Institute of Ageing

Chinese (Traditional) Chinese (Simplified)

Date: 4–5 October 2023 (Wednesday–Thursday)
Venue: Lau Chor Tak Lecture Theatre (LT1) & CMA Lecture Theatre (LT2), Yasumoto International Academic Park G/F, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Format: Hybrid (in-person at CUHK and live-streaming)
Language: English

Conference Website: https://www.gcsd2023.sdsn-hk.org/

Registration: Free admission https://www.gcsd2023.sdsn-hk.org/registration

The Global Conference on Sustainable Development is the first international conference organized by the Hong Kong Chapter of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

It aims to enable exchanges among academia, philanthropy, civil society institutions, the government and the private sector on the challenges and opportunities, as well as the way forward, in achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals adopted.

The Conference features a series of sustainability issues that closely connected to our daily lives:

Breakout Session 2
Building an age-friendly city in Hong Kong

Synopsis:
The Sustainable Development Goals are intertwined and have differential impacts on the health of people. The session will discuss the impact of climate change to older people in Hong Kong, how physical and social environment affects their unequal healthy aging and why such environment is important to building an age-friendly city in Hong Kong.

Speakers:
Professor Helene Fung
Professor, Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Deputy Director, CUHK Jockey Club Institute of Ageing
Presentation title: How older people in Hong Kong can cope with hot temperature

Dr Eric Lai
Research Assistant Professor, CUHK Institute of Heath Equity
Presentation title: Environment and equity in healthy aging

Panelist:
Professor Jean Woo
Director, CUHK Jockey Club Institute of Ageing; Co‐Director, CUHK Institute of Health Equity

By Faye Chan, Connie Tong and Jean Woo

We refer to “‘I’m crying but I’m happy,’ says terminal cancer patient who views her final days as like a bittersweet film ending – filled with pain but also beautiful moments” (August 12), which highlighted the struggles faced by the cancer patient Keren Goldman. It is disheartening to learn that Goldman, while already burdened by her illness, is feeling as though she has no available options at the end of life.

As a response, we would like to bring attention to some valuable resources that can provide support to patients in their final stages. Launched in 2016, the Jockey Club End-of-Life Community Care Project aims at improving the quality of end-of-life care and raising public awareness in Hong Kong. Being one of its collaborating partners, the CUHK Jockey Club Institute of Ageing hosts a website that provides a comprehensive collection of resources to address the physical, psychosocial, emotional, and existential needs of patients facing the end of life. These resources cover a wide range of topics, such as treatment options, Advance Directive and Enduring Power of Attorney, and conversations in Advance Care Planning.

By accessing these self-help resources, patients affected by life-limiting illnesses can gain a better understanding of their own conditions, explore alternative treatment and care approaches that may enhance their quality of life during difficult times, communicate their wishes and preferences, and plan out the post-death arrangements in advance. Furthermore, these resources comprise real stories from people who are in the same boat as Goldman, which, by creating a sense of being understood and accompanied, can be empowering and therapeutic.

We hope that this letter will not only inform the public about the above resources, but also contribute to building a more compassionate and supportive society for terminal patients and their families. We believe that together we can make a significant difference in the lives of those facing end-of-life challenges.

Ms. Faye Chan, Nursing Officer, Ms. Connie Tong, Project Manager, Prof. Jean Woo, Director, CUHK Jockey Club Institute of Ageing

This letter with revised version was published on South China Morning Post.

group photo panel s