AspirE meets the Ambassador of the EU in Hong Kong

The AspirE team had the honour of meeting with Mr. Harvey Rouse (Ambassador of the European Union to Hong Kong) along with distinguished experts from the Education University of Hong Kong: Professor Chetwyn Che-hin Chan (Vice-president - Research and Development), Professor Wai-keung Li (Dean of the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences), and Dr. Fox Zhiyong Hu (Acting Head of the Department of Social Sciences and Political Studies) in a significant dialogue that underscored the vital collaboration between the European Union and Hong Kong. This meeting marks a crucial step forward in fostering mutual understanding and cooperation in addressing migration challenges and opportunities. 

During the opening ceremony of the workshop titled "The challenges and future of transnational mobility/Transnational what, why and how?", the Ambassador emphasised the European Union's commitment to working closely with Hong Kong to enhance cooperation on migration issues. This partnership is particularly timely, given the ongoing developments and initiatives under Horizon Europe, the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation which supports the AspirE project. Horizon Europe presents a unique opportunity for joint projects that can facilitate knowledge exchange, foster innovation, and address the pressing challenges of migration.

As we navigate the complexities of migration from Asia to Europe, it is essential to recognise the shared responsibilities and potential benefits that arise from collaborative efforts. This event reminded the importance of integrating diverse perspectives and expertise to create effective policies.

Many thanks to Isabella NG Fung-Sheung, Tommy Kwan, and Xiaomin (Gloria) Chen for making this meeting possible and to Johnny Wong and Yanmi Lam for the photos.