THE ZUBIN FOUNDATION Improving the lives of Hong Kong’s ethnic minorities by reducing suffering and providing opportunities
NEWS/ HONG KONG/ CITY
Press Release – Immediate
Hong Kong’s Future Has a New Face: Inspire Change through Leadership First Youth Leadership Summit for Ethnic Minority Students and Young Professionals Hong Kong, 14 June 2025 – The Zubin Foundation today proudly hosted our inaugural Youth Leadership Summit for Ethnic Minorities, marking a significant turning point for the community in Hong Kong. Over 150 young people participated, from schools and universities across the city and various professions, from different ethnic backgrounds, with different dreams, but united by a shared goal – to be leaders shaping the future of Hong Kong.
Why a Youth Leadership Summit, Why Now? Hong Kong’s ethnically diverse population is young, growing, and educated. Yet, many still face barriers to opportunity, representation, and belonging. In the past five years, The Zubin Foundation has awarded over 190 university scholarships. This summit is the next step, bringing together the brightest minds to discuss identity, opportunity, and support to lead the change. Shalini Mahtani, MH, MBE, Founder and CEO of The Zubin Foundation, shared, “We are witnessing a remarkable transformation in Hong Kong’s ethnic minority youth. More young people are entering university, pursuing careers not commonly seen before, and getting ready to step into leadership roles. But we also know that many still face systemic barriers – whether it’s in employment, representation, or simply being seen and heard. This summit is our response. It’s a space for these young people to connect and to be inspired. We are here to support them every step of the way.” We are honoured to have Alice Mak, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, HKSAR attend the event as the guest of honour and give the opening remarks.
A Youth-Led Vision The summit was designed with support from The Zubin Foundation’s Youth Committee, comprising eight university students and young professionals of different ethnic backgrounds. They helped shape the agenda and topics. “Being part of this summit has been deeply personal for me. Every move – from India to Thailand, to Mainland China, and now Hong Kong – has taught me how to adapt to another culture and how to stay open to opportunities. For ethnic minority youth, these experiences are often filled with challenges, but they also build the kind of leadership that’s grounded in empathy and courage. When The Zubin Foundation team and the Youth Committee came together to curate the summit’s topics, we knew that this event had to be more than just career advice – it had to be about identity, belonging, and shaping the future” Saleema Aafiya Muhammad Ibrahim, Youth Committee Member and a Paralegal commented.
Inspiring Leadership: Identity, Future Proofing and Building Support With the theme “Inspiring Leadership,” the Summit focused on three key areas: (1) Identity, (2) Future Proofing, and (3) Building Support. Each area was designed to equip the youth with the tools for personal and professional growth.
© 2025 The Zubin Mahtani Gidumal Foundation Limited (registered charity in Hong Kong - IR 91/12344). All rights reserved.
1