Global Philanthropists Circle Network Visit to Hong Kong: Building Bridges for Impact
From 9-12 February 2026, members of the Global Philanthropists Circle (GPC) gathered in Hong Kong for a dynamic network visit that brought together philanthropists, family offices, social innovators, and ecosystem leaders. The four-day program blended curated networking events, project visits, and partner-led dialogues, offering participants an opportunity to explore some of the most pressing regional themes while strengthening relationships across the GPC community and Hong Kong’s philanthropic ecosystem.
The visit opened with a networking cocktail reception generously hosted by the Jebsen Family, welcoming the Synergos delegation and introducing the work of the organization to a select group of influential changemakers from across the city.
Participants were also invited to experience the intersection of culture and philanthropy during a private visit to the Lo Kwee Seong Arts Pavilion at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, hosted by philanthropist Joy Lo Cheung. The pavilion—opened in March 2025—houses an extraordinary porcelain collection inspired by Joy’s grandfather’s passion. Set dramatically on the university’s mountainous terrain, the cantilevered building provided not only an architectural highlight but also a thoughtful setting to explore the role of private philanthropy in making art accessible to the public.
A particularly moving moment of the visit came during an exposure visit focused on statelessness, hosted by the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation at the iconic Chungking Mansions. Facilitated by the Centre for Refugees, the delegation engaged directly with refugees from around the world who have built new lives in Hong Kong. The conversations illuminated the lived realities of immigration and refugee policy in the city and sparked reflections on the courage required to support complex and often underfunded social issues.
The visit also celebrated new philanthropic leadership within the GPC network. Members gathered for the launch of the Atrium Legacy Foundation, founded by Chun Dong, Leon Dong, and Cherry Chen, which focuses on education and the future of children. The intimate gathering brought together donors, thought leaders, and education stakeholders to explore how strategic philanthropic capital can unlock new opportunities for the next generation.
Another historic highlight of the visit was the Compassion Award Ceremony, where Synergos Founder and Chair Peggy Dulany became the first international and non-Chinese leader to receive the award in its twentieth edition. Founded in 2006 by philanthropist Mr. Lin, the award honors individuals whose leadership advances compassion and public good. Peggy joins a distinguished group of global laureates including Charles Chen Yidan, Cao Dewang, and spiritual leaders Master Hsing Yun and Shih Cheng Yen.
The program also featured several thought-provoking dialogues on philanthropy and collaborative capital. At a fireside chat hosted by the Hong Kong Academy for Wealth Legacy, Amy Lo of UBS and Peggy Dulany explored how values, capital, and collaboration across generations can shape enduring philanthropic legacies. Participants reflected on the idea that legacy is not static, but rather a design discipline—one that must evolve through intention, measurement, and continued bridge-building.
This theme of collaboration continued during a dialogue co-organized with the Sustainable Finance Initiative and the Yidan Prize Foundation, titled “Building Trust, Building Futures: Designing Collaborative Architectures for Impact.” The conversation highlighted the growing role of family offices as patient capital for social change, the importance of trust and humility in partnership building, and the role of inner work.
The visit concluded with a seminar hosted by the Hong Kong Foundation Exchange, where Peggy Dulany led a session titled “The Hardest Part of Philanthropy: What Funders Must Unlearn.” Together, the visit reflected the spirit of GPC community.
