Message from the President

In the late 1960s, a group of dedicated geographers put their heads together and came up with the idea of an association to further the interest in the geography discipline. The stated objective was "to promote interest in, stimulate teaching of, and research in geography."

On 28 March 1969, the Hong Kong Geographical Association held its first annual general meeting. It witnessed the birth of the Association.

In the early 1970s, the Association had a small but closely knitted membership of about 100 geography teachers. It published its first annual newsletter called The Bulletin in 1971. This was mainly a publication for internal circulation with contents ranging from minutes of meetings to topical issues on geographical research and teaching. Correspondence with the Association then is by means of Post Office Box no.97553.

In the new millennium, the Association celebrates its 30th birthday. In the course of these years, its membership has grown and become more diversified. At present, there are over 200 members, both locally and from overseas.

The Bulletin was replaced in time by the Hong Kong Geographer and the Asian Geographers. The former caters for the interest of the local teaching profession while the latter covers topics and issues of interest within Asia and the Pacific Rim.

In 1981, the Association held the first Hong Kong Geography Day, which has now become a bi-annual event of the Association. Activities such as exhibitions, speeches and field trips provide an opportunity for intellectual exchanges and interflow among the teaching profession.

During the last three decades, the Association has also reached out for the public through the hosting of regular public seminars and conferences, organization of local and international field trips and the publication of proceedings papers on issues in the geography discipline which are of concern to geography researchers and geography lovers alike.

The Association also holds close to its heart the ongoing education and curriculum reforms that involve a possible reintegration of the geography discipline. The various articles included in this commemorative volume reflect the important yet controversial nature of the issues debated upon as well as the keen interest of our members in them.

At the same time, the Association has also assumed a more international outlook by taking active part in various commissions of the International Geographical Union. In 1995, four of our members were voted into the council of the China Geography Association.

As part of the attempt to reach out to the world, the Association is now accessible on the Internet, apart from having an e-mail correspondence address.

Writing at the eve of the 31st anniversary of the Hong Kong Geographical Association, I salute the foresight of the founders of the Association while expressing, on behalf of my many predecessors, my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for your fervent support during the three decades.

As the Association progresses into the era of the cyberspace and adopts a more dynamic outlook, it is of paramount importance that the objectives of the Association and the ideals of its founders are faithfully passed on. In this regard, I appeal to all of you, long standing friends of the Association, for your continuous support in the many more years to come.