專題報導

Genervision House founders Christy Un and Arianna U at a UN Sustainable Development Goal workshop at the Institute of European Studies of Macau – All photos courtesy of Genervision House

14 DECEMBER 2021 BY RAFELLE ALLEGO

During a day trip to Oscar Farm in Coloane in July, Macao residents toured the grounds, learned how to harvest ingredients, and discussed sustainable food systems and agriculture practices. Organised by Genervision House, a local NGO founded by two young professionals in January 2021, and the Society of Food and Environmental Health, the farming workshop raised awareness about sustainability through hands-on experiences. And that’s exactly what Genervision House is all about: sharing knowledge and promoting sustainable development with its events, educational videos, experiential field trips and cross-sector collaborations.

今年7月，一群人到路環的金像農場視察，參觀了園區和學習各種食材，並討論了可持續食品系統和農業實踐。這是一個農場工作坊，由世望屋 – 由兩名青年成立的非政府組織 – 和澳門食物與環境健康學會舉辦，希望通過親身體驗提高人們對可持續發展的認識。這正是世望屋的宗旨:通過舉辦活動、教育影片、實地體驗和跨界合作，分享知識和促進可持續發展。

Though it’s been less than a year, the group’s work has already garnered recognition. In October, the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network Youth (SDSN Youth) programme approved Genervision House to join its international network, marking a first for Macao. With 750 member organisations across 127 countries, the UN programme seeks to empower young people to plan, advocate and work towards achieving the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

雖然還不到一年，這個組織的工作已經獲得了認可。今年10月，聯合國可持續發展解決方案青年網絡(SDSN Youth)計劃批准世望屋加入其國際網絡，這是澳門首個為推廣17個可持續發展目標加入該網絡的機構。這個聯合國的網絡在全國127個國家擁有750個成員組織，旨在幫助年輕人規劃、倡導和努力實現17個可持續發展目標。

“It feels exciting to be part of [SDSN Youth] because we can do more with international resources and assistance,” says 24-year-old Genervision House co-founder and Macao resident Christy Un, her eyes shining with excitement. “We want to collaborate with different experts worldwide so we could bring in the best practices into Macao, as well as share our stories with a global audience.”

24歲的世望屋聯合創始人、澳門青年Christy表示：「能成為SDSN Youth的一員真的很興奮，因為我們可以利用國際間的資源和支持做更多事情。」她的眼睛同時閃爍著興奮的光芒。「我們希望與世界各地的專家合作，將最佳實踐引入澳門，並與全球觀眾分享我們的故事。」

No better time

While starting an advocacy and knowledge exchange platform initiative during the Covid-19 pandemic posed challenges, Un and fellow 27-year-old co-founder Arianna U, say the devastation and uncertainty around the globe actually motivated them to act.

雖然在疫情期間啓動倡導和知識交流平台倡議帶來了挑戰，但Christy和27歲的聯合創始人Arianna表示，全球各地的瘡痍和不確定性反而促使她們採取行動。

In the years leading up to Genervision House, U, also a Macao resident, had been working in Mozambique as one of the first UNESCO interns from Macao. Meanwhile, Un studied at The London School of Economics and Political Science before joining a UNHCR internship in Jordan. Though they hadn’t met, Un discovered U’s blog online and reached out in 2019.

在建立世望屋之前的幾年裡，同樣是澳門人的Ariana一直在莫桑比克工作，是首批來自澳門的聯合國教科文組織實習生之一。與此同時，Christy在倫敦政治經濟學院學習，之後在約旦的聯合國難民署裡實習。雖然她們沒有見過面，但Christy在網上發現了Ariana的博客，並於2019年主動聯繫了她。

They travelled together in Jordan and Egypt in 2020, but both had to return to Macao due to the pandemic. For several months, Jordan experienced a stringent nationwide curfew, with air raid sirens echoing through the capital every day, Un recalls. The country also suffered from a supply shortage at the beginning of the pandemic and Un recalls eating only frozen meals for weeks as well as the occasional fresh vegetable delivered by her kind landlord.

