Youth Boardroom: Should Hong Kong Embrace Pet-Friendly Public Transport?

//16.4 HKFYG Highlights: Leadership

Enhancing pet-friendly public transport systems is becoming a trend worldwide. Should Hong Kong follow suit and implement such policies to support pet owners?

While legislators and animal rights organisations in Hong Kong have advocated for initiatives such as “pet-friendly carriages” and dedicated public transport services, significant debate lingers over the practicality and safety of these proposals.

The Youth Boardroom 2024 Roundtable Summit, organised by the HKFYG Leadership Institute in August, featured debates over the practicality and safety of initiatives to enhance the city’s pet-friendly public transport systems.

During this two-hour event, students engaged in a lively exchange of ideas, simulating the perspectives of various stakeholders, including government officials, pet owners, MTR representatives, and animal rights advocates. Through this dynamic role-playing exercise, students deepened their understanding of the complexities surrounding pet-friendly public transport, while honing their skills in convergent facilitation and conflict management. They worked collaboratively to identify common goals, build consensus, and propose innovative solutions.

During the session, students participated in a field trip to the MTR, an essential component of the programme that prepared them for their final presentation. This experience allowed them to grasp the realities of operating the city’s busiest public transport system. Anson Poon, a student from Yuen Long Public Middle School Alumni Association Tang Siu Tong Secondary School, described the field trip as an eye-opening experience. “I learned about the real working hours and workload of MTR employees, and the efforts they invest to ensure the smooth operation of the train system. Their work typically spans from 6 am to 2 am the next morning, so it’s crucial to consider their workload when discussing accommodating pets on public transport,” he explained.

The participants have also deepened their understanding of leadership skills. Poon believed that delivering a powerful speech is essential for a good leader who knows how to effectively capture the attention of listeners. “Being a good leader is not defined by your wealth or level of success; it is about your ability to engage and inspire your audiences.”

His feelings resonated with another participant, Zabrina Chan Yu-yiu, who took on the role of a pet owner during the programme. “Through this experience, I gained valuable insights into effective public speaking and learned how to persuade others with strong evidence. I applied ethos, pathos, and logos, and in the process, I built my self-confidence,” she shared.

Elizabeth Wong Kit-wai, a former journalist, debate education specialist, and founder of WKW Strategic Communications Studio, provided training throughout the programme. She highlighted the unique insights offered by HKFYG’s leadership programme, which students typically wouldn’t encounter in a traditional curriculum. “Middle school students often lack opportunities to engage with diverse backgrounds, making it hard for them to empathise with others. The field trip provided invaluable exposure,” she noted.

With her extensive experience in communication, Wong emphasised that effective leadership requires the ability to capture listeners’ attention and convey messages clearly, especially in an era where social media has shortened attention spans.

Additionally, Wong observed a narrowing generation gap, noting that the idols followed by younger students can differ significantly within just a few years. “Social media amplifies differences, making it essential to cultivate empathy to reach consensus. This advice applies to all generations as we navigate an ever-changing world.”

Julian Law Wing-chung, Founder and Director of Jervois One (Hong Kong) Limited, also made significant contributions to the programme by providing training and feedback. He expressed admiration for the students’ engagement and efforts. “They put great effort into understanding the perspectives of various stakeholders and demonstrated courage by speaking in front of everyone”, he recalled. “The students had different ages and backgrounds, and one of the youngest boys, in particular, stood out to me with his confident and fluent expression. Despite the varying levels of skills and abilities, each student gave their best, exceeding expectations and earning my deep admiration.”

With decades of experience in public communication, Law underscored the importance of communication skills in today’s dynamic and interconnected world. “A good communicator must clearly and logically express themselves while also listening and considering others』 perspectives. This balance is essential for effectively conveying messages and resonating with others.”

He also stressed on the importance of independent thinking. “Without this ability, it’s easy to follow others blindly and be influenced, rather than identify root causes and make informed decisions or propose effective solutions,” he concluded. ■

The Youth Boardroom 2024 Roundtable Summit organised by the HKFYG Leadership Institute is supported by the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) and funded by the Language Fund. Bringing together 50 students from 15 schools across Hong Kong, eight training sessions were held from May to August 2024. Committed to nurturing the next generation of leaders, the Institute designed this programme to cultivate empathetic leadership and enhance collaborative problem-solving skills.