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AFTEC Distils 16 Years of Arts Education Leadership into New Book, Offering a Roadmap for Hong Kong’s Creative Future
Igniting a Creative Renaissance, New Book Evolving Creative Mindsets Provides the Roadmap to Transform Hong Kong Schools
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 October 2025 – AFTEC today hosted the official book launch for Evolving Creative Mindsets: Thinking Through the Arts, where leading experts from academia and policy research called for a systemic shift in education to secure Hong Kong’s future. The event, held at the Fringe Club, brought together educators, policymakers, and cultural leaders to discuss the critical role of creative learning in an era of global uncertainty.
Authored by Ms Lynn Yau, AFTEC’s Chief Executive Officer, and published by Hong Kong University Press, the book arrives at a pivotal moment. The latest OECD PISA creative thinking assessment has highlighted a global need to strengthen creative skills, and this book offers a timely roadmap for Hong Kong to address this challenge and cultivate a more innovative generation.
A Call to Action: Nurturing ‘First-Class Humans, Not Second-Class Robots’
Speaking at the launch, author Ms Yau said: “For too long, the arts have been perceived as peripheral—for entertainment or school portfolios, but not as a core driver of learning and innovation. This book is a call to action, built on 16 years of frontline work with AFTEC. It demonstrates through real-world case studies how we can bridge the gap between the arts and education. We need to move away from siloed thinking and build a true ecosystem where creative mindsets can flourish. This is not just about creating artists; it’s about nurturing what Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills at the OECD, calls ‘first-class humans, not second-class robots.'”
Although the arts have been firmly planted in the Hong Kong school system since the 1950s, they are often sacrificed in place of core subjects and preparation for examinations. Drawing on over 16 years of exploration and experience, Yau makes the case that arts are critical to cultivating creative mindsets, which are our best resource for innovating and responding to challenges in this complex world of sudden changes. Through case studies and conversations with practising artists and educators, the book demonstrates why arts and education, two normally discrete disciplines, should be broadly integrated into the local Hong Kong curriculum, and how this can be—and has been—achieved.
The book launch began with a guided exhibition tour led by the AFTEC team, followed by a dynamic panel discussion. Experts including Mr Victor Kwok, Deputy Director of Research at Our Hong Kong Foundation; Professor Anna Hui of City University of Hong Kong; and independent evaluator Mr Robert Li explored the policy barriers, the economic case for investing in creativity, and the practical steps needed to foster a more innovative education system.
Inside the Book: A Blueprint for Transforming Hong Kong’s Schools
Evolving Creative Mindsets: Thinking Through the Arts is a comprehensive guide that deconstructs the challenges and opportunities facing Hong Kong. It explores:
- The “Poverty of Imagination”: An analysis of how economic and educational constraints can limit the cognitive and emotional growth of young people, and how the arts can redress this imbalance.
- A Proven Pedagogical Model: Detailed case studies from AFTEC’s programmes, such as the Sm-ART Youth and Bravo! Hong Kong Youth Theatre Awards, which showcase practical methods for fostering creativity, critical thinking, and resilience.
- A Blueprint for Policy: A proposal for a phased, 10-year human resources plan designed to cultivate a new generation of “Creative Practitioners” and build a more sophisticated, engaged audience.
- The Future of Learning: An examination of how skills nurtured through the arts—such as abstract thinking, emotional intelligence, and collaboration—are precisely the competencies demanded by a future global economy where 47% of jobs may be automated.
The book challenges the status quo, urging a move from short-term, “copy-and-paste” collaborations to deep, sustainable partnerships. It critiques the current “service provider” model, where arts groups are hired for one-off school performances, and instead advocates for embedding creative practitioners within the educational fabric. The work has already received high praise from international and local leaders in arts education, policy, and culture (see appendix II).
In her closing remarks, Ms Yau reiterated the book’s central message: “The core question we must ask is how to empower our youth to navigate a world of increasing complexity and ambiguity. The answer lies in evolving our mindsets. This book is an invitation to our entire community—educators, artists, policymakers, and parents—to sit side-by-side and build a truly creative city together. The future starts now.”
This book is intended for policymakers, teaching and learning professionals at K-12 and tertiary levels, visual and performing arts establishments, and arts institutions that nurture educators and artists. The volume will also appeal to readers curious about how and why the arts should be foundational to education and capacity building in the twenty-first century.
The copy is available on https://hkupress.hku.hk/Evolving_Creative_Mindsets
Appendix I: Synopsis
| Chapter | Synopsis | Selected Quote |
| Introduction | The introduction establishes the book’s central thesis: Hong Kong’s education system sacrifices the arts, hindering the development of creative mindsets crucial for the 21st century. It defines key terms like “arts-in-education” and presents a roadmap for integrating the arts and education, framing the book as a call to action for policymakers, educators, and artists. | “Our best resource is our creative mindset, hence the cultivation of our people.” |
| Part A: Origin | ||
| Chapter 1: Cracking the Creativity Code: The Future Starts Now | This chapter traces two decades of Hong Kong’s education reforms, revealing a persistent gap between policy aspirations for creativity and classroom reality. It makes a powerful economic case for change, citing global reports on the future of work to argue that creative and social intelligence—skills honed by the arts—are essential for the jobs of tomorrow. | “Rote learning cannot save jobs. Adaptability and flexibility to deal with suddenness are crucial.” |
| Chapter 2: The Power of Imagination: Redressing Poverty? | The author introduces the concept of a “poverty of imagination” as a direct consequence of a deficit-based education system focused on rote learning. The chapter argues that redressing this requires a shift to an asset-based model that uses the arts to release the imagination, making empathy and a belief in alternative futures possible. | “As dismal as economic poverty is the poverty of the imagination. In the end, these children may not see alternative ways of living, ways to gain a better quality of being because they are not exposed to, nor do they understand, possibilities and probabilities.” |
| Part B: Passage | ||
| Chapter 3: In Praise of Gaps: Programming with Voids | This chapter details AFTEC’s core strategy: identifying and filling “gaps” in the arts and education ecosystem. Instead of routine programming, the organisation creates targeted projects—from theatre productions that embed learning to cross-sector collaborations with medical schools—that serve as proven models for change and capacity-building. | “Gaps need not be ascribed as failings; they can be opportunities to create something of substance to fill the void.” |
| Chapter 4: Passivity to Engagement: Sm-ART Youth Case Study | Through a detailed case study of the seminal Sm-ART Youth project, this chapter provides a practical roadmap for transforming passive students into engaged learners. It demonstrates how to cultivate a creative classroom by rethinking the physical environment, building trust, and integrating cultural outings and parent collaboration to foster autonomy and self-expression. | “Cookie-cutter activities in which the standardised requirement of the teacher reigning as the sole source of information and students producing the same answers were replaced by authentic experiences that engaged the child’s own experiences, thoughts, and feelings.” |
| Chapter 5: Reflections as Assessment: Acknowledging Considered Thinking | This chapter challenges the traditional view of assessment in the arts, moving “from measurement to judgement.” It champions reflective practice—through journals, dialogues, and guided questioning—as a powerful tool to assess and document qualitative growth. Using case studies, it shows how this approach makes intangible changes in students’ confidence and critical thinking visible and valuable. | “Assessment and evaluation are about storytelling, that through narratives, we can tell how we are doing what we are doing, thereby giving confirmation to why we should continue (or not) doing it.” |
| Chapter 6: Those COVID Days: The Arts and Well-Being | Using the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic as a backdrop, this chapter explores the critical link between the arts and well-being. It documents how AFTEC adapted through a “growth mindset” and presents compelling case studies and international research showing how arts engagement promotes mental health, resilience, and social-emotional learning, especially for the vulnerable youth. | “It took a global pandemic to start this conversation.” |
| Part C: Bearing | ||
| Chapter 7: Creative Mindsets, Creative City: OECD PISA Creative Thinking Test | This chapter analyses Hong Kong’s lacklustre performance in the landmark 2022 PISA creative thinking assessment, contrasting it with top-performing economies like Singapore. It argues that the results are a direct reflection of a school system that, despite policy rhetoric, does not systematically cultivate the creative habits of mind needed for a truly innovative city. | “If we are indeed to be the East-West Centre for International Cultural Exchange, then the degree of contentment, or complacency, should be a driving force.” |
| Chapter 8: Museums and Performing Spaces: Sites of Creative Learning | The author reimagines museums and performance venues not just as places for consumption but as dynamic “Sites of Creative Learning.” The chapter argues that by moving beyond chronological displays and passive viewing, these spaces can become powerful environments for fostering inquiry, critical thinking, and deeper audience engagement. | “The tightness of space need not hamper the expanse of the mind. Their evolution as sites of creative learning has immense possibilities.” |
