Good intergenerationality, a key element of social inclusion, is one of the goals The D. H. Chen Foundation aims to achieve. It echoes with the ethos guiding our founder Dr. Din Hwa CHEN throughout his life, “Care for others as well as you would care for yourself” – an inspiration to the Foundation to cultivate a compassionate society through our philanthropic strategies.
The Foundation strives to develop positive values among the younger generation, as well as make the aging society to be “age-friendly”, we therefore work hand in hand with InspiringHK Sports Foundation (“IHKSports”), a non-profit founded in 2012 which has a strong belief in the power of sports in children and youth empowerment, to initiate Hong Kong’s first ever program focusing on the development of intergenerational Chinese values through martial arts co-learning experience (《老兒嚟堅》中華武德傳承計劃) (“the Program”).
Martial arts are integral to traditional Chinese culture and values which are crucial to the exchanges between young and old. The 3-year Program offers the elderly and young generations the opportunities to learn traditional martial arts together as a fun and healthy way to promote better intergenerational communications and understanding. Not only does the training teaches martial arts like Wing Chun, Shaolin, Wudang and Choy Lee Fut Kung Fu, there will also be enrichment activities like film appreciation and voluntary services focusing on traditional Chinese virtues related to martial arts training. With the trained ambassadors arranging learning and sharing sessions, these bimonthly activities provide interactive opportunities enhancing understanding between participants of different generations, at the same time developing the positive spirit and attitude that martial arts encompass.
Apart from strengthening the exchanges between generations through co-learning martial arts, the Foundation and IHKSports believe that the Program would also help participants develop a habit of regular exercise to promote healthy lifestyle, and to an even broader sense, to preserve the cultural heritage of martial arts.