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Aimed at all those who are interested in young people, their problems and concerns, hopes and aspirations, Invest in Youth, share stories, information and news. We welcome you your suggestions and comments, but ask you also to take the time and see how you might be able to join us building up partnerships. Please show your support by joining our mailing list to receive Invest in Youth every week.

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Survey on Youth Participation in Fine Arts Activities
Participation in fine arts can be a positive vehicle to spark one's imagination, develop creativity and enhance communication. However, students in Hong Kong are often under pressure to excel on tests and examinations and they do not spare much time for art. According to a recent research on youth culture conducted by The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, over 70% of Hong Kong young people does not attend any of fine arts events throughout the year. The figure reflects a definite urgency to cultivate

young people's interests in fine arts. Please refer to our Weekly Focus for further details.

 
Introducing Young People to the Design Profession Organized by the Hong Kong Design Centre, sponsored by the Innovation and Technology Commission and co-organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education and the Federation, an exhibition entitled “Design ‧ Career & Education” will be held on 6th to 9th December at Hall 1C of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. In this special exhibition, young people can learn more about the design profession and its training path.
They will have a chance to meet professional designers, understand the creative process and enjoy interesting and informative seminars. For further information, please click here.

Preparing Youth to seize Mainland Employment Opportunities
 As the first Chinese astronaut in space Lieutenant Colonel Yang Liwei said, “Opportunity only presents itself to those who are well-prepared”. To better prepare young people in Hong Kong to seize employment opportunities in the mainland, the Federation partners with Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and the Standard Chartered Bank to launch a study tour to the Pearl River Delta from 18th to 20th December.
During the 3-day tour, 100 youth delegates will explore the industrial and commercial developments of the region, interact with Guangdong Province officials and visit the Shenzhen Science and Technology Industrial Park. Application for the tour is open until December 5. Check it out now!

Introducing Hong Kong to Visitors
After weeks of intensive training, the 2003 Hong Kong Young Ambassadors have begun to carry out their mission to spread the message of a hospitable Hong Kong. One of their most important tasks is to introduce Hong Kong to visitors at 11 tourists spots. The Federation would like to express our sincere gratitude to Hong Kong Airport Authority, Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation, Leisure and Cultural Services Department, Planning Department, Stanley Plaza Management Office,
The Chinese Temples Committee, The Peak Hong Kong, The “Star” Ferry Company, Limited and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals for accepting our stationing service. The Hong Kong Young Ambassador Scheme is a joint effort of the Federation and the Tourists Commission. Click for further details.

  Overweight Kids spend 23 Hours a Week Watching TV and Using computers
 A survey revealed that the longer hours children in Hong Kong spent watching television and using computers, the higher possibility they become obese as a result of lack of exercise. The Department of Physical Education of the Hong Kong Baptist University interviewed 104 overweight children aged between 8 and 12 in a 3-month period last year. Among the 104 children respondents with obesity
problems, each spent an average of 23 hours a week
watching television and using computers. All are not in good physical shape. They cannot even climb 6 stories of stairs without a break.

Youth Vote because of their Civic Responsibility
 On the District Council Voting Day, the Hong Kong Caritas Youth and Community Service interviewed 756 voters aged between 18 and 40 for their attitudes and intentions towards the District Council Election. 77.3% of youth respondents reported that they voted to fulfill their civic responsibility, while 11.3% claimed that the July 1 protest had inspired them to vote. Over 80% of youth voters expected the District Council to play a bigger role in the public consultation towards institutional reforms.

Juvenile Theft Problem in Sheung Shui
 As stated by the Sheung Shui Divisional Commander on November 23, the juvenile crime rate of the district remained stable. Theft and physical injuries were the most common crimes teenagers in Sheung Shui committed. Theft cases topped the list with about 60% of the district's total number of juvenile crimes. This year, for the first time, Sheung Shui district recorded a few computer crime cases. The police have already joined hands with schools to arouse students' awareness of computer crime issues.

  2003 International Forum on Youth Business
 The 2003 International Forum on Youth Business took place in Beijing from November 25 to 27. Over 160 participants from Britain, India, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, Hong Kong and different provinces of Mainland China gathered together and discussed topics related to the growth of young entrepreneurs. The conference formed part of the launch of Youth Business China, an international cooperative project launched by the All-China Youth Federation to nurture entrepreneurship in Chinese young people.
Our Executive Director, Dr. Rosanna Wong, was invited to be the moderator of the keynote address on UN Youth Employment Network and Millennium Development Goals.

International ChildArt Festival
Every four years, young artists from over 50 countries come together at The National Mall, Washington D.C., to participate in the International ChildArt Festival (ICAF). The festival is a culmination of ICAF's Arts Olympiad for children, which starts with a global art competition and culminates in the world's largest international children's celebration on The National Mall. The 2003 International ChildArt Festival was held from September 6th through 13th. Thousands of children illustrate their ideas on the
theme “Me in the New Millennium” using paint, pastels, crayons, chalks, ink and dyes. The child delegates also had a chance to interact with master artists and international celebrities. Explore this wonderful event here!

The Benefits of Arts Education
Arts education is a vital and yet often neglected aspect of most school learning experiences. American for the Arts, an American lobby group for more arts education opportunities for children, has compiled some highlights of arts education research. Below are some correlations between youth participation in the arts and their positive behaviors, giving you a more pictorial illustration of the benefits of arts education.

Young people who participate in the arts for at least three hours on three days each week through at least one full year are:

· 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement
· 3 times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools
· 4 times more likely to participate in a math and science fair
· 3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance
· 4 times more likely to win an award for writing an essay or poem
Young artists, as compared with their peers, are likely to:
· Attend music, art, and dance classes nearly 3 times as frequently
· Participate in youth groups nearly 4 times as frequently
· Read for pleasure nearly 2 times as often
· Perform community service more than 4 times as often
Source: Living the Arts through Language + Learning: A Report on Community-based Youth Organizations, Shirley Brice Heath, Stanford University and Carnegie Foundation For the Advancement of Teaching, Americans for the Arts Monograph, November 1998
***Encourage Youth to become Involved in Fine Arts***



Little Youth Involvement in Fine Arts Activities
 To get a clearer picture of youth culture, the Federation interviewed 543 young people in Hong Kong aged between 15 and 24 by telephone in March and April 2003. The survey revealed that popular culture continued to be the mainstream culture of young people. Pop music, local movies, skateboarding and hip-hop dancing topped the list of young people favorite pastimes. The majority of them
(75%) had little exposure to fine arts and culture.
There is a definite urgency to promote an interest in fine arts among young people in Hong Kong. Click here for more information.


  Opening Young Eyes to Art
The popular perception that fine art is dull and incomprehensible often stops young people to understand and enjoy art. Actually, with proper instruction, even a 9-year-old can discover art on his or her own. Fourth and fifth graders in Evanston, Illinois, learned ways to look at art in a two-part classroom presentation “Multicultural Perspectives”. In lively dialogues, professional fine artists help students to experience and understand art through their own perceptions. The programme was well received
by the children. To learn more, read Victor M. Cassidy's article “Opening Young Eyes to Art”. You may have new ideas of how to increase Hong Kong young people's interests in fine arts.
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Copyright© 2003 The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups