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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
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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.
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Honda LCR Partners with GOD55 Sports for Successful Fan Zone Experience at MotoGP 2026 KL Launch
Standout MotoGP Booth Experience for Fans in Malaysia
MotoGP fans were treated to a unique motorsports experience at the MotoGP Launch in Kuala Lumpur, held from 2 – 7 February, 2026. Organised by Honda LCR and supported by GOD55 Sports, the free-entry Fan Zone attracted over 10,000 motorsports enthusiasts throughout the week. Visitors enjoyed up-close access to official 2026 racing leathers and helmets worn by Johann Zarco and Diogo Moreira, alongside video features showcasing the latest riders’ featured video and the growing partnership between Honda LCR and GOD55 Sports.
Premium Fan Zone Design & Interactive Experience
The MotoGP Fan Zone stood out with its striking red-and-gold design, combining Honda LCR’s iconic red with GOD55 Sports’ signature gold to create a premium and visually captivating showcase. The thoughtfully planned layout encouraged fans to explore every corner of the booth, follow Honda LCR on Instagram, and take part in a wide range of interactive activities.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, the booth distributed limited-edition stickers and angpao packs in celebration of the upcoming Chinese New Year. These thoughtful touches, along with consistently long queues and strong visitor engagement, highlighted the success of Honda LCR’s collaboration with GOD55 Sports. The partnership played a key role in elevating the overall fan experience and reflected a shared commitment to delivering meaningful and memorable interactions.
MotoGP Time Attack Challenge
One of the main attractions was the MotoGP Time Attack Challenge, which quickly became a crowd favourite. Fans eagerly lined up to test their skills by attempting to hit the exact 5.5-second mark, with winners receiving exclusive limited-edition motorsport polo shirts and other special prizes.
Gashapon Machine & Social Engagement
The popular gashapon machine added another layer of excitement to the Fan Zone. Visitors who followed Honda LCR and GOD55 Sports on social media were rewarded with chances to win random limited-edition merchandise, including lanyards, caps, T-shirts, polo shirts, and keychains. This initiative creatively combined entertainment with digital engagement, strengthening the connection between fans and the teams.
The booth also welcomed several key opinion leaders between February 6 and 7, further boosting online visibility and on-site buzz. With its vibrant atmosphere, interactive features, and exclusive offerings, the Fan Zone became a central hub of motorsport excitement, giving visitors an immersive preview of the energy and anticipation surrounding the 2026 MotoGP season.
Rider Meet-and-Greet with Free Autographed Posters
One of the event’s biggest highlights was the exclusive opportunity for fans to meet Honda LCR riders Johann Zarco and Diogo Moreira up close. Despite heavy rain during the pre-scheduled meet-and-greet session, crowds continued to gather at the booth, undeterred by the weather.
The riders and Honda LCR team arrived at approximately 4:15 PM, prompting an overwhelming response of cheers and excitement from fans. Upon arrival, Johann Zarco and Diogo Moreira were first welcomed by the CEO of GOD55 Sports, alongside invited key influencers, before proceeding to a brief VIP meet-and-greet at the booth.
Shortly after, Honda LCR Team Principal Lucio Cecchinello arrived wearing the limited-edition Honda LCR × GOD55 Sports Motorsport Polo Shirt, symbolising the team’s strong support and commitment to its new premier partner. Following the VIP session, Lucio joined the riders in preparing the limited-edition rider posters and autograph cards, which were met with enthusiastic reactions from onlookers.
The Fan Zone emcee then officially announced the start of the autograph session, as Johann Zarco and Diogo Moreira signed posters using gold and silver marker pens respectively, sending the crowd into a frenzy of cheers. Fans were rewarded with on-the-spot free autographed posters, creating unforgettable moments and meaningful interactions with their MotoGP heroes.
The lively atmosphere was further enhanced by the presence of several well-known influencers and content creators, who interacted closely with visitors and helped sustain the crowd’s energy throughout the event. By sharing real-time updates and behind-the-scenes moments across social media platforms, they extended the reach of the Fan Zone beyond the venue, allowing online audiences to experience the excitement and support for the Honda LCR MotoGP Team.
A Landmark Event for Malaysia
As Malaysia’s first-ever MotoGP 2026 Launch, the Honda LCR booth generated significant excitement among motorsports fans. Interactive displays, rider meet-ups, and unique activities confirmed the country’s strong appetite for world-class MotoGP experiences.
