou Amadou Ly, the 2025 Laureate for Educational Development, highlighted his multilingual education work in West Africa, showcasing how it unlocks potential, preserves culture, and fosters a fairer future.

About the Yidan Prize Foundation

The Yidan Prize Foundation is a global philanthropic organization dedicated to making the world a better place through education. By supporting innovative ideas and practices, particularly those with the potential to transform lives and society positively, the foundation emphasizes the importance of impactful educational endeavors worldwide. The Yidan Prize represents the highest educational accolade globally, recognizing individuals or teams who have significantly contributed to educational theory and practice. Comprised of two symbiotic awards—the Yidan Prize for Educational Research and the Yidan Prize for Educational Development—this initiative aims to create a significant impact in education. Each laureate is awarded unrestricted project funding of HK$15 million over three years, aiding in the expansion of their work alongside a gold medal and HK$15 million in cash winnings, evenly distributed among the teams.

For more information, visit yidanprize.org or contact [email protected]. Find us on social media @yidanprize on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.