GE2024-12
In today's globalised world, news flows instantly across the Internet, social media, and other online platforms. While a simple tap on your smartphone can show you news from thousands of miles away, these quick glimpses often don't tell the whole story. That's why Global News Chat creates a space for students from diverse backgrounds to share their personal views and dive deeper into important international and regional issues.
Want to hear different perspectives on current events and discover how they connect to your life? Or respond to the things that concern you most? Don't miss this opportunity! Join us at Global News Chat—no prior knowledge needed. Come learn alongside your fellow HKU peers.
Previous discussion topics include the mass migration from Myanmar, the UK election, and social and political issues in India, etc.
國際社會每天都有不同大小的發展與變化，透過智能手機，彈指之間，便能盡覽如繁星般眾多的社交媒体和平台去「了解」世界，但我們真的看到故事的全部嗎？這便促成了我們舉辦Global News Chat，邀請各地同學，分享他所關注的時事，由此，我們不僅能思考個人與社會的關係，更能與朋輩相互砥礪，從而認識自我、了解世界。
每個學期，Global News Chat都會邀請來自不同地方的同學分享他們關注的時事議題，範圍涵蓋緬甸人流亡、英國大選，以至印度社會和政治問題等不同議題。
#Session 1 - The Phenomenon of Declining Bilingualism in Singapore (Date:19/2/2025)
Student Host: Zhuang Dinghua, Holiday (BBA, Exchange)
Behind Singapore's much-prided bilingualism, a concerning phenomenon has been brewing: younger Singaporeans are struggling with their mother tongues due to the increased prominence of English. Singaporeans' mother tongues have taken a back seat since the Lion City aimed for a more global outlook.
Today, effective bilingualism seems to be a mark of an outstanding student rather than a common trait among locals. The drawbacks of this approach, coupled with a declining interest in ethnic culture, have surfaced in recent years, becoming a vexing issue for the government and the education system.
In this session, Holiday will lead a discussion on Singapore's linguistic predicament, comparing it with other regional language policies to explore what language means for society.
雙語教育一直是新加坡引以為傲的特色。然而，在全球化浪潮下，英語作為全球通用語言的地位與日俱增，新加坡年輕一代普遍較注重英語而輕視母語。當新加坡人不遺餘力地提升英語水平之際，獅城的母語教育卻逐漸被邊緣化，令精通雙語的優勢面臨挑戰。
在這次Global News Chat，來自新加坡的Holiday將帶領大家探討新加坡的語言困境，透過比較不同國家的語言政策，一同思考語言對社會的意義和影響。期待你的參與和分享!
Date: 19/02/2025 (Wed)
Time: 16:30 – 18:00
Venue: GE Gatherland 221 (MB221, 2/F, Main Building)
Language: English
Quota: 15 per session
Registration(Session 1): https://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_hdetail.aspx?ueid=98352
#Session 2 - Martial Law, Impeachment, and Division: The Current State of South Korean Society (Date:03/03/2025)
Student Hosts: Kum Sodam (BSocSc, Exchange)
In December 2024, President Yoon Suk-Yeol declared martial law—the first such declaration in 45 years. Within hours, the National Assembly passed a resolution demanding its withdrawal, which the president accepted, leading to its immediate termination. The Assembly then passed an impeachment motion, suspending President Yoon from office. He and several associated officials were subsequently arrested and are now under investigation for rebellion and related charges.
Public opinion initially showed overwhelming support for the impeachment. However, recent allegations of election fraud have sparked growing pro-Yoon rallies, deepening South Korea's societal divide. The riot at the Western District Prosecutors' Office in Seoul illustrates how these ideological conflicts have turned violent.
Why has South Korean society become so polarized? In this session, Sodam will lead a discussion exploring the root causes of South Korea's social polarization and examining the country's social and political characteristics.
去年12月，南韓總統尹錫悅宣布戒嚴令，國會迅速通過決議要求撤回，並隨後通過彈劾動議，暫停其總統職務。尹錫悅和相關官員其後因叛亂指控被捕。南韓民眾最初普遍支持彈劾，但隨著選舉舞弊指控出現，支持尹錫悅的示威活動逐漸增多，導致社會分歧日益加深。
南韓社會為何變得如此兩極化？在本次討論中，來自南韓的Sodam將帶領大家探討這種社會兩極化的根本原因，並從多個角度深入了解南韓的社會和文化特徵。
Date: 03/03/2025 (Mon)
Time: 16:30 – 18:00
Venue: GE Gatherland 240 (MB240, 2/F, Main Building)
Language: English
Quota: 15 per session
Registration (Session 2): https://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_hdetail.aspx?ueid=98912
Want to hear different perspectives on current events and discover how they connect to your life? Or respond to the things that concern you most? Don't miss this opportunity! Join us at Global News Chat—no prior knowledge needed. Come learn alongside your fellow HKU peers.
Previous discussion topics include the mass migration from Myanmar, the UK election, and social and political issues in India, etc.
