From Participant to Changemaker: My NextGen Philanthropy Journey
I am glad that I had the opportunity to participate in the NextGen Philanthropy program. It was a great opportunity for me to improve myself from different perspectives and broaden my social circle. I made a lot of new friends throughout the programme, and the whole journey was both enjoyable and rewarding.
To begin with, I have learnt the importance of teamwork and leadership. All of the participants were divided into different groups, and our team aimed to tackle the problem of food waste. Everyone in our team was passionate and hard-working. We organized Zoom meetings at night to discuss our ideas and prepare for the presentation, which showed that we were all committed team players. Although I did not take on a leadership role, I learnt a great deal from my teammates. I hope that I can play a bigger role in my future projects. The whole experience taught me that having a strong team spirit is one of the keys to success.
Throughout the journey, we visited many museums and places in Hong Kong. My favourite was the Islamic Centre in Wan Chai. Although it is located near my secondary school, I had never visited it before. I tried some Islamic food and learnt about Islamic culture and traditions. This experience was a valuable opportunity for me to appreciate the cultural diversity of Hong Kong.
Moreover, I learnt more about the proper use of AI. AI is becoming increasingly important in modern society. Before joining the program, I mainly used AI to help with my homework. Throughout the workshops, I learnt how to use AI more effectively and how to create AI-assisted videos. I also learnt that it is better to ask thoughtful questions and use AI as a tool for learning rather than generating the answers directly. Now, AI is a tool for me to improve and create, but not for copying answers only.
Most importantly, I realised that my role in philanthropy can change from being a participant to a leader. In the past, I mainly participated in local charity activities organised by my school or community, such as visiting the elderly centres and selling flags. However, after participating in this programme, I have become more confident in being a leader and participating actively in philanthropic events. Recently, I joined the district services and community care team and participated in activities like organising trips for the elderly and the local community.
Although our group did not win the final pitch, the NextGenprogram was still a meaningful journey for me. I made a lot of new friends, enjoyed exploring different parts of Hong Kong that I had never visited as a local resident, and learnt valuable lessons about teamwork and leadership. I hope that I can participate in more NextGen events in the future!
Written by Ambrose,
NextGen Class of Stephen Riady, 2026
Hong Kong | Age 16
