|
| “Invest
in Youth by building Partnerships.” Welcome to
the inaugural edition 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 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. |
|
|
Recognizing
the enormous benefits that cross-sector synergies can bring, the
Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups actively explores partnership
opportunities with government, businesses as well as the third
sector. Below are some new initiatives of our joint projects. |
Creating
Entrepreneurs for Tomorrow
|
|
|
Watch out! We could have the next Bill Gates or Li Ka-Shing in
the making! The LiveWIRE
Hong Kong Project is a collaborative effort
of Shell Hong Kong Limited and the Federation, and aims to nurture
entrepreneurship in young people with professional advice and support.
Since its launch in April 2002, more than 1,200 young people have
benefited through the five themed seminars. A total of 57 mentors
are recruited with 33 mentor-mentee paired-ups.
Share the success story of Desmond Tang and his friends who started
their own bookshop.
|
|
|
A Dose of Hospitality
|
|
|
Three cheers for the 2002 Hong Kong Young Ambassadors!
Committing a total of 8,796 service hours and organizing more than
120 promotional programmes, they certainly showed their enthusiasm.
What a tough act to follow!
Now in its third year of operation, the Hong
Kong Young Ambassador Scheme is jointly organized by the Tourism Commission and the Federation
to encourage and train young people to promote the rich tradition,
heritage and tourist attractions of Hong Kong. This year, 196 students,
both local and from overseas, were newly appointed to be Hong Kong
Young Ambassadors. Those who were studying abroad came from as far
a field as Britain, the United States, Canada, Germany, Australia
and Japan.
|
|
|
New Airport
Ambassadors
|
 |
For most of us, September 17 was just
another usual day, but for the 28 young people who were inaugurated
as Hong Kong Airport Ambassadors, it was very special indeed.
They formed the third intake for this prestigious posting,
in a scheme organized for the second year in cooperation with
the Airport Authority and the Labour
Department. Young people
interested in tourism and aviation will gain relevant work
experience and training through this Scheme.
We hope that more similar cross-sector partnerships will
be established to explore new employment and training opportunities
for youth.
|
|
|
|
Encouraging
Corporate Volunteerism
|
|
|
Helping others
feels good! In an effort to promote corporate volunteerism,
the
Federation's Youth Volunteer Network (VNET) has actively been
recruiting companies and corporations to become “Friends of
VNET”.
Since May last year, i-CABLE Communications Limited
has been working closely with VNET, including visiting mentally
handicapped children, new arrivals, as well as joining in as
participations
in a charity run. Just look
at the happy faces!
|
|
|
|
|
Youth's Career
Expectation
|
 |
Just
take a guess. What do young people find most attractive: Stable
working hours? A high salary? Good promotion opportunities?
Learn the answers in the Federation's No.117
Youth Poll “Face the Reality: The Aspiration of the Young
People on Career and Fringe Benefits for Employment”. You
will then understand how young people in Hong Kong view their
careers and what they think of fringe benefits. Do not miss
it!
|
|
|
|
Challenges for
Students in the New Academic Year
|
|
September
is Back to School month. Although most students are excited
to begin a new academic year, many face great adjustment
problems. Over the past two months, the Federation's Youthline
2777 8899 received 367 counseling calls concerning
school adjustment problems. Most students found it difficult
to adapt to school life again after the long summer vacation.
Some also reported difficulties in communicating with their
new teachers or classmates. Form One students seemed to
have the hardest time, understandable given the enormous
changes in switching from primary to secondary school, especially
if there were now attending schools where the medium of
instruction is English.
|
|
|
|
Survey revealed Weak National Identity among
Youths
|
| |
Six years after China resumed her sovereignty over
Hong Kong, 30% of Hong Kong secondary students still find it difficult
to identify themselves as Chinese. A survey released by the Hok
Yau Club just before National Day reveals that Hong Kong secondary
students identify themselves more as “Hongkongese” rather than
Chinese. Over 45% out of 4595 secondary school respondents disagree
with the sentence “I love China”, while 81% of them agree that
they love Hong Kong. To learn more about how our young people view
their identity, click here. |
|
|
|
|
Youth
Unemployment: A Global Phenomenon
|
 |
Youth
unemployment is a problem that affects everyone. Some 74 million
young people around the world are currently out of work. It
was also the theme of this year's International
Youth Day. Click here
to read the message of Kofi A. Annan, Secretary General of
the United Nations.
