An Unforgettable Cross-Cultural Exchange: The 18th Humanities Research Symposium for Youth (HRSY) 2026

Written By: Wong Qian Jun, Brian (4i4, 2026)

From 19 to 25 June 2026, Hwa Chong Institution had the privilege of hosting the 18th Humanities Research Symposium for Youth (HRSY) 2026. The symposium brought together 80 delegates, including participants from Diocesan Girls’ School, Hong Kong; Citipointe Christian College, Australia; Bugil Academy, South Korea; and Hwa Chong Institution.

Centred on the theme “Progress and Peril”, HRSY 2026 was a meaningful week of academic exchange, experiential learning and cross-cultural friendship.

Established in 2008, HRSY serves as a platform for students from around the world to exchange perspectives and deepen their appreciation of the humanities. Each year, a different participating school organises and hosts the symposium, allowing successive cohorts of students to experience the culture and heritage of the host country.

From the opening ceremony on Day 1, delegates were introduced to the 2026 theme, “Progress and Peril”. In our opening address, Organising Secretary Samuel Su and I highlighted how these two seemingly opposing ideas are deeply intertwined within the human condition.

The theme invited delegates to explore the close relationship between progress and peril across different forms of human endeavour. It also shaped the symposium’s subsequent games, learning journeys and academic activities.

With the resounding knock of a gavel, the 18th HRSY was officially declared open, marking the beginning of five activity-filled days. 

Even before arriving in Singapore, delegates had conducted in-depth research across a range of humanities disciplines. Each day of the symposium focused on a different topic, from law and governance to cultural identity. Through engaging presentation formats, including interactive videos produced by some groups, delegates examined pertinent social issues and broadened their perspectives.

In the spirit of academic inquiry and discourse, the Concepts Committee also organised a Climate Crisis Simulation and a Rat Revolution Debate.

For the Climate Crisis Simulation, delegates assumed the roles of different stakeholders in the United Kingdom, each with distinct interests and objectives. As they responded to dynamic updates and negotiated with other groups, delegates gained a deeper understanding of the complexities of climate advocacy within a rapidly changing global landscape.

Framed through the engaging and light-hearted story of a rat, the Rat Revolution Debate gave delegates numerous opportunities to present persuasive arguments and develop creative ideas. It was especially enjoyable to observe how the groups strategised and skilfully wove their claims into compelling lines of argument. 

To further broaden the delegates’ perspectives, HRSY invited keynote speakers Dr Tan Lai Yong and Mr Muhammad Nasry Abdul Nasir to share about their work in social service and biodiversity advocacy respectively. Through engaging presentations, both speakers offered valuable insights into leadership, service and the importance of contributing meaningfully to society and the environment. Dr Tan incorporated live demonstrations and personal anecdotes into his session, prompting many delegates to gather around the stage afterwards to ask further questions and request his autograph. 

Beyond its academic components, what makes HRSY truly special is its distinctive blend of games and learning journeys, thoughtfully curated to foster cross-cultural understanding and build lasting friendships.

Through an overarching storyline, delegates were placed in groups in which they would interact and bond over the next few days. To break the ice, the Organising Team held a Karaoke Night, where delegates, still relatively unfamiliar with one another, sang their hearts out together.

One particularly memorable moment was seeing delegates from South Korea and Hong Kong lead the singing of Korean and Cantonese songs. In doing so, they shared aspects of their cultures with the wider group and helped forge connections that continued to deepen over the course of the symposium. 

Over the next few days, delegates also visited well-known local landmarks such as Fort Canning Park, Chinatown and Merlion Park.

Through these learning journeys, delegates gained a deeper appreciation of Singapore’s heritage, history and traditions. It was heartening to see facilitators and local delegates taking the initiative to introduce different aspects of Singaporean culture to their overseas peers. Sharing Singapore-style ice cream bread along the Singapore River was just one of the many fond memories created during these excursions.

The Programmes Committee also organised a variety of games that challenged delegates to collaborate and think creatively. One highlight was the Bomb Defusal Game, in which groups had to solve puzzles using physical bomb models. Delegates raced across the SALT Centre in search of clues, and each successful “defusal” was met with a strong sense of satisfaction and celebration. 

Through this combination of academic and experiential activities, I witnessed delegates forming close bonds and enjoying each other’s company. Their enthusiasm and growing friendships prompted me to reflect on what HRSY had come to mean to everyone involved. 

As HRSY 2026 drew to a close, I found myself returning to a question I had first asked nearly ten months earlier: What is HRSY?

At its core, HRSY is more than a symposium. It is a celebration of the humanities across cultures and disciplines. Yet beneath the academic discussions, presentations and activities, many of us discovered something more personal.

Through the conversations, laughter and late nights spent sharing stories at the Boarding School, we came to realise that, despite our differences, we were united by our shared humanity. We were equally imperfect, equally remarkable and equally human.

This is what HRSY is truly about: bringing people together not only to learn about the humanities, but also to learn more about one another and ourselves.

As we left the symposium, we carried with us lasting friendships and memories that will remain close to our hearts. At the same time, we left a part of ourselves with the people who had made the experience so meaningful.

HRSY 2026 was an unforgettable experience, and I am confident that Diocesan Girls’ School in Hong Kong will carry this spirit forward when it hosts HRSY 2027.