[FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE] Peter Singer and Brian Wong to Debate “Heart vs Evidence” in Philanthropy at HKU iCube

Hong Kong — Effective Altruism Hong Kong (EAHK) will host EAHK Lunch Debates: Heart vs Evidence, Peter Singer vs Brian Wong at HKU iCube, 40/F, Two Exchange Square, Central, bringing together leading voices in moral philosophy and public thought to examine how serious philanthropy should be guided today.

Scheduled for 21 July, 2026, the lunchtime event will feature Professor Peter Singer, Emeritus Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics at Princeton University and founder of The Life You Can Save, in a live debate with Professor Brian Wong, HKU-100 Assistant Professor in Philosophy at the University of Hong Kong. The central motion is: “In philanthropy, what works best counts for more than what feels right.”

The event comes at a moment when philanthropy in Hong Kong is becoming more institutionalised, more globally connected, and more focused on evidence and strategy. According to the Market Study on the Family Office Landscape in Hong Kong, commissioned by Invest Hong Kong and conducted by Deloitte, more than 3,380 single-family offices were in operation in Hong Kong as of the end of 2025, an increase of about 680 offices in two years, or more than 25 per cent. The same announcement said these offices contribute about HK$12.6 billion annually to the local economy through operating expenditures alone and directly employ more than 10,000 full-time professionals. In parallel, The Hong Kong Jockey Club announced the establishment of the Institute of Philanthropy in September 2023 with an initial HK$5 billion commitment, positioning it as an evidence-based “think-fund-do” tank for China and Asia to advance philanthropic thought leadership and collaboration.

“Across Hong Kong and Asia, there is growing interest in a more evidence-based approach to philanthropy, especially among families and institutions asking how to give more intentionally and effectively,” said Kenneth Chan, Managing Director of Effective Altruism Hong Kong. “But the real challenge is not simply choosing between heart and data. It is navigating the genuine tensions between personal and family values, measurable impact, and the competing claims of local responsibility and global effectiveness. This debate is designed to bring those tensions into the open in a serious, practical, and intellectually honest way.”

The programme begins at 12:00 with arrival and networking over a light plant-based lunch, followed by the formal debate at 12:20. Singer and Wong will set out contrasting starting points for philanthropic decision-making, from rigorous evidence, cost-effectiveness, and global impact to conviction, compassion, and the causes that resonate most deeply with donors and institutions.

Following the debate, Professor Bonnie Leung, Programme Director of the Master’s in Family Wealth Management at the University of Hong Kong, will moderate a fireside conversation with both speakers on the implications for philanthropy, family capital, and strategic giving, followed by selected audience questions. This segment is intended to connect philosophical ideas to real-world decisions facing families, wealth stewards, and impact-oriented professionals.

The event is hosted by Effective Altruism Hong Kong, with Kenneth Chan serving as chair. Tickets are listed at HK$360, and a light lunch will be provided to all attendees.

Event details

• Event: EAHK Lunch Debates: Heart vs Evidence, Peter Singer vs Brian Wong

• Venue: HKU iCube, 40/F, Two Exchange Square, Hong Kong

• Ticket price: HK$360

• Speakers: Professor Peter Singer; Professor Brian Wong

• Moderator: Professor Bonnie Leung, Programme Director of the Master’s in Family Wealth Management at the University of Hong Kong

• Chair: Kenneth Chan, Managing Director, Effective Altruism Hong Kong

About Effective Altruism Hong Kong

Effective Altruism Hong Kong is a community of people who want to use evidence and careful reasoning to do as much good as possible. As part of the broader global effective altruism community, EAHK convenes events and conversations that help funders, professionals, and students think more clearly about which problems to prioritise, which interventions to support, and how to turn limited resources into greater positive impact. linkedin

Media contact

Kenneth Chan

Managing Director, Effective Altruism Hong Kong

info@eahongkong.org