On 2 April 2025, Dr Li Man Kong of The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong presented “Welfare, Well-being, and Economic Measurement: The Limitation of GDP from a Historical Perspective.”

In this insightful session, Dr Li traced the historical development of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as a dominant economic indicator, critically examining its inadequacy in reflecting the actual welfare and well-being of societies. He introduced alternative frameworks that incorporate social and environmental dimensions, advocating for a more comprehensive approach to understanding economic progress beyond traditional metrics.

The seminar gave students a new lens for evaluating how data steers policy and public priorities. The discussion also sparked ideas for coursework and research projects on topics ranging from sustainable development planning to data-informed social policy. In short, the session encouraged participants to look beyond traditional growth figures and consider metrics that better capture quality of life.