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160 business firms participated in the programme, organising more than 270 activities, benefiting over 100 000 students.
Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education
As its name suggests, the Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education advises the Government on civic education matters. It also organises events with the Government and other concerned parties to promote civic education outside the school. In 2009, it focused on good citizenship, civic responsibility, building happy families and an integrated and harmonious society, respect for human rights, the rule of law, enhancing understanding of the Basic Law and a sense of national identity.
The committee runs a website to promote civic education themes. National education literature is provided in the National Education webpage. Events organised by the committee in 2009 included an exhibition which carried the theme 'Enrich your Life, Serve the Community'. The committee also produced civic education materials, which included a family magazine, youth magazine, newsletter and a calendar for 2010 the theme for which was 'Great Developments of Our Country'. This theme was adopted as the title of a new series of television APIs (Announcement in Public Interest) which were broadcast with the national anthem.
The committee collaborated with Radio Television Hong Kong to produce two national education TV programmes entitled 'Getting to Know our Cultural Roots' and 'Our Rich Heritage' to enhance young people's knowledge of China.
The Basic Law was also promoted widely. In 2009, the committee sponsored community organisations to carry out civic education activities with the theme, 'Enrich your Life, Serve the Community'.
Commission on Youth
The main task of the Commission on Youth is to advise the Government on matters concerning young people. It also initiates studies on ways to help them develop properly, and promotes moral education and organises exchange programmes with international youth organisations for them.
The commission runs programmes to bring out and cultivate young people's potential. These schemes include the International Youth Exchange Programme to broaden young people's outlook and world perception. In 2009, 55 young people visited Britain, Ireland and Singapore under the programme, while 43 from Britain, Ireland and Singapore made reciprocal trips to Hong Kong.
The commission also continued to run the 'Community Participation Scheme for Organising Study Tours to the Mainland' to enhance young people's knowledge of their home country, foster exchange with Mainland people and strengthen their sense of national identity. The commission sponsored 191 study tours to the Mainland in 2009 and organised a series of events under the new 'Youth National Education Funding Scheme' to promote national education for Hong Kong's young people.