國際社會每天都有不同大小的發展與變化，透過智能手機，彈指之間，便能盡覽如繁星般眾多的社交媒体和平台去「了解」世界，但我們真的看到故事的全部嗎？這便促成了我們舉辦Global News Chat，邀請各地同學，分享他所關注的時事，由此，我們不僅能思考個人與社會的關係，更能與朋輩相互砥礪，從而認識自我、了解世界。
每個學期，Global News Chat都會邀請來自不同地方的同學分享他們關注的時事議題，範圍涵蓋緬甸人流亡、英國大選，以至印度社會和政治問題等不同議題。
#Session 1 - The Phenomenon of Declining Bilingualism in Singapore (Date:19/2/2025)
Student Host: Zhuang Dinghua, Holiday (BBA, Exchange)
Behind Singapore's much-prided bilingualism, a concerning phenomenon has been brewing: younger Singaporeans are struggling with their mother tongues due to the increased prominence of English. Singaporeans' mother tongues have taken a back seat since the Lion City aimed for a more global outlook.
Today, effective bilingualism seems to be a mark of an outstanding student rather than a common trait among locals. The drawbacks of this approach, coupled with a declining interest in ethnic culture, have surfaced in recent years, becoming a vexing issue for the government and the education system.
In this session, Holiday will lead a discussion on Singapore's linguistic predicament, comparing it with other regional language policies to explore what language means for society.
雙語教育一直是新加坡引以為傲的特色。然而，在全球化浪潮下，英語作為全球通用語言的地位與日俱增，新加坡年輕一代普遍較注重英語而輕視母語。當新加坡人不遺餘力地提升英語水平之際，獅城的母語教育卻逐漸被邊緣化，令精通雙語的優勢面臨挑戰。
在這次Global News Chat，來自新加坡的Holiday將帶領大家探討新加坡的語言困境，透過比較不同國家的語言政策，一同思考語言對社會的意義和影響。期待你的參與和分享!
Date: 19/02/2025 (Wed)
Time: 16:30 – 18:00
Venue: GE Gatherland 221 (MB221, 2/F, Main Building)
Language: English
Quota: 15 per session
Registration(Session 1): https://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_hdetail.aspx?ueid=98352
#Session 2 - Martial Law, Impeachment, and Division: The Current State of South Korean Society (Date:03/03/2025)
Student Hosts: Kum Sodam (BSocSc, Exchange)
In December 2024, President Yoon Suk-Yeol declared martial law—the first such declaration in 45 years. Within hours, the National Assembly passed a resolution demanding its withdrawal, which the president accepted, leading to its immediate termination. The Assembly then passed an impeachment motion, suspending President Yoon from office. He and several associated officials were subsequently arrested and are now under investigation for rebellion and related charges.
Public opinion initially showed overwhelming support for the impeachment. However, recent allegations of election fraud have sparked growing pro-Yoon rallies, deepening South Korea's societal divide. The riot at the Western District Prosecutors' Office in Seoul illustrates how these ideological conflicts have turned violent.
Why has South Korean society become so polarized? In this session, Sodam will lead a discussion exploring the root causes of South Korea's social polarization and examining the country's social and political characteristics.
去年12月，南韓總統尹錫悅宣布戒嚴令，國會迅速通過決議要求撤回，並隨後通過彈劾動議，暫停其總統職務。尹錫悅和相關官員其後因叛亂指控被捕。南韓民眾最初普遍支持彈劾，但隨著選舉舞弊指控出現，支持尹錫悅的示威活動逐漸增多，導致社會分歧日益加深。
南韓社會為何變得如此兩極化？在本次討論中，來自南韓的Sodam將帶領大家探討這種社會兩極化的根本原因，並從多個角度深入了解南韓的社會和文化特徵。
Date: 03/03/2025 (Mon)
Time: 16:30 – 18:00
Venue: GE Gatherland 240 (MB240, 2/F, Main Building)
Language: English
Quota: 15 per session
Registration (Session 2): https://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_hdetail.aspx?ueid=98912
Schedule:
| Date | Time | Venue |
| 19 Feb 2025 | 16:30 - 18:00 | GE Gatherland 221 (MB221, 2/F, Main Building, HKU) |
| 03 Mar 2025 | 16:30 - 18:00 | GE Gatherland 240 (MB240, 2/F, Main Building, HKU) |
Bio of Instructor(s) 導師簡介:
 | Zhuang Dinghua, Holiday (BBA, Exchange) Holiday Zhuang is a penultimate finance student from the National University of Singapore. Despite being a business student, her interest in linguistics and Chinese culture led her to pursue Chinese Studies and Spanish Language at a university level. |
 | Kum Sodam (BSocSc, Exchange) I am majoring in History, Brain & Cognitive Sciences, and Women's Studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, with a minor in Political Science and International Relations. I worked in the Political Unit as a Korean Political Intern at the U.S. Embassy Seoul. |