Jockey Club supports project to boost financial education for primary school students

Developing financial literacy at an early age can help future generations navigate an increasingly complex financial landscape. To provide financial education for primary school students, The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Charities Trust has created and funded The Hong Kong Jockey Club Financial Education Programme with an approved donation of over HK$119 million.

Over 110 guests, including representatives from the programme’s partners, school principals and teachers, attended The Hong Kong Jockey Club Financial Education Programme launch ceremony.

The programme was officially launched today (20 November). Officiating at the launch ceremony were HKSAR Government Under Secretary for Education Jeff Sze; the Club’s Executive Director of Charities and Community, Dr Gabriel Leung; President and Chair Professor of Curriculum and Instruction at The Education University of Hong Kong, Professor John Lee; Executive Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at The University of Chicago, Professor Lee Ka-yee; Solomon Learning Group Chairman and Co-founder Antony Leung; CoCoon Foundation Co-Founder Theodore Ma, and Hong Kong Family Welfare Society Chief Executive Kitty Chau. Over 110 guests, including representatives from the programme’s partners, school principals and teachers, attended the event.

Jeff Sze, HKSAR Government Under Secretary for Education (centre); Dr Gabriel Leung, the Club’s Executive Director of Charities and Community (3rd left), Professor John Lee, President and Chair Professor of Curriculum and Instruction at The Education University of Hong Kong (3rd right); Professor Lee Ka-yee, Executive Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at The University of Chicago (2nd left); Antony Leung, Chairman and Co-founder of Solomon Learning Group (2nd right); Theodore Ma, Co-Founder of the CoCoon Foundation (1st left) and Kitty Chau, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Family Welfare Society (1st right) officiate at The Hong Kong Jockey Club Financial Education Programme launch ceremony.

At the ceremony, Dr Leung welcomed guests to witness the start and the seed of what will become, in time, part of the routine curriculum in Hong Kong. He expressed his gratitude to all partners for beginning this journey with the Club and highlighted that financial education is essential for everyone, particularly for those with limited resources.

Dr Gabriel Leung, the Club’s Executive Director of Charities and Community, delivers a speech at The Hong Kong Jockey Club Financial Education Programme launch ceremony.

Targeting upper primary pupils, this pioneering programme is built around three key elements designed to create a lasting impact on students, teachers and parents:

1. Empowerment through financial education: An age-appropriate and culturally relevant curriculum for upper primary students, developed with reference to research findings from the University of Chicago Financial Education Initiative and the Hong Kong Financial Competency Framework, which was developed by the Investor and Financial Education Council. This curriculum is designed to equip students with core financial capabilities and encourage financially responsible behaviour.

2. Collaborative and holistic approach: In alliance with the University of Chicago Financial Education Initiative and local partners, the programme adopts a holistic approach to engage students, teachers and parents. It aims to enhance teachers’ skills and empower them to design impactful financial education lessons. Parents will also receive expert advice and practical strategies to model sound financial habits for their children.

3. A unique response to educational needs: The programme is designed to be integrated into the regular school day. It enhances existing financial education by providing young students with practical financial knowledge, skills and understanding. Unique features include inter-and intra-school competitions, parent workshops and public talks.

Co-created by The Education University of Hong Kong, The University of Chicago, the Hong Kong Family Welfare Society, CoCoon Foundation and Solomon Learning Group, the programme is expected to benefit some 17,800 students and train 240 teachers from 70 primary schools. In addition, it aims to engage 1,500 parents through parent-child workshops and talks. For more information on The Hong Kong Jockey Club Financial Education Programme, please visit www.hkjcfep.com.

The officiating guests and representatives from the programme’s partners attended The Hong Kong Jockey Club Financial Education Programme launch ceremony.

