Problem statement:
Intergenerational differences in beliefs and values in Hong Kong have deepened, highlighting social issues at both institutional and individual levels. These disparities are concerning as they contribute to psychological distress, strain social relationships, and discourage support-seeking within families.

What is the project's target group?
Anyone in Hong Kong aged 18 and up.

What is the project's proposed solution?
In light of growing disparities between the perspectives of people of different ages and backgrounds in Hong Kong, The Trail Mixers initiative aims to engage and foster meaningful dialogue between diverse individuals in Hong Kong in a casual setting. We believe that this will allow people to see that (1) meaningful conversations do not always need to be ‘dense’ and ‘serious’ and (2) we can learn to take a curious approach when conversing with others whose perspectives differ from our own.

What are the hub activities for this project?
We will organise regular hiking events that take place once per month and feature beginner-friendly trails in Hong Kong. Hikes will be approximately 2 hours in duration and start in the morning. Each hike will have a maximum of 25 participants, consisting of 1 hike leader, 4 facilitators, and 20 event participants. After each hike, a 1-hour intergenerational dialogue session will take place during a 2-hour lunch gathering.

What are the project short and long-term goals?
In the short term, we aim to (1) engage the local community across ages and occupations through our hiking events and dialogues and (2) collect diverse opinions and perspectives, especially through intergenerational discussions. In the long-term, we aim to (1) understand the needs of our local community based on the insights gathered, (2) propose viable policies and community initiatives that address those needs, and (3) promote physical and mental wellness by building a healthy, supportive hiking community.

What are the project's available metrics?
To deliver 1 hike / month, starting from Dec 2023, until May 2024, as to avoid unstable weather condition, e.g. extreme hot weather, heavy rain and thunderstorms.

Who are the project collaborators, if any?
We have not decided on project collaborators yet, but plan to reach out to local hiking and sports groups to recruit participants for our activities.