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“Invest
in Youth by building Partnerships.” Welcome to the second
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.
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Dr. Rosanna Wong, DBE, JP
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Call
for Partnership
Partnerships
are important because society is made up of a network of
relationships, between individuals, groups
of people and between different sectors. Through partnerships,
lessons can be learnt, experiences shared, opportunities doubled
and challenges met together.
The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups believes that youth
work is a community concern. We believe that in partnership
with the business sector and other interested groups, young
people can be nurtured, encouraged, motivated and challenged
to do their best, as individuals and for the community. We
are now seeking partners for sponsorships and are looking for
partners to join us in advocating on youth issues. We are also
exploring partnership possibilities through collaborative efforts.
The Federation considers partnerships invaluable to community
development and we see benefit for everyone involved. If you
would like to learn more, please do get in touch with us!
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Preparing
Young People for the Future
When
faced with a troubled economy, it is absolutely essential
to keep abreast of the latest trends in the job market. The
Federation,
together with RTHK and JUMP,
has launched “Towards
Self Enhancement: A Career Oriented Programme for Youth”.
It is hoped that through talks, firm visits and seminars,
young people can learn how hot
industries, such as tourism, logistics and beauty, along
with the creative multi-media sector, function and what the
specific
requirements they are looking for when they recruit. The
launching ceremony was held on October 16 at the Broadcasting
House of
RTHK and followed by an introduction to tourism-related businesses.
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“Unlimited
Potential” Empowers Youth
The
Federation and Microsoft Hong Kong have formed a partnership aimed
at empowering young people with IT skills. A generous donation
from Microsoft Hong Kong Limited has enabled the
Federation to set up the Cyber S.P.O.T. Project in our Tsuen Wan
Youth S.P.O.T.
Free computer training courses will be provided to young people
to develop and enhance their IT knowledge, thus increasing their
employability. A kick off ceremony was held on October 6, 2003.
The Federation is very privileged to be one of the two recipients
of Microsoft’s “Unlimited Potential” support in Hong Kong. For
more details of the Unlimited Potential project, click here
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Parent
Education Training Well Received by Teachers
The
Education and Manpower Bureau commissioned the Federation to
organize a training course on Parent Education for the second
year. Through a series of professional training, participating
teachers can build up their knowledge and confidence to promote
Parent Education in their daily work. The response, as in the
past, was overwhelming. Only half of the 600 applications received
were able to be accepted. Find out more here!
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Creating a Healthy
Cyber World for Young People
The Internet
is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it provides a gateway
to the world. On the other hand, it also holds the keys to
more illicit information, particularly crime and pornography.
Aware that there is a compelling need to create a healthy cyber
world for young people, the Federation and the Television
and Entertainment Licensing Authority are jointly organizing the
“Creating a Healthy Cyber World” Project. The Project consists
of a Computer Animation Design Competition, which will be held
in October 2003 and a Conference scheduled for February 7,
2004.
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Youth's
Views on China's First Astronaut in Space
The successful launch and return of the first Chinese manned spacecraft
Shenzhou-5 opens a new chapter for scientific and technological exploration
of space. On October 15, the Federation interviewed 500 young people
by phone and found that over 71 % of Hong Kong young people feel their
sense of national pride enhanced after the history-marking launch.
Click here to learn more about the findings.
In
addition, an e-message board was especially set up in the Federation's
youth website u21 for youngsters to express their best wishes
to China’s first astronaut in space, Yang Liwei. The message board
was well received by young people. From October 13 to 16, more than
800
messages were
posted.
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60%
Parents and Children Do Not Exercise Regularly
According
to a recent survey, 60% of parents and children are not in
the habit of exercising, even if only twice a week. Over
23% and 13.5% parents and primary students respectively do
not exercise at all. These figures reflect a very low awareness
of general health among parents, which needs to improve.
Click here for more information.