Looking ahead, the partnership between GOD55 Sports and Honda LCR over the next three years promises more exclusive content, fan-focused initiatives, and regional engagement, bringing Southeast Asian fans closer to the thrilling world of MotoGP.
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GOD55 Sports
GOD55 Sports is a leading digital sports media platform built to connect fans across Southeast Asia with the global world of sports. We deliver the latest news, in-depth analysis, and exclusive coverage — bringing fans closer to the games, stories, and athletes they love.
From football, motorsports, badminton, and tennis to the fast-growing sport of pickleball, GOD55 Sports blends real-time updates with expert insights to create a complete, engaging sports experience.
The Panty That Earned Its Place in Every Drawer
In an industry where trends come and go, a decade of consistent customer trust says something. XIXILI’s seamless panties have built a loyal following through one simple promise: comfort that just works. The design eliminates visible panty lines, sits smoothly under any outfit, and feels light enough to wear all day without a second thought.
“These are the panties our customers reach for every day,” says Grace Tan, Senior Marketing Executive at XIXILI. “Once they find a style that works, they tend to stay with it. We often hear from women who have been buying the same design for years.”
The seamless construction removes irritating seams and edges, while the boyleg cut offers fuller coverage that stays comfortably in place. It is the kind of understated comfort that fits quietly into daily life.
Designed for Every Body, Loved by Everyone
Among XIXILI’s top favourite panties are the Full Coverage Mid Rise Knitted Boyleg Panty and Full Coverage High-Waist Knitted Boyleg Panty, two basic styles that have become wardrobe staples.
The Mid Rise option offers moderate coverage with a relaxed fit, ideal for all-day comfort. The High Waist option sits higher on the waist with gentle tummy smoothing, a go-to for wearing under fitted dresses and trousers.
The Lightweight Seamless Microfiber Panty is the star of the range, a bestseller for ten consecutive years. It sits flat against the body for an invisible, second-skin finish under even the tightest clothing. Now available in fresh new colours, this enduring staple continues to deliver the reliability women have come to trust.
Comfort That Starts from Within
Good underwear is the foundation of every outfit. It’s the little detail that helps women move through their day with ease, whether heading to work, running errands, or enjoying time with loved ones.
With the Chinese New Year around the corner, refreshing the essentials feels timely. XIXILI’s latest seamless panties colours offer a simple way to start fresh from the inside out, while staying with a style that has earned its place over the past ten years.
All styles are available online and at XIXILI boutiques nationwide. To explore the whole collection, visit www.xixili-intimates.com.
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About XIXILI
A homegrown Malaysian brand, XIXILI offers beautiful fashion lingerie and shapewear in Malaysia that prioritises fit and comfort. With an extensive range of bra sizes from A to I and bands 65 to 110cm, XIXILI caters to women of all shapes and sizes. Expert fitters are dedicated to helping each customer find the perfect bra, boosting confidence and enhancing silhouettes.
XIXILI became the first Malaysian lingerie brand to introduce a Try-On in 3D avatar tool, allowing customers to virtually try on XIXILI lingerie using a 3D avatar tailored to their specific body type and measurements. Whether for everyday wear or something special, XIXILI ensures women always look and feel amazing.
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Bad Bunny Wears Desert Diamond to Perform at Super Bowl LX On February 8, 2026, In Santa Clara, California
Hashtag: #ADiamondisForever #NaturalDiamonds #diamonds #SuperBowlLX #BadBunny
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About De Beers Group
Established in 1888, De Beers Group is the world’s leading diamond company with expertise in the exploration, mining, marketing and retailing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers Group employs more than 20,000 people across the diamond pipeline and is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with diamond mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. Innovation sits at the heart of De Beers Group’s strategy as it develops a portfolio of offers that span the diamond value chain, including its jewellery houses, De Beers Jewellers and Forevermark, and other pioneering solutions such as diamond sourcing and traceability initiatives Tracr and GemFair. De Beers Group also provides leading services and technology to the diamond industry in the form of education and laboratory services via De Beers Institute of Diamonds and a wide range of diamond sorting, detection and classification technology systems via De Beers Group Ignite. De Beers Group is committed to ‘Building Forever,’ a holistic and integrated approach for creating a better future – where safety, human rights and ethical integrity continue to be paramount; where communities thrive and the environment is protected; and where there are equal opportunities for all. De Beers Group is a member of the Anglo American PLC group. For further information, visit www.debeersgroup.com.
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