|
|
|
|
Positive Peer
Pressure Helps Teens Remain Drug-free
|
 |
As
the ever increasing problem of drug abuse amongst youngsters
is of great concern to those in Hong Kong, the story is
similar in the United States. Youth to Youth International
is a community-based
drug prevention and youth leadership program focusing primarily
on middle school and high school students worldwide. Its
philosophy is based on the influence of positive peer support
and on helping other teens choose and maintain a drug-free
lifestyle. Check it out and see how peer influence helps
young people stay away from drugs!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proportion of Youths
in the Total Population
|
 |
According
to the “2001 Population Census”, the proportion of youth
(those aged between 15 and 24)
in the total population of Hong Kong was 13.7%. How does this
figure compare to that of other countries? The United Nations’
“Youth 2000 Profile” shows that Denmark has the lowest proportion
of young people in the world, with only 11.3% only. At the other
end of the spectrum is Saint Vincent and Grenadines, which have
the highest proportion of youth in its population, 34%. Hong
Kong is at the lower end, ranked 20 out of more than 170 countries.
The figure of China was 15.5%. |
|
| |
Bottom Twenty of the world |
| |
1. Denmark |
11.30% |
11. Luxembourg |
12.60% |
|
| |
2. Sweden |
11.50% |
12. Finland |
12.70% |
|
| |
3. Netherlands |
11.60% |
13. Japan |
12.80% |
|
| |
3.Germany |
11.60% |
14. France |
13.10% |
|
| |
5. Italy |
11.80% |
14. Canada |
13.10% |
|
| |
6. Norway |
12.00% |
16. Cuba |
13.40% |
|
| |
7. Belgium |
12.10% |
17. Australia |
13.50% |
|
| |
8. Singapore |
12.30% |
17. U.S.A. |
13.50% |
|
| |
9. United Kingdom |
12.40% |
17. Qatar |
13.50% |
|
| |
10. Austria |
12.50% |
20. Greece |
13.70% |
|
| |
|
|
20*.
Hong Kong |
13.70% |
|
|
Source: United Nations “Youth 2000 Profile”
* The United Nations’ Report does not include the figures of Hong Kong.
The figure used here is quoted from the “2001 Population Census" |
|
|
|
|
Worldwide Discussion
on Globalization
|
| |
Join
the debate! Young people all over the world are talking
about the issues of globalization and how it impacts on
their daily lives and career possibilities. Have a look
at their report, “Highly
Affected, Rarely Considered”, which
covers a wide range topics, including education, violence,
technology and culture. Click
here to take action. |
|
|
|
Youth Development
Goals
|
 |
As with their
counterparts all over the world, young people in Hong Kong
are
also eager to voice their views on the future. A group of young
people came together to put forth the Youth Development Goals,
10
issues they felt to be significant to their futures. Following
up with discussions and meetings, these young people aspire to
work out concrete indicators of youth development for the Government
to consider. Tell us what you think!
The proposed
10 Youth Development Goals are as follows:
1. Narrowing the gap between rich and poor
2. Providing opportunities for productive employment
3. Promotion of equal opportunities
4. Instilling a respect and consciousness to the rule of law
5. A commitment to life long learning
6. Promotion of healthy living
7. Participation in sustainable development
8. Strengthen their national identity
9. Enhancing their talents and skills to be global citizens
10. Increasing their own participation in public affairs and community actions
When it comes
to government policy-making, the needs and concerns of youth are
very often overlooked. Hong Kong lacks explicit policy measures
targeting young people. Read Dr.
Rosanna Wong's article and find out in what ways Hong Kong
should commit herself to young people.
|
| |
|
|
|
