ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces this book by accentuating the critical role of youth in today's society. It argues that education as a public good is an essential agent to levelling the playing field for youth from non-mainstream and/or underprivileged backgrounds. Global policy initiatives (UNESCO, 2016; United Nations, 1989) towards the facilitation of an inclusive and equitable learning environment for enabling success for all are examined. The relationships between education, belongingness, and well-being are analysed with reference to capital theory (Bourdieu, 1973). Hong Kong is then introduced as a case study, and the systemic barriers confronting mainstream, immigrant, and ethnic minority students are discussed. Student voices are cited to illustrate key well-being and engagement issues.
