Scholarism (Chinese: 學民思潮, pinyin: Xué Mín Sī Cháo) was a Hong Kong-based political activist group formed in 2011 by a coalition of secondary school students, notably Joshua Wong, Nathan Law, and others. The organization emerged in response to the Hong Kong government's proposal to implement a compulsory "Moral and National Education" curriculum, which the founders and supporters perceived as a form of political indoctrination and a threat to the region's autonomy and civil liberties.
Founding and Objectives
The group was established with the stated aim of protecting academic freedom, promoting democratic values, and encouraging civic participation among youth. Its initial campaign focused on organizing public demonstrations, petitions, and media outreach to oppose the National Education syllabus. Scholarism also sought to foster a broader youth movement for political reform in Hong Kong.
Key Activities and Campaigns
- 2012 Anti‑National Education Protest: Scholarism organized a large-scale protest on 29 July 2012, attracting thousands of students and supporters. The demonstration contributed to the eventual shelving of the compulsory National Education program.
- 2014 Umbrella Movement Participation: Members of Scholarism played prominent roles in the 2014 pro‑democracy protests (also known as the Umbrella Movement), which called for genuine universal suffrage in the election of Hong Kong's Chief Executive.
- Political Advocacy: The group engaged in dialogues with governmental bodies, produced policy briefs, and leveraged social media to disseminate its positions. It also provided training and resources for student activism.
Organizational Structure and Evolution
Scholarism operated as a loosely organized, volunteer‑driven network rather than a formal political party. Leadership was predominantly youth‑led, with advisory support from senior civil society figures. In 2016, the organization announced its dissolution, with members transitioning to form or join other political entities, such as Demosistō, which continued to advocate for Hong Kong's democratic development.
Impact and Legacy
Scholarism is recognized for its role in mobilizing a generation of Hong Kong youth towards political engagement and for influencing public discourse on education policy and democratic reform. The group's actions contributed to heightened international awareness of Hong Kong's political climate during the early 2010s. Its former leaders have continued to be active in Hong Kong's pro‑democracy movement, facing legal challenges and imprisonment under subsequent national security legislation.