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“Invest in Youth by building Partnerships.” Welcome to the fourth issue of The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups’ e-newsletter. 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.

Dr. Rosanna Wong, DBE, JP

Learning from an Astronaut
This was an exciting time for Hong Kong! China's first astronaut Lieutenant Colonel Yang Liwei came to visit. Making the trip here so soon after his journey into space, the people of the city felt a close connection to the historic event, allowing them to enjoy the joy and the glory of what has been achieved.

Hong Kong welcomed Lt. Col. Yang with a very busy schedule, yet throughout the excitement and enthusiasm, the astronaut was charming and genuinely pleased to be here. He spoke of how touched he was by the warmth shown to him and how pleased he was to see so many young people. During all his visitations, Yang was very open about his life and shared his many experiences, as well as difficulties, in achieving his goal. He told young people that they needed to be persistent in achieving their dreams, no matter how many obstacles and challenges they found in their way. From his own family history, he spoke movingly about the importance of good health and urged youth to be disciplined in maintaining a high standard of clean living. Yang also reminded his audience that scientific knowledge was power. He stressed the magnitude of technological advancements and how necessary it was to keep up, rather than be left behind.

This was a fabulous opportunity for the lucky youngsters to meet a real ‘hero’. He provided them with so much food for thought. The first Chinese astronaut managed, during his short but very busy visit, to inspire people to constantly seek knowledge, to always remain curious and competitive and to be aware of their civic responsibilities. What struck me was how Lt. Col. Yang conducted himself throughout his visit. He really is a hero, not only because of his accomplishments, but also because of his character. He was humble, considerate and appreciative. He was patient and fully aware that his feat was not for himself, but for his country. The visit left the people of Hong Kong with a strong feeling of pride in being Chinese.


 
Sparking Interaction Among Youth Volunteer Leaders
The Federation is encouraged to see that more and more corporations are now advocating the value of volunteering. As a result of the sole sponsorship of CITIC Ka Wah Bank, the Federation will organize the first ever conference for Youth Volunteer Leaders (凝聚青年義工力量第一屆會議), which will be held on December 6 at the International Trade and Exhibition Centre, Kowloon Bay. Through seminars and other sessions, youth volunteer leaders will have the opportunity to share ideas, experiences and practices. Over 700 youth volunteer leaders will participate in this landmark event. The Federation is honored that the Director of Social Welfare, Mr. Paul Tang Kwok-wai, JP, and Mr. John Cho-chak Chan GBS, JP, the Managing Director of Kowloon Motor Bus and a Member of The Community Chest, have agreed to be the Guest Speakers at the Opening Ceremony. The Federation is now inviting nominations of youth volunteer leaders to attend the Conference. Click for further details.

Caring for the Deprived Elderly
The SARS outbreak in the Spring brought to the attention of the entire community the plight of the elderly, especially those who are neglected and deprived. A group of caring people, working in partnership with the Federation and the Society for Community Organization, initiated “Project Relay” to show their concern for disadvantaged elderly people. “Project Relay” appealed to all taxpayers to donate their tax rebates to enhance the living conditions of the deprived elderly. Youth volunteers visited these vulnerable elderly regularly and discussed ways by which they could spend the donations wisely. Over 560 elderly benefited from the project. Click here to see how Project Relay brightened the lives of hundreds of elderly people and youth volunteers.

Inspiring Students with Stories of Teens Overcoming Adversity
“The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Felix Wong Youth Improvement Award” was set up in 1997 with a generous donation from an individual donor. Every year, 20 local secondary students are recognized for the efforts that they have made in overcoming life crises or misfortune. The Award has been well received by the education sector. Now, with support from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the life struggles of four winners of the Award have been compiled in an Education Kit to inspire and influence others. A Life Education Seminar, along with promotion of the Education Kit will be held on November 22.


