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Young people urged to become volunteers
Young people in Hong Kong are urged to contribute back to the society by becoming volunteers.
Speaking at the 24th anniversary ball of the Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps yesterday (Friday) evening, the Director of Social Welfare, Mr Ian Strachan, said volunteering was an important means through which young people could express their concerns and be involved in making Hong Kong a better place.
"Young people are the future of Hong Kong. As Hong Kong enters a period of significant transition, it is particularly important that young people are given the support and opportunities to prepare them to be responsible members of society.
"Government's resources are being invested to meet our young people's needs and aspirations," Mr Strachan added.
He praised the Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps for contributing towards the healthy development of young people, particularly in developing discipline, sense of responsibility, self-respect and commitment to serve the community.
On volunteering programmes in the Social Welfare Department, Mr Strachan said his department had been organising the Opportunities for Youth Scheme for 20
years.
"The objectives of the Scheme are to provide opportunities and funds for young people to realise their planned projects which are conducive to their personal and social development and to benefit the community.
"Every year we present awards to outstanding volunteers. The department also started two years ago an Overseas Exchange Programme for Outstanding Youth Volunteers," Mr Strachan said.
He said 14 local youth volunteers selected for their remarkable volunteering efforts would represent Hong Kong on an exchange tour to Singapore and Malaysia at the end of September to share their experiences with their overseas counterparts.
End/Saturday, September 16, 1995