她們曾於2020年在約旦和埃及旅行，但因疫情不得不返回澳門。Christy回憶說，在幾個月裡，約旦經歷了全國性的嚴格宵禁，空襲警報每天在首都響起。該國在疫情爆發之初也遭遇供應短缺，曾在數周內只吃冷凍食品，偶爾可以吃到她好心的房東送來的新鮮蔬菜。

“It was also very difficult to obtain real-time information as the situation unfolded rapidly and changed everyday,” Un says, expressing how grateful she is to her local friends who supported and assisted her. “It was also not an easy journey to fly back as flights kept being cancelled.” Eventually, she managed to get a flight.

她說:「由於事態發展迅速，每天都在變化，很難獲得實時信息。」她對支持和幫助她的當地朋友表示感謝。「回去也不容易，因為航班不斷被取消。」最後，她設法成功乘搭回家的飛機。

During quarantine, their idea for Genervision House took shape. The pair chose the name “Genervision” to communicate a message that it’s time for the next generation to step up and create a more sustainable world, they explain.

在隔離期間，她們建立世望屋的想法開始成形。她們解釋說，選擇「 世望 (Genervision)」這個名字是為了傳達一個信息：下一代是時候站出來創造一個更可持續的世界了。

After quarantine, both young women took up new jobs: Un worked as a research assistant for the United Nations University’s Cyber Resilience project; U freelanced as a communication consultant.

隔離後，兩位年輕女性都從事了新的工作: Christy擔任聯合國大學澳門研究所網絡韌性項目的研究助理； Ariana則是自由職業者，專業是溝通顧問。

“We really want more people to learn about the UN SDGs, from school students to corporates,” says Un, who is the association’s chief operating officer while working full-time. “At first, it was just the two of us, but then in less than a year, we now have 10 core members, all of whom are volunteers,” she says, adding that some work virtually while others reside in Macao.

「我們很希望更多的人能瞭解聯合國可持續發展目標，從學校學生到企業都需要認識。」身為該協會的首席運營官同時兼顧全職工作的Christy她表示。「起初，只有我們兩個人，但不到一年，我們現在就擁有10名核心成員，他們都是用私人時間義務幫忙。」她補充道，一些人在網上參與工作，另一些人則在澳門。

What are the SDGs?

At the turn of the millennium, the UN established eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to create a more equitable, healthier and more sustainable future for all. To build off the MDGs’ momentum, the UN proposed an expanded list of 17 goals in July 2014 that outlined global targets to hit by 2030. Some of the goals focus on tackling poverty — such as ‘No Poverty’, ‘Zero Hunger’, ‘Quality Education’ and ‘Reduced Inequality’ — while others tackle employment, consumption, health, wellbeing, climate action, clean water, and more.

踏入新世紀時，聯合國制定了8個千年發展目標，為所有人創造一個更公平、更健康和更可持續的未來。乘千年發展目標的勢頭，聯合國在2014年7月提出了17個擴大版的目標，列出了到2030年要實現的全球目標。其中一些目標側重於消除貧困，如「無貧困」、「零飢餓」、「優質教育」和「減少不平等」，而其他目標則涉及就業、消費、健康、福祉、氣候行動、清潔水源等。

While it intends to address all the 17 SDGs in Macao in the future, Genervision House currently focuses on five areas: Quality Education, Gender Equality, Reduced Inequality, Climate Action and Partnerships for the Goals.

雖然準備將在澳門實現17個可持續發展目標，但世望屋目前更專注於五個領域:優質教育、性別平等、減少不平等、氣候行動和目標夥伴關係。

While all the goals are important, the pair believe these few SDGs are the most essential in Macao. For example, the UN’s “Sustainable Cities and Communities” goal focuses on making human habitats “inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”, which the pair says is directly relevant to Macao’s urban lifestyle.

