GINerating Change
What is GIN?
In 2002, during his time as Vice President of the World Bank, Jean Francois Rischard wrote the book High Noon: 20 Global Problems, 20 Years to Solve Them. In this book Rischard identifies twenty global issues and encourages the formation of small groups around the world to help find solutions. In essence, it asks us to act locally while thinking globally, to start by making small changes in our communities and then spreading these ideas further. His vision led to the creation of the Global Issues Network - GIN.
GIN is composed of passionate students who work together to tackle global issues in their communities. There are now hundreds of schools around the world with GIN clubs which empower students to generate ideas and find solutions. In Asia, the East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS) sponsors GIN Clubs and the regional GIN Conferences. There has also been a rise in local conferences, such as GIN852, in cities around the region.
What is GIN852
In 2012, Chinese International School held the first Hong Kong local GIN conference called GIN852. 852 is Hong Kong’s international dialling code and represents the concept of applying the idea of GIN into solving local issues rooted in Hong Kong. Since then Canadian International School and International Christian School have taken turns to host the GIN852 Conference. This year, its American International School’s turn!
Hong Kong, an extremely populated and urbanized city, is constantly facing many unique social and environmental challenges. Though many GIN clubs exist in different schools in Hong Kong, schools rarely have the opportunity to join and collaborate with each other. GIN852 strives to change this! The younger generation in Hong Kong has an enormous power to solve these different issues and by coming together the hope is that they will be able to put their passions into action.
This year’s theme is GINerating Change. We want to encourage the youth of Hong Kong to use the knowledge gained in GIN clubs and by attending the GIN852 Conference to create change in their community. By focusing on local issues, solutions to global issues will be GINerated!
