4
Thursday, September 6, 1973
CRITICISM OF DISINTEREST AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE UNFOUNDED
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The Principal Assistant Colonial Secretary (Social Services), Mr.
David Lai Ka-wah, said this (Thursday) evening criticisms that young people
were not interested in their community were unfounded.
"The young people today have a different concept of value and
This is an
have become increasingly interested in public affairs.
encouraging sign and we must seize this opportunity to further promote
the aspirations of our young people," he said.
Mr. Lai was speaking at the presentation ceremony of certificates
to volunteers who participated in the Social Welfare Department's summer
The ceremony also marked the closing of the department's
youth programme.
summer youth activities.
Mr. Lai said the importance of strengthening and developing youth
services was fully recognised by the government and was kept under constant
review by departments responsible for various aspects of youth work and by
various advisory committees with relevant terms of reference.
"Further consideration is now being given to the possibility of
achieving a greater degree of co-ordination of the efforts being made by
both government and the voluntary bodies."
Most of the summer programmes for 1973, he said, had come to an
end and the Central Co-ordinating Committee was now making an evaluation
to be used for future planning.
"We do not accept the fact that because the summer programme has
been an annual event in the past six years, it must therefore continue and
no changes should be called for.
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