According to Edelman, trust is in crisis around the world but Hong Kong in particular has a growing trust gap. In Hong Kong, trust in government, media and business is at an all-time low. Hong Kong actually comes second bottom of the global rankings for trust in business and trust in HK's CEOs is 10% behind the global average.
 
Among these rather depressing headlines, the one bright spot for the NGO sector anyway is that NGOs are apparently the most trusted institutions in Hong Kong. At TWF, we are not so much celebrating this finding as treating it as a sober reminder that while NGOs have an important role and responsibility to work with government, businesses and the media to solve societal challenges and enable action across sectors, NGOs also need to stay true to the spirit of their core missions - which are very often to serve as independent watchdogs, ethical guardians and advocates for marginalised and under-represented groups in the community. At TWF, we are determined to continue to pursue effective cross-sector coalitions to allow for richer problem-solving and more resources to be leveraged to help the under-served while not being afraid to express controversial views and to represent those without a voice.
 
Anyway, here's hoping for a better showing for Hong Kong overall in next year's Edelman survey!
 
On a separate note, since last Friday's launch of our new study on the reasons why Hong Kong girls are not selecting STEM subjects, we have been asked by many different quarters what parents can do to provide greater encouragement to their daughters. Here are two ideas:
 
First, be sure to sign up your daughters for this year's Science Alive programme from March 4-17, jointly organised by the British Council, the Hong Kong Science Museum, the Education Bureau and Hong Kong Education City Limited, and sponsored by the Croucher Foundation. Every year for the past 24 years, Science Alive has invited leading UK academics and communicators in various fields of science to engage Hong Kong’s students, teachers and the public in talks, workshops and other activities that promote a wider understanding of science.
 
Secondly, take your daughters - and sons - to watch Hidden Figures, the new movie that tells the story of the team of African-American women mathematicians who worked at NASA during the early years of the United States space programme and played a vital role in its success. As Mrs Porter, Head of Primary at Chinese International School said when recommending the film to CIS parents in last week's primary newsletter: "The story is inspiring both to budding mathematicians and as a reminder that, no matter what your circumstances, dreaming big is a gift and perseverance and grit can make a difference in reaching goals. As well, the movie reminds all of us about the ugliness of discrimination and the importance of valuing all people."