| Chapter 9: Contextualising Human Resource Planning: A Triumvirate Concept | This chapter presents a strategic blueprint for developing Hong Kong into an East-West cultural hub by strengthening the “triumvirate” of audience, schools, and creative practitioners. It argues that the current supply-demand imbalance in the arts can be rectified by investing in a recognised, professionalised corps of “Creative Practitioners” who can elevate both arts education and audience sophistication. | “Quantity may be good as long as funding lasts; quality delivers higher sustainability through investing in current and future generations.” |
| Chapter 10: Myths and Misunderstandings: Musings and Replies | In this concluding chapter, the author directly confronts and debunks common myths about the arts—from the idea that they are merely peripheral to education, to the belief that creativity is only for artists. It serves as a final, passionate plea for a more nuanced and accurate understanding of the value of the arts in society. | “The arts have everything to do with everyone if only we manage to open up, through creative learning, to create curiosity and subsequent inquisitiveness.” |
| Epilogue: First-Class Humans | The epilogue serves as a powerful concluding call to action. It poses a critical question for Hong Kong’s future: “How can we ensure our young people become first-class humans and not second-class robots?” The answer, the author concludes, lies in systemically embedding creative learning at the heart of education and society. | “In space-constrained Hong Kong, physical limitations can inspire the growth of mental capacity when we nurture creative thinking and artistic expression.” |
Appendix II: Testimonial
‘Our schools and professional communities increasingly need creatively vibrant learners to succeed. Evolving Creative Mindsets hits the bull’s-eye exactly, showing creative practitioners how the AFTEC approach, proven by research and by similar best practices around the world, effectively develops the innovative learners and active creators we want and need. Bravo.’
– Eric Booth, co-founder of International Teaching Artist Collaborative (ITAC) and author of Making Change: Teaching Artists and Their Role in Shaping a Better World
‘Lynn’s lived experiences are painstakingly distilled into a book that advocates the imminence of creative thinking as a top future skill set and how to cultivate it. This book speaks to those in education, culture and creativity, policy and grant-making, community NGOs, youth development, and even healthcare. Most importantly, this is one for all the parents in the city.’
– Helen So, board member of the Hong Kong Palace Museum
‘Evolving Creative Mindsets is an eloquent, evidence-rich treasure. Lynn Yau weaves Hong Kong’s vivid case studies with universal insights – uniting policy, assessment, well-being, and creative thinking in one compelling narrative. A practical handbook and visionary manifesto, it will inspire educators, policymakers, and artists striving for sustainable, globally resonant arts learning.’
– Anne Bamford, OBE, director of International Research Agency and former Strategic Education, Skills, and Culture Director for the City of London
Hashtag: #AFTEC
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About AFTEC
Advancing creative learning and arts education in Hong Kong
Creativity allows us to recognise potential within ourselves and the world around us. It promotes problem-solving, nurtures relationships, cultivates resilience, and can transform lives in countless ways. At AFTEC, we work with students, educators, and creative practitioners to plant the seeds of creativity in our community—seeds we have seen yield season after season.
As a proudly homegrown Hong Kong organisation, we nurture the city’s greatest natural resource — its people. Through co-designed, collaborative, and inclusive bilingual educational programmes, we create supportive environments where young minds are free to explore, express, and flourish. We spark imagination, build confidence, and foster a sense of growth and belonging together.
The Taiwan-born pet mobility brand opens its first SoHo pop-up inside Flying Solo, bringing its Nordic-designed pet stroller collection to the heart of New York City.
NEW YORK, USA – Media OutReach Newswire – 02 April 2026 – FikaGO, the design-led pet mobility brand recognized across Asia and Europe, has opened its first New York City pop-up store inside Flying Solo in SoHo. The opening marks a deliberate move for a pet brand into one of the world’s most competitive retail districts.
Since entering the online American market in 2025, FikaGO has built a growing community of pet parents who see their animals as a central part of everyday life. Positioned as lifestyle essentials rather than conventional pet gear, FikaGO’s range of products is designed for people who want the best for their fur babies.
“We’ve always believed that pet products should not only be functional, but also beautifully integrated into everyday life.” — Eric Guu, Co-founder, FikaGO
SoHo was a considered choice: Flying Solo, with locations in New York and Paris, is known for championing independent design with a distinctly global sensibility.
The pop-up showcases FikaGO’s auto-folding Free To Go 2 in Sandy Beige, the brand’s bestselling product. All FikaGO’s products are manufactured using eco-friendly fabrics made from recycled materials, reflecting a commitment to sustainability. This includes their large-capacity Agile 2 pet strollers to their airline-approved Truffle carriers and the heavy-duty Kross pet wagon.