The Club’s support for The Hong Kong Jockey Club Financial Education Programme, like all its charity and community donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and wagering generate tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for the community.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club) today (18 July) signed a Deepened Collaboration Agreement (the Agreement) with the Guangzhou Municipal People’s Government. Leveraging the world-class, equine-themed culture-sports-tourism activities to be staged at Conghua Racecourse as a starting point, the two parties will further develop the Guangzhou-Hong Kong Equine Industry In-depth Cooperation Zone (the Zone), as highlighted in Guangzhou’s Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan. The two parties will also promote the formation of a high-quality Guangzhou-Hong Kong Equine Industry Economic Cluster (the Cluster), thereby contributing further to the development of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

Sun Zhiyang, Mayor of the Guangzhou Municipal People's Government (4th left); Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of the Club (4th right); Pan Zhijun, Secretary General of the Guangzhou Municipal People's Government (3rd left); Clement Woo, Under Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs of the HKSAR Government (3rd right); Zhu Xiaoyi, Deputy Secretary General of the Guangzhou Municipal People's Government (2nd left); Raymond Tam, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs of the Club (2nd right); Wu Sa, Director of the Guangzhou Development and Reform Commission (Guangzhou Greater Bay Area Office) (1st left); and So Tsz Yin, Acting Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong of the HKSAR Government (1st right), attend the signing ceremony.

In the presence of Sun Zhiyang, Mayor of the Guangzhou Municipal People's Government; Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of the Club; Zhu Xiaoyi, Deputy Secretary General of the Guangzhou Municipal People's Government; and Clement Woo, Under Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs of the HKSAR Government, the Agreement was signed by Pan Zhijun, Secretary General of the Guangzhou Municipal People's Government; and Raymond Tam, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs of the Club.

In the presence of Sun Zhiyang, Mayor of the Guangzhou Municipal People's Government (back row, 2nd left); Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of the Club (back row, 2nd right); Zhu Xiaoyi, Deputy Secretary General of the Guangzhou Municipal People's Government (back row, 1st left); and Clement Woo, Under Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs of the HKSAR Government (back row, 1st right), the Deepened Collaboration Agreement to further advance equine industry development was signed by Pan Zhijun, Secretary General of the Guangzhou Municipal People's Government (front row, left); and Raymond Tam, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs of the Club (front row, right).

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of the Club, noted that the Club, as a world-class horse sports organisation, is committing to leveraging Hong Kong’s internationally recognised expertise and experience in horse racing and equine sports to support the development of the GBA as a leading global hub for equine sports and the equine industry. Over the years, the Club has been cooperating closely with the Guangzhou Municipal People’s Government and achieved significant progress in the establishment of Conghua Racecourse and promoting the development of the GBA’s equine value chain. Through deeper collaboration with the Guangzhou Municipal People’s Government, synergised by the launch of a regular world-class racing programme and equine-themed culture-sports-tourism activities at the Conghua Racecourse, the Club hopes to further promote the development of equine sports and the equine industry in the GBA. This will foster the integrated development of culture, sports and tourism and stimulate the sports event economy, as well as promote institutional innovation and connectivity across the GBA, thereby elevating the region’s international competitiveness and influence.

The Outline of Guangzhou’s 15th Five-Year Plan proposes advancing in-depth cooperation between Guangzhou and Hong Kong in the equine industry, introducing regular international-standard horse racing events, and planning the development of a Guangzhou-Hong Kong Equine Industry In-Depth Cooperation Zone. The Club has also recently submitted recommendations for Hong Kong’s first Five-Year Plan, which include fully leveraging Conghua Racecourse as a strategic platform for deeper Guangzhou-Hong Kong cooperation, introducing world-class racing and equine events across the GBA and positioning the GBA as a global equine industry hub.

Starting from this year, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Conghua Racecourse will commence its programme of regular world-class horse racing.

By fully leveraging Hong Kong and Guangzhou’s roles as the core engines of GBA development, and the Club’s international standing, professional expertise and management experience in equine sports, this collaboration will continue to optimise the equine-themed culture-sports-tourism business model and develop Conghua Racecourse into a World-class Horse Sports and Equine Industry Demonstration Base cum Horse-themed Culture-Sports-Tourism Integrated Destination. In alignment with Guangzhou’s Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan, the aim is to substantially establish the Zone by 2030, supporting the Cluster as an industry with strong economic vitality and international influence in the GBA.

To achieve the above targets, the Guangzhou Municipal People’s Government and the Club will together put forward the below collaboration areas according to the Agreement:

*1. Planning and Development of the Guangzhou-Hong Kong Equine Industry In-depth Cooperation Zone*

• The Guangzhou Municipal People’s Government will formulate a development plan for the Zone and accelerate the enhancement of supporting facilities in the vicinity of Conghua Racecourse. Leveraging the racecourse as an industry anchor, a diverse range of equine-themed cultural, leisure and tourism experiences will be developed.