儘管所有這些目標都很重要，但兩人認為，這幾個可持續發展目標對澳門來說是最重要的。例如，聯合國的「可持續城市和社區」目標著重於讓人類的棲息地變得「包容、安全、有彈性和可持續」，這與澳門的城市生活方式直接相關。

“Macao faces flooding and typhoons,” says Un of the importance of addressing this SDG. The group also supports “smart city” initiatives because such technology has the power to improve infrastructure, communication, safety and sustainability. In addition, if Macao evolved into a smart city, the pair believes there would be greater transparency when it comes to planning, implementing and tracking Macao’s sustainability progress. For this reason, the group is proactively learning and sharing knowledge about the technology needed to make Macao a smart city.

In the same vein, the team also raises awareness about cybercrimes, because they believe Macao needs to protect citizens and companies. “This relates to the ‘resilience’ of the city,” Un says. “It also has many societal, environmental and governance benefits.”

A spirit of collaboration 

But they can’t do it alone. Achieving the SDGs by 2030 will require cooperation between the government, private sector and local people. All too aware of the collective efforts needed, Genervision House holds workshops for corporations and policymakers, where the NGO demonstrates how to implement SDGs holistically.

要成功，他們不能單獨行動。要在2030年實現可持續發展目標，需要政府、私營部門和當地居民之間的合作。由於意識到需要集體努力，世望屋為企業和決策者舉辦了工作坊，在會上展示了如何整體實施可持續發展目標。

By forging partnerships across the different sectors, Genervision House hopes to impact more people. They also advocate a three-pronged approach: raising awareness, creating a diverse community of like-minded people, and working with policymakers.

通過在不同領域建立夥伴關係，世望屋希望影響更多的人。他們還提倡三管齊下的方法: 提高意識、創建一個志趣相投的多元化社區、以及與決策者合作。

“Everyone has a role to play, and raising awareness from different corners of society is just the first step,” says 23-year-old Gladys Ng, the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and community project manager at Genervision House. “Many people in Macao are unfamiliar with the term ‘sustainable development’ or perceive it as solely environmental protection. We want to start by changing  people’s minds through education and media exposure.”

23歲的Gladys是世望屋的環境、社會和治理(ESG)和社區項目經理，她說:「每個人在可持續發展中都有一個角色，從社會的各個角落提高意識只是第一步。在澳門，很多人不熟悉『可持續發展』這個詞，或者認為它僅僅是環保。我們想從通過教育和媒體曝光改變人們的想法開始。」

While the SDGs have been translated and circulated in Chinese, many misconceptions remain. “When they’re just starting to learn about the term, people might first associate it with environmental protection,” says Ng.

雖然可持續發展目標已被翻譯成中文並廣為流傳，但仍存在許多誤解。「當人們剛開始瞭解這個詞的時候，他們可能首先會把它與環境保護聯繫在一起。」

“If people have more opportunities and channels to learn about sustainability, it is only a matter of time that they understand the importance of the SDGs,” adds Ng, with positivity.

「如果人們有更多的機會和渠道來學習可持續發展，他們能理解可持續發展目標的重要性只是個時間問題。」吳昌星積極地補充說。

Un agrees, adding that they plan to raise awareness through offline activities, like workshops, and online content, such as monthly newsletters and videos. “We’ve also held experiential activities, like our Gutenberg Soap Series Workshop,” says Ng. 

Christy表示同意，並補充說，他們計劃通過線下活動(如工作功)和線上內容(如月度通訊和影片)來提高人們的意識。「我們也舉辦了體驗式的活動，比如印章大變身工作坊。」

In collaboration with local artist Oriana Cheang, participants gathered at the Centro de Cultura e Artes Performativas Cardeal Newman in May to discuss sustainable consumption while carving pretty patterns on recycled soap collected from staycations and quarantines. They then used the patterned soap to stamp greeting cards made out of recycled paper.

今年5月，世望屋與本地青年藝術家Oriana Cheang合作舉辦工作坊，讓參與者們在澳門紐曼樞基藝文館討論可持續消費，同時利用staycation和隔離期間收集的肥皂上雕刻漂亮的圖案，然後在再生紙製作的賀卡上蓋章。

For International Women’s Day in March, Genervision House organised a potluck event in Hac Sa Beach with the Language Exchange & Culture Promotion Association to discuss gender equality – another SDG – over board games. Ng says they strive to host more events in the future and are currently planning another farming experience.

為迎接3月的國際婦女節，世望屋與澳門語言交流暨文化推廣協會在黑沙海灘舉辦了一場聚餐活動，通過桌遊討論另一個可持續發展目標——性別平等。Gladys說，他們將努力在未來舉辦更多的活動，目前亦正在計劃另一個農業體驗活動。

In addition to community events, the association hopes to collaborate with policymakers and present solutions to bring the SDGs to the forefront. While sustainable development has played a more central role in recent policy plans, the city has yet to integrate the SDGs into official roadmaps.

除了社區活動，世望屋希望能與決策者合作，為將可持續發展目標帶到前沿提出解決方案。雖然可持續發展在最近的政策規劃中發揮了更重要的作用，但澳門尚未將可持續發展目標納入其官方政策。

“Our vision is big, and it definitely will take time, but we are hopeful,” Un says. “We’re just beginning, but we’ve seen a lot more new faces and heard a lot more new voices who care about this topic… We can all adopt [the 17 SDGs] in our daily lives. It’s never too late to care about sustainable development.”

「我們的願景很遠大，這肯定需要時間，但我們仍然充滿希望。」Christy說。「我們才剛剛開始，但已經看到了更多的新面孔，聽到了更多關注這話題的新聲音…我們都可以在日常生活中採納17項可持續發展目標。關注可持續發展永遠都不嫌遲。」

Want to contribute to sustainable development in Macao? Genervision House suggests five simple ways to practice the UN’s SDGs in your daily life: 

1. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Lend a hand. Donate a book. Speak out against discrimination.
2. Reject, reduce, reuse, repair, recycle. If you have to buy something new, shop responsibly. Safeguard our environment and get involved in local development plans.
3. Support Fairtrade and minority-owned businesses. Mentor young people. Take a stand against workplace discrimination.
4. Read, converse, and exchange Ideas. Fostering peace through empathy and understanding. exchanges or reading.
5. Encourage your workplace to give back. Partner with charities. Encourage others to take action.

想為澳門的可持續發展作出貢獻?世望屋提出了在日常生活中實踐聯合國可持續發展目標的五種簡單方法:

1. 己所不欲，勿施於人；伸出援手；捐出一本書；反對歧視。
2. 拒絕，減少，再利用，修復，回收；如果你必須買新東西，購物時要有意識地選擇；保護我們的環境，參與本地的發展規劃。
3.支持公平貿易和少數群體（如婦女和少數族裔）的企業；引導年輕人發展； 反對職場歧視。
4. 閱讀、交談和交換想法；通過同情和理解促進和平。
5. 鼓勵你的工作機構回饋社會；與慈善機構合作；鼓勵他人採取行動。

18 November 2021 by Cathy Lai

The impact of climate change has intensified in recent years, with extreme weather conditions devastating communities worldwide regularly. Many young people have realised that they may be left to face the worst of the climate crisis.

Instead of watching and waiting, young people are taking the future into their own hands by protesting, organising awareness campaigns and demanding urgent action to avert disaster.

Cheng Hao Sheng, 20, is among these young climate activists. The Macao-born engineering student is currently in his third year at Tsinghua University’s School of Environment in Beijing. He’s also a member of the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate (GAUC), an international initiative launched in 2019 by 15 universities from six continents, including Tsinghua University, University of Oxford and Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.

This October, Cheng started volunteering with GAUC’s Global Youth Summit on Net-Zero Future to communicate with regional leaders and influence climate policies. The five-day summit, which took place both offline and online from 25-29 October, aims to mobilise climate actions by youth and higher education in the areas of Nature & Biodiversity, Food & Health, Energy, and Transportation and more.

