Hello everyone! I’m Alvin, one of the committee members of the SDGs group at Sumitomo Mitsui Trust (Hong Kong) Limited and the organizer of our latest activity: Silence Detective. I’m excited to share some highlights and meaningful reflections from this unique experience, which was designed to align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 4: Quality Education and Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.

About the Activity 

While I can’t disclose too many details (to preserve the experience for future participants), I can share that Silence Detective is an immersive and thought-provoking activity conducted in a completely soundless environment. Participants are divided into teams, equipped with noise-isolation headphones, and tasked with solving intriguing cases.

The twist? You can’t speak or hear during the activity! Instead, you rely entirely on body language, hand signs, and creativity to communicate with your teammates. Together, teams navigate through clues to identify the “culprit” while uncovering fascinating fun facts about the Deaf community.

This activity was deeply engaging, as it gave us a small but powerful taste of the challenges faced by the Deaf community. For over an hour, we stepped into their world, experiencing firsthand the limitations of being unable to speak or hear. Through this, we gained a greater appreciation for the importance of inclusion and accessibility in society.

Reflections and Impact 

The Silence Detective activity left a lasting impression on all of us. After the event, many participants shared how this experience opened their eyes to the barriers faced by the Deaf community and inspired them to think more deeply about inclusivity in their daily lives.

Some of us were so moved that we decided to watch a recently released movie about the Deaf community and sign language: “The Way We Talk”.

Through this activity, we came to realize that building an inclusive society isn’t just about understanding the challenges faced by others—it’s also about taking action to foster empathy and support.

Linking to the SDGs

The Silence Detective activity directly supports two key Sustainable Development Goals:

1. Goal 4: Quality Education

It encourages understanding and empathy towards the hearing impaired. Also, it creates job opportunities for the disabled as the instructors are individuals who are genuinely hearing impaired.

1. Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities

Enhancing creative problem-solving and non-verbal communication skills – through teamwork and silent collaboration, participants gain a deeper appreciation for diverse abilities, contributing to a more inclusive and equitable society.

Building a More Inclusive Future 

This experience reminded us that small actions can lead to big changes. The more we engage with and learn about the challenges faced by marginalized groups, the closer we come to building a truly inclusive community.

At Sumitomo Mitsui Trust (Hong Kong) Limited, we remain committed to creating meaningful opportunities for our employees to engage with pressing social issues and make a difference. Silence Detective was more than just an activity—it was a step toward fostering greater awareness, understanding, and inclusivity in our workplace and beyond.

Together, let’s continue to build a world where everyone is seen, heard, and valued—even in silence.

Thank you for reading!