Inspiring Young Scientists
There is a cross-sector partnership that paves the way for young scientists to showcase their talents. The Hong Kong Student Science Project Competition 2004, the 6th in the series, is jointly organized by the Federation, the Innovation and Technology Commission and the Education and Manpower Bureau to promote the interest of students in science and technology. The theme this year is “Science, Youth and Future”. The Competition is now inviting nomination from local secondary schools. Learn more and help us locate future scientists!


 

Recognizing Outstanding Young People

Seven outstanding youths were recognized for their professional achievements and commitment to the community at the Ten Outstanding Young Persons Selection 2003. Winners include professors, artists, businessmen and a charity founder. Pop stars Gigi Leung and Aaron Kwok were also on the list. What makes these individuals stand out as excellent role models for today's youth? Read their stories here to learn the answer.

Teen Pregnancy a Serious Problem

In the past 12 months, over 700 teenage girls who became pregnant out of carelessness and without planning, sought counseling from Mother's Choice. What makes this particularly worrying is the fact that these figures are double the number of cases recorded in the previous year and the youngest case was only 12 years old. Of the pregnant girls assisted by Mother's Choice, 63% decided to give their babies to adoptive families, while 35% chose to raise the babies themselves. Click here to learn more.

 

Taiwan Tops Teen Pregnancy Rate in Asia

According to the latest statistics released by the Taiwan Government, the pregnancy rate for young girls between the ages of 15 and 18, is 12.95 per 1,000, the highest among developed countries and regions in Asia. Singapore, Japan and South Korea have also recorded increasing figures, which are 8 per 1,000, 4 per 1,000 and 2.8 per 1,000 respectively. The Taiwanese Government has attributed this high figure to a very open attitude towards sexual relations among young people.
Challenging Youth to Design a ‘Martian’
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the United States has launched a “Design-a-Martian Challenge”. The challenge is to nurture the interest of young people in Mars and to envisage and design ‘creatures’ that could survive in the sand storms, cold temperatures and other harsh conditions of the “red planet”. NASA scientists will be invited to provide final feedback about the students’ designs. For more information about the challenge, click here.

Youth in Extreme Poverty
In 2000, 238 million young people in the world were surviving on less than US$1 dollar a day. India, China, Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Vietnam, Brazil, Ethiopia, Indonesia and Mexico are the 11 countries with the largest concentration of youth below the poverty line. Together they account for 77% of the 238 million in extreme poverty.

See the table below to get the actual numbers of young people aged 15-24 years in the 11 countries with the highest concentration of youth below the poverty line (income/consumption of less than US$1 per day), estimated from national data :
Country
Proportion of the total population living on less than US$1 per day(percentage)
Total estimated youth population aged 15-24 years(millions)
Number of youth living below the US$1-per-day poverty line(millions)
India
China
Nigeria
Pakistan
Bangladesh
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Viet Nam
Brazil
Ethiopia
Indonesia
Mexico
44.2
18.8
70.2
31.0
29.1
66.6
37.0
11.6
31.3
7.7
15.9
191.2
191.4
24.7
29.5
30.2
9.8
16.3
34.0
12.1
42.1
20.0
84.5
36.0
17.3
9.1
8.8
6.5
6.0
3.9
3.8
3.2
3.2
Total    
182.5
Source: World Youth Report 2003, Chapter 3 http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/wyr/index.html

Global Youth Service Day
“165 days, 164 days, 163 days, 162 days to go…”

Youth volunteers from all over the world are counting down to the Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) 2004. This is an annual global event that highlights the amazing contributions made by youth year-round to their communities through volunteering. On Global Youth Service Day, millions of young people in over 150 countries will highlight and carry out thousands of community improvement projects. Check out the GYSD website for more details.

Hong Kong will join the celebration as well, with the Federation to be the Lead Agency locally for GYSD. The Youth Volunteer Network (VNET) of the Federation would like to mobilize 5,000 Hong Kong young people to participate in various volunteer activities in April to address the needs of the community. Click here to see what VNET has in mind.


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