A Global Stage for Young Minds The KEY Korea Europe & You Inaugural Debate Comes to Hong Kong on 11 April 2026

In about one month’s time on Saturday, 11 April 2026, Pauline Yeung, Audrey Chow, and Hau In Tang – three former Champions and Best Debaters of the Sing Tao Interschool Debating Competition for secondary students – will be launching the Korea Europe & You (KEY) Inaugural Debate at the Hopewell Hotel, a new landmark in the bustling Wan Chai district in the heart of Hong Kong.

Bright young minds from the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) will come together for a debate on the topic: “This House Believes that Digital Strategies are the Most Important Enabler of Hong Kong’s Cultural Innovation.”

Organized by French non-profit KEY and presented by consulting firm KnitKnot Global (KKG), the debate invites students to develop arguments on Hong Kong’s cultural landscape by drawing on examples and case studies from South Korea and Europe, connecting global insights with local cultural, economic and policy contexts.

Anchored in KEY’s mission to bridge continents and generations, the event positions Hong Kong as a vital cultural and intellectual nexus between Asia and Europe, while offering the winning team a study tour to Seoul — a tangible extension of a commitment to international exchange and future-oriented leadership.

A Team Rooted in Debating Excellence

Vision and leadership are central to the success of the KEY Debate, where the organizers, judges, guests-of-honour, and floor question panel comprise individuals from Hong Kong, South Korea, as well as Belgium, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

Leading the organizing team is Pauline Yeung, a Board Member of KEY, Convenor of the Hong Kong Chapter, and an adjunct associate professor at HKU who was part of the adjudication panel that awarded the champion titles in the Sing Tao competition to Audrey Chow and Hau In Tang, just before they went on to read law at Cambridge and CUHK respectively. Meanwhile, the two distinguished Guests of Honour include Christine Ip, Vice Chairman of Greater China at United Overseas Bank, and JaeHoon Yoo, former Director-General at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, who will be flying in from South Korea for the event.

Adding further gravitas to the proceedings are the judges Laurence Li, Viola Shin, and Iñaki Amate. As a Senior Counsel at Temple Chambers, Li’s distinguished career spans law, public service, and higher education, notably as the former Chairman of the Financial Services Development Council. In addition, Shin is a veteran in the K-pop industry, heading the Hong Kong subsidiary of Korean entertainment giant CJ ENM, while Amate is former Chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong and a seasoned practitioner of Asia-Europe dialogue.

Proud Support from Sponsors and Partners

The successful staging of the KEY Inaugural Debate is underpinned by the generous support of a diverse group of sponsors and partners who have a shared commitment for a more thoughtful and connected global society.

Founded by Korean entrepreneur JH Kwak and his wife Yang Won Sun, the Yang Won Sun Foundation plays a central role in championing cultural understanding through the lens of Korean heritage. Committed to fostering empathy, education, and intercultural appreciation, the Foundation’s sponsorship of the YWS Foundation Prize for Best Analysis of Korean Soft Power reinforces its mission to encourage nuanced, informed discussion of Korea’s cultural diplomacy and global engagement.

Dr Chloe Suen, a long-standing patron of cultural and educational initiatives, lends her support to the debate through the Dr Chloe Suen Prize for Best Analysis of Chinese Culture. As Chair of the Simon Suen Foundation and Founder of Sun Museum, Dr Suen’s involvement reflects a deep commitment to promoting understanding of Chinese civilisation through rigorous analysis, cultural sensitivity, and thoughtful exposition of China’s evolving role within a global context.

Mystic Island Winery, founded by KC and Rita Kung, brings a distinctive dimension to the debate, in line with the idea that wine and gastronomy are powerful mediums for cross-cultural exchange. Known for its emphasis on heritage and craftsmanship in the premium wine district in Penglai, Shandong Province, China, the winery supports the Mystic Island Prize for Best Cross-Cultural Analysis, recognising debaters who demonstrate exceptional ability to bridge cultural perspectives.

The Tan Siu Lin Football Foundation, led by Luen Thai’s Raymond and Jerry Tan, is grounded in the belief that sport is a universal language capable of transcending geographical borders and cultural boundaries. From its collaboration with the AC Milan Academy in Hong Kong to its grassroots football initiatives in Southeast Asia, the Foundation promotes inclusion, teamwork, and youth development, highlighting the role of sports culture as a catalyst for social connection and cohesion.

Premiere Performances Hong Kong, founded by former lawyer Andrea Fessler, is a leading presenter of world-class music and performing arts that reinforces the debate’s commitment to creativity and cultural expression. With a long track record of bringing internationally acclaimed artists to Hong Kong, including superstar musicians such as Yuja Wang, Alice Sara Ott, and Joyce DiDonato, the organisation brings artistic perspectives to the broader conversation on cultural exchange and innovation.

As the event’s media partner, Sing Tao News Corporation plays a vital role in amplifying the reach and impact of the KEY Inaugural Debate. With deep roots in Hong Kong’s media landscape and a strong commitment to public affairs reporting, Sing Tao helps bring the ideas, arguments, and insights emerging from the debate to a wider audience. Its support ensures that the voices of young debaters and thought leaders resonate beyond the lecture theatre, contributing meaningfully to public conversation.

Together, these sponsors and partners articulate a shared vision of Hong Kong as a dynamic nexus for intellectual engagement, cultural exchange, and global dialogue, reinforcing the city’s role as a meeting point for ideas that shape the future.

Shaping Tomorrow Through Dialogue

As 11 April 2026 approaches, anticipation is building across academic, policy, and cultural circles. More than a competition, the KEY Inaugural Debate is a celebration of ideas and a platform for Hong Kong’s emerging voices to engage with questions of culture, innovation and international understanding. By combining global perspectives with local insights, the event affirms the enduring power of debate to bridge divides and nurture future-ready leadership – the very reason the three organizers were inspired to launch this novel and meaningful initiative.

Registration is available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/key-korea-europe-you-inaugural-debate-tickets-1982977867181

For an overview of the KEY Inaugural Debate in Hong Kong, please visit https://knitknotglobal.com/about-the-key-debate

For information on the organizing team, judges, and guests, please visit 
https://knitknotglobal.com/team-judges-and-guests