IoP and Palace Museum launch youth website and training camp to promote cultural exchange

The Institute of Philanthropy (IoP), in collaboration with the Palace Museum, has launched English and traditional Chinese versions of the Palace Museum’s Youth Website and inaugurated the Palace Museum-Hong Kong “Culture+Technology Training Camp” 2025. The events took place at the Palace Museum in Beijing, aiming to foster cultural exchange and develop arts-tech talent in Hong Kong and the Mainland.

The launch and the opening of the training camp were exclusively sponsored by the IoP and organized by the Palace Museum. Distinguished guests at the ceremony included Lou Wei, Executive Deputy Director of the Palace Museum; Ann Kung, IoP Deputy Chairman and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust; and other notable figures from cultural and educational sectors.

Ann Kung highlighted that the new bilingual versions of the Youth Website are part of a five-year collaboration with the Palace Museum. She expressed hopes that the website would engage young people globally, educating them about Chinese culture in an interactive manner. Kung also encouraged participants of the inaugural “Culture+Technology Training Camp” to explore how digital technology can aid in preserving and promoting cultural heritage.

Lou Wei remarked on the significance of the Palace Museum as a beacon of China’s ancient civilization and its role in connecting generations. He relayed a message from General Secretary Xi Jinping about the potential contributions of the youth to national rejuvenation and modernization through cultural engagement.

The IoP, established with a seed grant from The Hong Kong Jockey Club and its Charities Trust, aims to be a dynamic “think-fund-do” tank for promoting societal betterment in China and beyond. This initiative is aligned with the goals set in the National 14th Five-Year Plan, which includes turning Hong Kong into a hub for international cultural exchange where East meets West.

The Youth Website project involved translating approximately 150,000 characters from simplified to traditional Chinese and English, with content covering guided tours, exhibitions, and more, enhanced by interactive and educational tools like games and videos.

Additionally, the “Culture+Technology Training Camp” has recruited 20 participants from universities across Hong Kong and the Palace Museum. They will engage in a month-long program, starting July 7, which includes lectures, field studies, and workshops in various cities including Hangzhou, Shanghai, and Beijing. The camp aims to deepen understanding of digitalization in cultural preservation and culminates in participants proposing a digital exhibition framework.