HKFYG on the Web

Everybody uses the Internet these days. It was invented nearly 30 years ago as a university bulletin board but now it's crucial to most of us whether we use it for advertising, counselling or shopping. The Federation's u21 website is a good example. At www.u21.org.hk there is a virtual portal to a wide range of on-the-ground Federation services. It makes them accessible 24/24, 7/7, something that would once have been impossible.

u21 was launched in January 2002 and has evolved rapidly. Now it's more than double its original size but has also expanded in concept. It offers plenty of information but is selective and importantly it also offers guidance. Some of our counselling services give interactive advice via the web pages. Content is broad but embraces topics specifically targeted at young people. It includes education, careers and leisure activities, not only in Hong Kong and on the mainland but also in the world at large.

We are also very proud to say that u21 has just received the 2004 Web Care Award at Primary Level for its achievements in providing a barrier-free Internet environment. Through the lively communication of ideas and distinctive graphic design, u21 strives to provide access to the most up to date and useful sources of information for youth in Hong Kong.

The website provides a focus for collaborative work with partners too. It serves sponsors by giving them access to youth via the media they use most actively. It offers the chance to disseminate information while opening access to potential new markets for products and services. Sponsors can also give prizes for the winners of online competitions and activities. Your partnership and support is vital in providing resources to enrich the website and increase its readership. For further details, please do not hesitate to contact the Partnership and Resource Development Office at 2123 9598.

Internet surfing and playing online games are the favourite pastimes of many young people in Hong Kong nowadays. Although the Internet can be a useful research tool and a good source of entertainment, it can also be a hotbed of crime. This year, several young people were charged with online game related offences. The situation is alarming.

In response to this new problem, the Federation joined hands with the Consumer Council, Breakthrough and The Boys' and Girls' Club Association of Hong Kong to investigate the situation of young people playing online games. According to the Federation's recent poll of young people's participation in online games, 73.7% of the youth respondents replied that the probability of being caught for online game related offences was small or very small. In addition, 78.2% of the respondents indicated that they would not consider calling the police if their online game tokens or weapons were stolen.

The Federation's survey also revealed that some young people were not able to identify Internet related crimes. For example, 23.2% of the respondents did not realize that using the identity of a former computer user who forgot to log out was a crime. 19.3% did not know that they had already broken the law if they pretended to be the game administrator and stole the online game weapons of other players. In order to collect this data 515 youngsters aged 12-29 were interviewed on the telephone during the period 11-13 May 2004. One of our conclusions is that greater public awareness is needed about the risk of unintentionally committing a crime when playing games online. A government information campaign targeted at youth might go some way to alleviate the problem.

Apart from helping to deter Internet related crime, the Federation also makes a positive contribution to keeping the cyber world healthy. Our website for young people, u21, has just received the Primary Level of Web Care Award 2004 for its efforts to promote a barrier free Internet environment. u21 strives to provide access to the most up to date and useful information for youth in Hong Kong today. Topics include careers, outdoors activities, the creative arts and education. We invite your organization to supply u21 with career information for posting on the website. You could also sponsor a prize for the winner of an online quiz. We also regularly host interactive columns and run questionnaires that serve educational purposes. Your participation and sponsorship is always welcome. It will provide resources to enrich the website and increase its readership. For further details, please do not hesitate to contact the Partnership and Resource Development Office at 2123 9598.

Female Enrolment in Secondary Schools

According to the 2001 Census, enrolment of females at secondary schools in Hong Kong exceeds that of males in the age group 12-16 years (98.0% of girls are enrolled compared with 96.9% of males) and in the age group 17-18 years (74.1% compared with 68.0% of males). The following table summarizes the statistics of girls as a percentage of the total enrolment in secondary schools according to family income group and region.

A Thousand Thanks for Your Support

With the sponsorship of Fat Cheong Construction Company Ltd, Living Stone Printing Co. Ltd, Power Logistics, Sante's Alp Teahouse and 7-11 Convenience Stores, the Federation successfully completed our first ever Flag Day on 29 May 2004. We extend our deepest gratitude to the Bank of China, CITIC Ka Wah Bank and HSBC for offering their branches to be used as collection centres. We are thankful to Airport Authority Hong Kong, Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry Ltd, Hong Kong Housing Authority, Hong Kong Housing Society, KCR Corporation, MTR Corporation, New World First Ferry Services Ltd and South Horizons Management Ltd for allowing our volunteers to sell flags at their private premises. Last but not least, we are of course indebted to the generosity of countless donors who supported our Flag Day!

Building on last year's success the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, Standard Chartered Bank and the Federation join hands again to launch, "Pearl for Youth", a study tour of the Pearl River Delta on 28-30 June 2004. Young participants will have the valuable opportunity to meet officials of Guangdong province and visit enterprises in the Pearl River Delta including Hong Kong businesses who have a base there. All young people aged 18-34 are welcome to apply. The deadline for applications is 9 June 2004. Click here to learn more!

To celebrate its 5th anniversary, the Federation's Ching Lok Nursery in Yau Ma Tei organized an Open Day on 8 May 2004. Nearly 1,000 parents, guests and children joined in the event and shared this special occasion with us. The Federation would like to thank Four Seas Mercantile Holdings Limited for offering the food and drinks that warmed the hearts of all our guests.

An Alternative for Unemployed Youth

On 24 May 2004, the Labour Department launched the Youth Self-employment Support Scheme to promote self-employment as an alternative to traditional salaried employment among young people. Targeted at unemployed youth aged 18-24 who have the motivation, entrepreneurship and innovative skill to become self-employed, the Youth Self-Employment Scheme will offer free training, self-employment support and marketing services for participants. The Federation has already been commissioned to carry out projects on a variety of possible self-employment enterprises. Check it out!

Nearly 10,000 Young People suffer from psychosis

According to information provided by the Hospital Authority, nearly 10,000 young people in Hong Kong suffer from psychosis, an early stage of mental disorder. Since 2001, the Hospital Authority has established a prevention and early intervention program for psychosis called "E.A.S.Y". In the academic year 2000-2001, 7,500 young people suffering from psychosis obtained help through the program. In the following year, the figure rose to 9,000. Common victims of psychosis are young people aged 15-25. Usual symptoms include disturbances in perception, disorganized thinking and bizarre beliefs and judgements. With prompt assessment and comprehensive medical and psychosocial treatment, psychosis can be treated successfully.

Children at risk from poor living conditions

Although Hong Kong is a highly developed city, a worrying number of children - many belonging to newly arrived families - are growing up in very poor living conditions. In the year 2002-03, the Society for Community Organization (SCO) interviewed 63 children living in cramped, shared quarters in dilapidated privately owned buildings in districts such as Sham Shui Po, Cheung Sha Wan and Kwun Tong. The average living space for each of these children is just 22 square feet. The worst case is a shocking 10 square feet per child. These figures are well below the Housing Department's standard of 70 square feet. The SCO plans to put forward a proposal to the Housing Department that the residency requirement for new arrivals be reduced to make such families eligible for public housing in central urban areas.