As a volunteer co-organiser, Cheng shared his first-hand experience with climate change via video, drafted the Climate X Global Youth Declaration and spread the word on social media. In November, the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (also known as COP26) featured his video with its audience of global climate leaders.

We connect with Cheng to hear about his experience at the summit, academic and community projects, and vision for a more sustainable Macao.

Macao News: Why did you choose a career in environmental protection?

Cheng Hao Sheng (CHS): When I was a teenager, I learned at the Affiliated School of the University of Macau that we have been burning a lot of fossil fuels and that if we did not start conserving energy and water, we would face a resource-scarcity crisis. But what really struck me was Typhoon Hato, which hit Macao in 2017. It made me aware of the impact of climate change, which is affecting our lives right now.

In 2018, I learned about the Global Environment Programme offered by Tsinghua University during a summer camp. The class teaches technical skills in science and engineering, as well as environmental-related subjects such as diplomacy, management, economics and law.

Environmental protection is closely intertwined with our society and economy and, to tackle global environmental issues, we need people who specialise in technical skills, management and diplomatic law. I believed this programme could offer me the necessary skills to contribute to environmental protection, so I enrolled.

MN: Tell us about your experience with the Global Youth Summit on Net-Zero Future.

CHS: The Summit includes more than 30 student-led events, such as climate-research competitions, a “hackathon”, Voice Track [a collation of multimedia messages about climate change by students] and solutions-oriented meetings on how to energise youth across the world. I recorded a video for Voice Track sharing what I witnessed during Typhoon Hato, my thoughts on climate change, and the awareness campaigns and community work I do in Macao.

I also helped draft the Climate X Global Youth Declaration with students from around the globe. The declaration calls upon governments at all levels to enact legislation to combat the devastating effects of the climate crisis. Other responsibilities included writing press releases about each event and publishing them on social media.

MN: What did you learn by volunteering?

CHS: I realised once again the importance of regional and global cooperation for combating climate change. Many scholars, students, young people and citizens from around the globe are already working on the issue.

Facing large-scale crises like climate change and biodiversity loss can make us feel helpless and lonely. But GAUC has provided a dynamic platform to engage global citizens to tackle the problem together. We are not alone in this fight.

MN: What do you like to research in school?

CHS: I am particularly interested in the area of environmental economics and system analysis. [The former focuses on ecosystems’ monetary value and cost-benefit analysis; the latter researches the interaction between human activity, the environment and the economy]. When we try to formulate a solution to reduce carbon emission, it’s important to consider society, economy, environment and energy.

For instance, in 2020, China announced its goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. But how do we accomplish this goal while taking care of society and providing a smooth transition for the coal workers to another industry? That’s where environmental economics and systems analysis can come to the rescue.

MN: How else are you tackling the environmental issues in Macao and Beijing?

CHS: I am involved in community projects to spread awareness and knowledge about low-carbon and eco-friendly lifestyles. For instance, I am a core member of Genervision House, a Macao-based platform for knowledge sharing and advocacy that promotes the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Meanwhile, at Tsinghua University, I work with other students to organise environmental campaigns, such as recycling events and cleanup drives. Through these activities, we hope to inspire actions and behavioural changes.

MN: How does Macao compare to Beijing when it comes to environmental efforts?

CHS: People from Macao and Beijing may have a similar level of environmental awareness. But the implementation of environment-related policies differs. Beijing does better than Macao in promoting recycling because the city has stronger administrative means and executes more efficiently.

To help improve the environment, Macao could further promote electric cars and citywide recycling, and raise the plastic bag levy. But the government needs to be more courageous and innovative in adopting new and timely measures.

MN: What are your plans for the future?

CHS: The Global Environmental Programme at Tsinghua aims to cultivate two types of talents: environmental diplomats and specialists working at international organisations, such as the United Nations.

I am quite interested in working for these kinds of organisations, where I can help facilitate sustainable development negotiations and simultaneously balance the interests of each participating country. I may also want to become a scholar so that I can contribute to environmental protection from an academic perspective. I can’t say I have a concrete plan yet since there are a lot of possibilities.