What happens when a group of young people from different countries and cultural backgrounds walks into the same community? When people whose languages, customs, and life experiences are completely different put their labor and care into one place, what difference does it make? Does youth development only happen in the classroom, or can it quietly take root in the fields, on the streets, and in conversations on a school campus? The Hong Kong Winter International Workcamp, held in December 2024, was a deep and hands-on effort to bring the world into the community and carry young people out into the world.
An Immersion Experience That Helps the World and the Community See Each Other
Held in December 2024, the Hong Kong Winter International Workcamp ran for six days and five nights under the theme “Education, Environment, and Culture.” It brought together participants from Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Russia, Laos, the Philippines, Macau, Vietnam, and Portugal. With cross-cultural exchange at its core, the program used a variety of activities to guide young people into Hong Kong’s communities, help them understand local needs, and practice empathy and cooperation in real situations.
The whole program was closely aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Quality Education (SDG 4), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), and Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10). Beyond offering cultural experiences, it used service and reflection to help participants rethink their own role in global society.
Rethinking Service Among the Temple Bells
Volunteering at Po Lam Chan Monastery was a key part of the workcamp. Participants entered the monastery’s natural surroundings to clear weeds and do farm work, getting directly involved in land preparation and environmental upkeep. The goal was not simply to complete physical labor but to help young people understand sustainable development and environmental conservation through hands-on work. Along the way, they had to divide tasks, work across language barriers, and finish the job together, building mutual trust and team spirit.
In addition to the farm work, participants took part in a lamp-lighting and bell-ringing ceremony and learned about the values and history carried by religious culture. This immersive cultural experience prompted them to reconsider the relationship between spiritual belief and community connection. For many of the overseas youth, it was their first time entering a Hong Kong community as service providers rather than as sightseers.
Hei Tong Un from Portugal shared: “I am grateful for the opportunity to join the camp and the hard work of the VolTra team in preparation and organizing. The activities have provided me with new insights about the HK community. The Cultural Facilitators are also helpful and considerate in taking care of us.”
This new understanding of the community is exactly the kind of change the program hoped to bring about.
Appreciating Differences Through Campus Dialogues
The cultural exchange with students from Creative Secondary School, a Hong Kong school, was an important platform for mutual learning. The session was built around interactive discussion, group sharing, and cultural presentations, giving young people from different backgrounds a chance to talk about their education systems, social issues, and personal stories. The aim was to break down preconceptions of “the other” and form real connections.
During the exchange, participants not only introduced their own cultures but also listened to local students’ views on urban development and the situation of young people. Through sincere conversation, both sides gradually came to understand each other’s challenges and opportunities. This approach made the idea of “global citizenship” less abstract and turned it into concrete care and action.
90.8% of participants said they have made friends from different cultures during the program, which significantly strengthened their cross-cultural social capital. When friendship is built on honest dialogue, cultural diversity stops being a slogan and becomes a lasting relationship.
Building Empathy, Equality and Dignity Through a Wheelchair Experience
The wheelchair experience was one of the most eye-opening parts of the workcamp. Participants simulated the daily life of wheelchair users and experienced firsthand the limits and difficulties of getting around the city. The goal was to deepen understanding of the situations people with disabilities face and to reflect on how urban design and social attitudes affect equal opportunity.
Many young people said they were deeply moved. Keophetmany Samountry from Laos shared: “I really admire how you bring people with disabilities into our activities. You inspire us and highlight the beauty of treating everyone equally. For me, it feels like you’re showing us that even though they may face physical challenges, they are still people who deserve to enjoy life’s moments just as much as anyone else.”
This heartfelt response captures the core value of the activity. Through firsthand experience, participants no longer approached disability issues as bystanders but began with bodily sensation to rethink what “equality” means. This kind of deep learning helps build a lasting sense of civic responsibility.
When Marathon Cheerleaders Became Part of the City
At the volunteer event for RunOurCity, participants took to the streets to cheer on runners, joining a large-scale local community event firsthand. The role may have looked simple, but it let the overseas youth feel the energy and solidarity of Hong Kong residents. Through direct participation, they saw how community events bring people together and learned how to support public causes through action.
This shift from bystander to participant was one of the workcamp’s most important outcomes. When young people are willing to step into a community and give of themselves, they form a real connection with the city.
More than a Change in Numbers
The program’s evaluation showed the following:
- 91.7% of participants became more accepting of cultural diversity.
- 91.2% became more curious about the world.
- 87.9% became more willing to care about and contribute to their local communities.
- 87.5% developed a stronger sense of global citizenship.
These figures are more than statistics; they point to a shift in values. When young people face differences and challenges in real situations, they learn to appreciate diversity, respect others, and understand their own role in society.
What This Means for Youth and Community Development
The Hong Kong Winter International Workcamp 2024 demonstrated a youth development model that combines education, service, and cultural exchange. Through carefully designed experiential learning, young people gained more than a short-lived feeling of inspiration; they built a lasting sense of responsibility and the drive to act. The community, in turn, gained new energy and attention through this cross-cultural investment.
When young people from different backgrounds are willing to give to the same piece of land, a city becomes a place where understanding and inclusion can grow. Projects like this remind us that youth development and community development are not a pair of parallel lines that don’t intersect, but they can reinforce each other and move forward together.
Looking ahead, the more opportunities young people have to apply what they’ve learned in real communities, the more empathetic and globally minded individuals we can nurture. Investing in young people not only supports their personal growth but also contributes to the future well-being of the wider community.
The Glocal Leader Academy is funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and organized by VolTra. Its aim is to train the next generation of changemakers through training programs, interactive tasks, workshops, local and overseas volunteer service, and other projects. Based on VolTra’s “3E’s and 2A’s” belief (Exploration, Empathy, Empowerment of Change; Local Awareness and Global Awareness), the program encourages young people to explore the world and build a better society through community action.
For past projects in the Glocal Leader Academy, please visit https://bit.ly/cpg-glocal-leader-academy.
Make a Real Impact with VolTra!
If you care about youth development, community restoration, and sustainability, we’d love you to explore VolTra’s local projects in Hong Kong. Through partnerships and hands-on practice, we want more young changemakers to learn in real-life contexts, and more communities to be seen, connected, and supported.
Want to know more about our local projects? Follow the link below to find out more!