On Saturday, as part of our UK Youth Initiative Programme, Hong Kong Watch hosted a workshop on building a movement through relationships, organisations, and collaboration.

Our co-founder and Chair of Trustees Benedict Rogers kicked off the session by sharing his journey from being a journalist to entering the advocacy space, and human rights campaigns he has pushed forward across different global regions. He highlighted the importance of building cross-party relationships in Parliament, and fostering connections with diaspora groups and local communities.

We were also joined by a representative from Hong Kong Notts CIC who shared their insight into how community groups could support political movements and strengthen a diaspora. They also shared their experience of facilitating collaborations between the Hong Kong diaspora, local community, MPs and advocacy groups.

The workshop concluded with a presentation on working in Parliament, public policy and research by a member of the Hong Kong community. They shared their experience of entering the UK policy space as a university graduate and advocate for Hong Kong, and the different avenues to start an advocacy and civic career.

This workshop is part of a series of training in advocacy, public policy, and civic engagement in our UK Youth Initiative Programme. We are grateful for the contributions of our speakers and we look forward to continuing our efforts to build the knowledge and skills of our youth participants, and supporting their future advocacy and civic pursuits.