Hong Kong Welcomes Fondation de France Asia: A Philanthropic Debut
2 July 2024 set the stage for a landmark event at the Hong Kong Palace Museum, as Fondation de France Asia officially launched its presence in Hong Kong. The prestigious gathering welcomed a mix of prominent figures from the business, philanthropic, and social spheres, marking this new landmark.
The launch, graced by the presence of Mr. Michael Wong, Deputy Finance Secretary of the Hong Kong SAR, and held under the esteemed patronage of Mrs. Christile Drulhe, the Consul General of France, featured a keynote address by Mrs. Axelle Davezac, CEO of Fondation de France. Mrs. Davezac highlighted the strategic importance of the new Hong Kong hub in driving the foundation’s initiatives across Asia.
Over 250 distinguished guests were treated to an exclusive viewing of “The Adorned Body: French Fashion and Jewellery – 1770–1910 from the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris,” an exhibition showcasing nearly 400 exceptional pieces from France’s national collections.
Mrs. Davezac’s address focused on the foundation’s commitment to building strong, collaborative partnerships between leading French and Asian philanthropic institutions. She outlined how these alliances would foster advancements in education, healthcare, the arts, social inclusion, and scientific research. Fondation de France Asia, she explained, would serve as a catalyst for nurturing future leaders, supporting vulnerable communities, and promoting cultural and technological innovation.
The celebratory speech culminated in a toast, where Mrs. Davezac was joined by key figures including Mr. Michael Wong, Deputy Finance Secretary of the Hong Kong SAR, Mrs. Christile Drulhe, Mr. Henry Tang, Chairman of the West Kowloon District Cultural Authority, and Fondation de France Asia’s Ambassadors: Dr. Andrew Yuen, Mr. Daryl Ng (represented by Mr. Charles Chia), and Dr. Calvin Choi.
The event also provided an opportunity to recognise the invaluable expertise of the foundation’s Advisors, including Mr. Francis Belin, Mr. Hervé Guinebert, Dr. Ruth A. Shapiro, Mr. Nicolas Vanderchmitt, and Ms. Eva Yu, who joined Executive Director Julien-Loic Garin on stage.
The “Night for Philanthropy” segment showcased five impactful projects from prominent French institutions: Fondation de l’Ecole Polytechnique, Fondation HEC, Musée des Arts Décoratifs Paris, Institut Imagine, and Handicap International. These initiatives are designed to foster international collaboration in culture, science, medicine, and education.
The event was made possible through the generous support of Christine Dai jewellery and Perrier-Jouët champagne, contributing to a truly memorable evening.