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Paying
Attention to Adolescent Spinal Problems
Hong
Kong parents are probably right to worry about the problem
of spinal curvature in their children. According Department
of Health figures, the ratio of Hong Kong students with
scoliosis has been increasing at an alarming rate, from
2.75% in 1995 to 10.5% in 2002. One chiropractic doctor
pointed out that too much time on the computer and lack
of exercise has contributed to this rise. To find out more,
please click here!
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New
Immigrant Students make a Positive Impression
Recent
research has shown that Hong Kong teachers generally have a
very positive impression of new immigrant students. This is
interesting and begs the question as to whether Mainland students
are applying themselves harder to their work than their Hong
Kong counterparts. According to the findings, 70% of Hong Kong
teachers agreed that new immigrant students were more hard
working than Hong Kong students. A majority of the teachers
further agreed that Mainland students were more aggressive,
patriotic and patient. Click here for details!
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World
Youth Leadership Jam
World
Youth Jams are annual, weeklong events that connect, support
and inspire 30 committed young leaders under age 30 from
15-20 nations whose lives are dedicated to building a thriving,
just and sustainable world for all. It provides a healing
and transformative context for community building, networking,
rejuvenation and expanding the effectiveness of outstanding
social change leaders. "For me Jams are the magical
place that brings wondrous beings together… help us ignite
into our highest potential," one participant said. The
2003 World Youth Jam was held on October 13-21 in Rishikesh,
Uttaranchal, India. Interested? Click here to learn more.
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Honest
Talks Help Children Postpone Sex
Teenage
sex is a headache for parents all over the world. As their
children reach puberty, many parents feel they have lost
control of their children to peers and temptations of popular
culture. However, this is not always the full picture. According
to a nationwide survey done in the United States, parents
have more influence over their children’s sex lives than
they fully realize. Of the teens surveyed, 88% said it would
be easier for them to postpone sex if they had more open
and honest talks with their parents. Ongoing conversation
is the key for parents to exert their influence. Check the
details of the survey here.
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Role
Models of Teens
According
to a survey conducted by the Chinese University of Hong Kong,
parents and historical figures, like Confucius, top the list
of most respected people identified by Hong Kong young people.
The result is strikingly similar to that of a recent poll in
the United States, in which 32% of 624 teens identified parents
as their best role models. In Italy, however, young people
were more inclined to choose religious figures from the Catholic
Church as their role models.
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Hong
Kong
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U.S.A.
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Italy
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Most Respected
Person (Top 5)
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Best
Role Models for Teens (Top 5) |
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My
Role Model (Top 3) |
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1. Parents
2. Historical
people (e.g. Confucius)
3. Teacher
4. Pop stars
5.
Myself
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1.
Parents (32%)
2.
Teachers (15%)
3.
Kobe Bryant (5%)
4.
Oprah Winfrey (3%)
5.
President George W.Bush (3%) |
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1.
Mother Teresa
2.
John Paul II
3.
Che Guevara |
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Source:
The Chinese University of Hong Kong, School of Journalism and
Communication (October 2003)
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Source:
Junior Achievement/Harris Interactive Poll (April 2003)
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Source:
Eurispes (April 2003) |
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Tapping
into Career Opportunities in the Pearl River Delta
“Pearl
for Youth”
With
the ailing economy and surging unemployment rate, more
and more Hong Kong youths are considering developing
their career paths in the Mainland, especially
in the Pearl River
Delta (PRD). The Federation, Hong Kong General Chamber
of Commerce and Standard Chartered Bank jointly launched
a “Pearl for Youth” project in January 2003 to help
local youth understand the employment prospects
better in the
Pearl River Delta. A panel session was held at which
leaders from different sectors shared their experiences
and provided
helpful hints on how to get a career on the Mainland
going. Click here to read and listen to the sharing of the speakers.
On October 13,
2003, the “Pearl for Youth” project released two studies
on “Employment of Hong Kong Youths in the PRD”
at a briefing luncheon. The business sector study concluded
that the PRD enterprises required “best-valued” talents,
while the youth study revealed that Hong Kong young people
lack enthusiasm for postings north of the border. Read the
research reports here.
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To
view the previous issue, simply click here |
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