Education 153
Hong Kong a 13-episode national education television programme entitled 'Our Motherland through Young Eyes' to enhance young people's understanding of China. Each episode lasts five minutes.
During the year, the committee completed a study on civic awareness, to obtain information related to social harmony in the contexts of family, school, workplace and community with respect to civility in particular; and national identity and sense of belonging.
The committee also continued to run the 'Community Participation Scheme' to encourage community organisations to carry out civic education activities at the district level. To create a stronger impact, the scheme adopts a new topical theme each year. The theme for 2008 was 'Olympic Spirit in a Harmonious Society'.
Commission on Youth
The main task of the Commission on Youth is to give advice on matters concerning young people. It initiates studies about them, helps improve services provided for young people and serves as a point of contact for exchange programmes with international youth organisations. The Government works closely with the commission to achieve these objectives.
To follow up on the findings of the benchmarking survey of the civic engagements and social networks of Hong Kong's young people, a further study was conducted to track Hong Kong young people's accumulation and development of social capital.
The commission continued to implement youth programmes to bring out and cultivate young people's potential. These included the International Youth Exchange Programme to broaden young people's outlook and world perspective. During the year, four groups comprising 69 youth delegates visited Britain, Ireland, Japan and Singapore under the programme. The commission played host to 64 young people from Britain, Ireland, Japan and Singapore who made reciprocal visits to Hong Kong.
The commission continued to run the Community Participation Scheme for Organising Study Tours to the Mainland to enhance young people's awareness and understanding of their home country, foster exchange with Mainland people and strengthen their sense of national identity. In 2008, the commission sponsored 214 study tours to the Mainland.
Website
Education Bureau: www.edb.gov.hk
Home Affairs Bureau: www.hab.gov.hk