Evening Dialogue with National Geographic Explorers
Registration 6:30pm
Discussion 7:00pm
Close 8:30pm

Whether they are exploring uncharted corners of our planet, advancing our understanding of the world around us, or working to protect at-risk species and their habitats, National Geographic explorers are going further, digging deeper, and pushing harder to change something much bigger than themselves. As part of The Jockey Club Art Education and Female Empowerment series, Asia Society Hong Kong Center and National Geographic invite you to discover and celebrate the stories of three National Geographic explorers who are breaking barriers in their fields. You will hear from the first Sri Lankan to earn a Ph.D. in marine mammal research, a photojournalist who has covered some of the most intense topics of our time, and a conservationist who works tirelessly to end wildlife trafficking. These women are paving the way for new generations of scientists, journalists, photographers, and educators to make a positive impact on our planet. The event will be moderated by Susan Goldberg, the first female editor in chief of National Geographic magazine.

Asha de Vos is a Sri Lankan marine biologist, ocean educator and pioneer of blue whale research within the Northern Indian Ocean. She established her own Sri Lankan grown non-profit, Oceanswell, and runs The Sri Lankan Blue Whale Project which is the first long-term study on blue whales in her region. Asha’s life work is to change the current marine conservation model, protect this unique population of blue whales and inspire the next generation of diverse ocean heroes.

Growing up in India, Onkuri Majumdar discovered her love of animals and has now devoted her life to prevent the trafficking that is decimating numerous species across Asia. The organization she works for, Freeland, covers all aspects of the illegal wildlife trade, from supporting law enforcement investigations to training officers and implementing behavior change campaigns.

Hannah Reyes Morales is a Filipina photojournalist whose work focuses on individuals mired in complex situations created by inequality, poverty, and impunity. This includes photographing human trafficking at sea for The New York Times and documenting changing indigenous cultures in the Philippines with support from a National Geographic grant. Recently, through a grant from the Ground Truth Project, she documented the lives of displaced Filipina women who wound up in the sex trade after frequent typhoons.

Susan Goldberg is editorial director of National Geographic Partners and editor in chief of National Geographic magazine. As editorial director, she is in charge of all publishing ventures, including digital journalism, magazines, books, maps, children and family, and travel and adventure. She was named editorial director in October 2015 and editor in chief of the magazine in April 2014. She is the 10th editor of the magazine since it was first published in October 1888. (Moderator)

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