• Construction and operation of the Guangzhou Conghua International Racing Development Centre, as well as management and maintenance of the Equine Disease-Free Zone in Conghua, will continue to be advanced. Cooperation with customs and agricultural authorities in Guangzhou and Hong Kong will be strengthened to facilitate more efficient cross-boundary movement.

• International exchanges will be strengthened to support the participation of horses from overseas and the Chinese Mainland in equine-themed culture-sports-tourism activities. In compliance with relevant laws, and while safeguarding biosecurity and the equine disease-free status of Conghua, the importation, trading and breeding of high-quality horses will be advanced in a steady and orderly manner.

• Building on the successful implementation of the “Five Connections” initiatives for the 15th National Games, Conghua Racecourse will leverage its strengths to promote cross-boundary veterinary practice in the Chinese Mainland, the importation of veterinary drugs into the Chinese Mainland, equipment flow, anti-doping testing, and professional exchange and public education. Conghua Racecourse will also be developed into an important platform supporting the development of a “Sports Bay Area”.

*2. Building a World-class Equine Sports and Industry Demonstration Base cum Horse-themed Culture-Sports-Tourism Integrated Destination*

• Ensure the successful organisation of equine-themed culture-sports-tourism activities at Conghua Racecourse. Leveraging the Club’s strengths in operating across “Two Cities, Three Racecourses”, equine-themed tourism products will be developed. These will include equine-themed experience tours in partnership with travel agencies, multi-destination travel packages, and unique equine tourism experiences through local tourism exhibitions and official media platforms.

• Both parties will jointly promote equine-themed culture-sports-tourism activities to the public in the GBA, and encourage collaborations with journalism schools and sports media institutions to enhance the understanding of horse racing among sports media professionals. Promotion of horse culture will also be strengthened at both national and international levels, through the organization of equine culture exhibitions and documentary productions.

*3. Promoting the high-quality development of the Guangzhou-Hong Kong Equine Industry Economic Cluster*

• Leveraging the planning and development of the Zone as an opportunity, a new development framework for the GBA’s equine industry will be formulated. This will include focusing on Conghua Racecourse as one of the core venues to launch a diverse range of horse-themed competitions and activities.

• The equine industry will be integrated with cultural tourism and the convention and exhibition sectors, while extending upstream and downstream value chains through an array of equine sports-themed products.

• Drawing on the Club’s philanthropic experience and resources, both parties will work together to enhance public well-being and contribute to the betterment of society.

*4. Strengthening talent development for equine sports and industries*

• The Guangzhou Municipal People’s Government will support the Club’s initiatives under the “school-enterprise cooperation” model by promoting and facilitating training programmes that meet the talent needs of the equine industry and Conghua Racecourse. Initiatives include the implementation of modern apprentice models and order-based classes grouped around horse racing, and more.

• Both parties will promote the mutual recognition of qualifications for equine sports and industry professionals between Guangzhou and Hong Kong. For example, the Hong Kong Certificate Racing Programmes have recently been integrated into the Guangdong Lifelong Education Qualification Framework.

The Guangzhou Municipal People’s Government and the Club will establish a regular cooperation and communication mechanism to coordinate various tasks for the development of Guangzhou-Hong Kong equine industry collaboration. Other Chinese Mainland officials attending today’s signing ceremony also included: Wu Sa, Director of the Guangzhou Development and Reform Commission (Guangzhou Greater Bay Area Office); Tan Aiying, Director-General of Guangzhou Municipal Sports Bureau; Liu Zhijie, District Mayor, Conghua District Government; Deng Changxiong, Deputy-Director of Foreign Affairs Office (Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office) of Guangzhou Municipal People’s Government; Wu Qingsong, Deputy Director-General of Guangzhou Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau; and others.

In 2021, the Club signed a Framework Cooperation Agreement with the Guangzhou Municipal Government to jointly promote Guangzhou-Hong Kong equine industry collaboration, with the Club’s Conghua Racecourse serving as a key driver of the initiative. In addition, the Club actively supports the HKSAR Government’s racing tourism policy, leveraging the racing and entertainment experiences offered by its two Hong Kong racecourses to support development of the city’s events and tourism economy.