Elites Unite at the social enterprise research academy honorary awards ceremony

The "2023/24 Fellowship and Honorary Awards Presentation Ceremony" organized by the Social Enterprise Research Academy (SERA) has successfully taken place on August 12, 2024, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhiition Center. This year the SERA awarded 54 fellowships and awardees from various industries in the Asia Pacific region for their contributions to society. The Fellowship Qualification Assessment Scheme aims to recognize leaders as industry role models, promoting corporate social responsibility.

This year, the "Fellow Qualification Selection Program" has chosen three outstanding female honorary fellows: Dr. Emmanuelle Charpentier, Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry; Professor Gillian Choa, Director of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts; and Ms Penny Low, founder of Social Innovation Park and former Member of Parliament of Singapore. Their remarkable achievements and contributions to their respective fields reflect a commitment to excellence and serve as an inspiration for future generations.

Dr Charpentier stressed the critical role of science in addressing global challenges like climate change and health issues. She encouraged young researchers, especially women, to seize opportunities in the scientific community and contribute innovative solutions, making this an exciting time for new entrants in research. Professor Choa emphasized transformative power of the arts in uniting communities and inspiring positive change among youth. She highlighted sustainability as a core principle of the academy's initiatives.

Ms.Penny Low focused innovative solutions for social economic issues. She played a key role in establishing the first eco-town in the tropics and contributed to the development of Punggol New Town, which is set to be the largest township and a digital business district with 28,000 jobs. As a co-founder of the Social Enterprise Association (raiSE), she promoted social entrepreneurship in government policies and programs. Her efforts influenced national trade union cooperatives and the prison system, helping to reduce recidivism among former offenders.

This year's Social Caring Award recognized six winners for their contributions under the "Caring Pledge Framework."Mannings, Hong Kong's largest health and beauty chain, received the "Outstanding Social Caring Brand Award," while the Hong Kong Sterile Services Management Association was honored with the "Outstanding Social Caring Organization Award." Mr. Angelo Valenton of Power 4 All from the Philippines won the "Asian Social Caring Leadership Award," and Ms. Nihan Karaaslan Akdemir of The Unique Organic received the "Asian Social Caring Female Leadership Award."

Power 4 All, led by Founder and CEO Mr. Angelo Valenton, is to delivering innovative solutions for clean power and clean water. The enterprise with respected partners like the United Nations, World Bank, and USAID to promote sustainable initiatives in areas such as climate care, poverty reduction, and community development.