“Launching in SoHo is a meaningful milestone for us; it allows customers to truly experience the quality, design, and intention behind every FikaGO product.” — Eric Guu, Co-founder, FikaGO
As pet ownership rises globally, particularly among urban millennials and Gen Zs, demand for products that combine functionality, design, and lifestyle integration continues to grow. FikaGO was built for precisely this moment, and SoHo is precisely where that moment lives.
Visit the FikaGO pop-up at Flying Solo, 419 Broome Street, New York, or explore the full collection at https://us.fikago.com/.
Hashtag: #FikaGO #petmobilitybrand #petstroller #petcarrier #petwagon #petkennel #petbiketrailer
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About FikaGO
FikaGO is a pet mobility brand founded in Taiwan, dedicated to crafting products that blend functionality, comfort, and modern aesthetics. With a presence across Asia and growing reach in Europe and the U.S, FikaGO is redefining everyday experiences between pets and their humans.
Media OutReach
Lee Kum Kee Celebrates Culinary Excellence at the Historic Hong Kong Debut of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026
From 23-25 March, Lee Kum Kee brought together top chefs, diverse cultures and industry communities through a range of thoughtfully curated experiences, bringing authentic Asian flavours to the global stage. As well as reaffirming the brand’s Asian roots and international perspective, its involvement reflected an enduring commitment to preserving culinary heritage and driving gastronomic innovation.
“Asian Flavour Duet“: A Culinary Journey Through Heritage and Innovation
Helping to build momentums for this year’s awards, Lee Kum Kee collaborated with Vicky Cheng, the acclaimed Executive Chef and owner of WING, to co-create the “Asian Flavour Duet”, a Hong Kong-style late-night supper party on 24 March. Hosted at two Hong Kong culinary landmarks, the experience unfolded in two chapters – “Paying Tribute to Heritage” and “Innovative Fusion” – and invited guests to explore the limitless possibilities of Asian flavour.
The evening began at the century-old Lin Heung Lau teahouse, a space filled with nostalgia and memories for generations of Hong Kongers. Chef Vicky reinterpreted classic Hong Kong late-night dishes using signature Lee Kum Kee sauces, while guests were immersed in the warmth of the historic venue.
The celebration then moved to Medora, Chef Vicky’s Western dining space, where an “Innovative Fusion” was revealed. He showcased his modern culinary philosophy by incorporating Lee Kum Kee sauces with contemporary techniques to create bold, unexpected dishes. Guests also enjoyed specially crafted cocktails infused with Lee Kum Kee sauces, alongside a delightful yet refined sauce-inspired gelato, demonstrating a harmonious interweaving of savoury, umami, sweetness and spice.
The multisensory journey seamlessly blended tradition with innovation, exploring the future of cuisine while highlighting Lee Kum Kee’s role as a global gateway to Asian culinary culture.
At the event, Dodie Hung, Executive Vice President – Corporate Affairs at Lee Kum Kee, commented, “Tonight, we are honoured to celebrate Hong Kong’s late‑night food culture with Chef Vicky and the global culinary community. From the legacy of Lin Heung Lau to the forward‑looking spirit of Medora, we are proud to be part of the creative journey and help showcase the depth of Asian flavours on the world stage.”
Celebrating a Gastronomic Brilliance with the Highest Climber Award Sponsored by Lee Kum Kee
During the awards ceremony on 25 March, Lee Kum Kee’s booth showcased a range of the brand’s acclaimed classic sauces and innovative products. Guests sampled specially crafted bites featuring Lee Kum Kee sauces, engaging directly with the flavours and techniques that have made the brand a trusted partner in both home and professional kitchens worldwide.
As part of the evening’s celebration of the region’s most exceptional culinary talents, the Highest Climber Award sponsored by Lee Kum Kee was presented to Lamdre in Beijing by Chef Park from Atomix (No.1 in North America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025). Lambre was applauded for its pioneering plant-based dining space that promotes healthy, sustainable living while honouring Chinese biodiversity in its menus.
In addition, WING, led by Chef Vicky, achieved an impressive second place in 2026 Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list. The restaurant had also previously ranked No. 11 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2025, underscoring its continued international acclaim.
Building the Future Together: Deepening Global Partnerships
With the success of this prestigious awards ceremony in Hong Kong, China, Lee Kum Kee looks forward to deepening its collaboration with leading talents in the global culinary community. By continuing to champion Asian flavours and foster meaningful dialogue and exchange, the brand will continue to bring the spirit of Asian cuisine to kitchens and dining tables around the world.
