What fresh insights can young people gain when philanthropy, leadership and AI intersect? In classes of the NextGen social‑impact program, young participants from Xi’an, Hong Kong and Singapore shared their genuine reflections. Travelling across geographical divides to join the sessions, they challenged preconceived ideas, re‑examined the essence of leadership and discovered more diverse dimensions of philanthropy.
Amy studies at Law Ting Pong Secondary School in Hong Kong. Together with her classmate and close friend Coco, she commutes across the border from Shenzhen every day for the program. For Amy, curiosity and passion serve as her biggest motivation for this long‑distance cross‑border learning journey. Though her commute means setting off at six o’clock each morning, she is deeply drawn to the spirit of service embedded in philanthropy.
Fu Zixin (Sunny) comes from Xi’an. Prior to joining NextGen, he independently ran a local public‑welfare fund supporting children with autism. The program deepened his understanding of leadership: leadership is far more than merely directing others. It also means supporting and uplifting every team member along the way. A true leader keeps long‑term development in sight while grounding work in concrete, actionable steps in the present — with positive, altruistic help for others as the ultimate goal.
Li Jiaqi (Emily) is currently studying in Singapore. Before taking part in the program, she served as chairperson for her school’s TEDx event. Back then, she believed a leader’s job was to assign tasks to team members, with core ideas discussed and decided among leaders for teammates to carry out. Her perspective shifted after the program: leaders and team members stand on equal footing. The heart of leadership lies in coordination and communication — facilitating collective brainstorming, building shared consensus and marching toward common goals as one group.
Lau Wai Yan is from Hong Kong. Her former impression of philanthropy centered on large‑scale charities deploying funds and resources to assist vulnerable groups. Through the program, she realized ordinary individuals can exert influence as members of their communities. She also recognized new opportunities AI brings to social good: AI can act as a communication medium to raise awareness of social issues, boost outreach for public‑welfare initiatives and amplify the power of kindness.
