News & Events

From 18 to 25 June 2026, the PolyU–KazNU Joint Centre for Sustainable Development in Central Asia organised the Global Youth Leadership and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Nairobi Study Tour in Kenya, comprising doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers from the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and Kazakhstan. 

The programme was jointly connected with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, with the Kenya Institute of Social Work and Community Development (KISWCD) serving as the local partner. It aimed to expose participants to real-world applications of the SDGs, foster cross-cultural understanding, and enhance knowledge of sustainable development practices in Kenya.

Through visiting KISWCD, the Wildlife Conservation Facility (Animal Orphanage), Soweto Youth Initiative, Nairobi National Museum, Nairobi National Park, Alzheimer’s Dementia Organisation Kenya (ADOK), Christian Best Camps of Kenya (CBCK), and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Kenya, the participants learned about social work education, youth empowerment, community-based initiatives, child and elderly care, and informal settlement development. They also explored dementia support, faith-based social services, social protection, and national SDG implementation strategies.

The study tour fostered profound cross-cultural learning and deepened academic dialogue among participants from the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan and Kenya. This initiative highlights the CGDN’s commitment to international exchange and paves the way for future collaboration across Belt and Road countries. The tour was led by Prof. Ben KU, Director of the PolyU–KazNU Joint Centre for Sustainable Development in Central Asia and CGDN, and Dr Kan YIP, CGDN’s Assistant Director (Partnership and Development).

Study tour participants during a visit to Soweto Youth Initiative, a registered community-based organisation working in Kahawa Soweto, Nairobi.

Visit to the Directorate of Social Development under the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Kenya.

Visit to the Little Sisters of the Poor, an international Catholic congregation supporting older persons in Nairobi.

Visit to Christian Best Camps of Kenya (CBCK), an organisation working with children, youth, women and families in Kibera and other informal settlements.

Online coverage: 

APSS, PolyU: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/apss/news-and-events/news/2026/polyu-kaznu-joint-centre-launches-global-youth-leadership-and-sdg-study-tour-in-kenya/

Al-Farabi Kazakh National University: https://farabi.university/news/106217?lang=en