Hashtag: #LeeKumKee #LKK
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About Lee Kum Kee
Lee Kum Kee is the global gateway to Asian culinary culture, dedicated to promoting Chinese culinary culture worldwide. Since 1888, it has brought people together over joyful reunions, shared traditions and memorable meals. Beloved by consumers and chefs alike, Lee Kum Kee’s range of more than 300 sauces and condiments sparks creativity in kitchens everywhere, inspiring professional and home chefs to experiment, create and delight. Headquartered in Hong Kong, China and serving over 100 countries and regions, Lee Kum Kee’s rich heritage, unwavering commitment to quality, sustainable practices and “Constant Entrepreneurship” combine to enable superior experiences through Asian cuisine for people worldwide. For more information, please visit www.LKK.com.
About Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants
Launched in 2013, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants aims to showcase the outstanding achievements and diverse culinary landscape of the region. The list is determined by the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, a panel of over 350 culinary experts from across Asia who vote independently based on their specialised knowledge of the local dining scene. The Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants series includes the awards ceremony and list announcement, creating a premier networking platform for restaurateurs, media, seasoned travelers and culinary connoisseurs to celebrate the exceptional service, passion and talent in the dining industry.
- Herbert Vongpusanachai takes on the role of Senior Vice President for Commercial for the region, effective April 1, 2026
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 April 2026 – DHL Express, the world’s leading international express service provider, has appointed Herbert Vongpusanachai as Senior Vice President, Commercial for Asia Pacific, effective April 1, 2026. Herbert, who currently serves as Managing Director for DHL Express Thailand & Indochina, will be based in Singapore for his new role.
Herbert brings more than two decades of leadership experience within DHL Express, having successfully helmed multiple key markets across the region. He first joined the company in 2003 as Managing Director for Thailand & Indochina, later taking on leadership of Singapore in 2008, followed by Hong Kong & Macau in 2016. Since returning to lead Thailand & Indochina in 2020, he has driven sustained year‑on‑year profitable growth, transforming the cluster into one of the region’s key engines of expansion.
“Herbert has an exceptional track record of delivering strong business results while nurturing highly engaged teams across diverse markets. His deep understanding of our customers, collaborative leadership style, and ability to unearth opportunities in complex environments make him the ideal leader to drive our commercial agenda for Asia Pacific. I am confident that under his guidance, we will continue to accelerate sustainable growth across the region,” said Ken Lee, CEO for Asia Pacific, DHL Express.
In his new regional role, Herbert will shape and accelerate the commercial strategy for DHL Express across Asia Pacific by working with other functions to assess new sectors, routes and trade lanes with high potential for growth. He will focus on deepening customer engagement and supporting their expansion, while driving sustainable volume growth and advancing the adoption of new technologies to enhance commercial execution across markets. With his extensive country expertise and people‑first leadership style, Herbert is well‑positioned to support both regional and country teams in raising commercial performance to new levels.
“Asia Pacific remains an important anchor in global trade as seen in the latest DHL Global Connectedness Report, and this indicates the unwavering role of logistics to facilitate the flow of goods. With the newly introduced Heavyweight Express solution, which enables customers to ship heavyweight shipments with speed, certainty and reliability, I look forward to working alongside our talented teams to contribute to shaping the next chapter of DHL Express’s commercial success,” said Herbert Vongpusanachai, Senior Vice President – Commercial for Asia Pacific, DHL Express.
The latest DHL Global Connectedness Report shows that the region remains a major anchor of global commerce, with multiple economies rising in global connectedness rankings and Southeast Asia firmly establishing itself as a fast‑growing trade corridor. This also mirrors one of DHL Group’s strategies to better support 20 markets globally to accelerate growth; eight of them rest in Asia Pacific – underscoring the region’s critical role in DHL’s global network. As trade flows diversify and intra‑Asia integration deepens, this leadership appointment further strengthens DHL Express’s position in Asia Pacific.
Hashtag: #DHL
https://group.dhl.com/en.html
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DHL – The logistics company for the world
DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With approximately 389,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail, DHL is decisively positioned as “The logistics company for the world”.
DHL is part of DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of approximately 82.9 billion euros in 2025. With sustainable business practices and a commitment to society and the environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world. DHL Group aims to achieve net-zero emissions logistics by 2050.
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