XN000022-1979-01-24 — Page 20

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1979

RESPONSES TO YOUTH CENTRES POSITIVE

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THE MAJORITY OF RESPONSES BY YOUNG PEOPLE TO A SURVEY INITIATED BY THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF STUDENTS LAST SUMMER ON A NUMBER OF YOUTH CENTRES WERE POSITIVE.

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, THE HON. THOMAS LEE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM DR. THE HON. HO KAM-FAI.

+THEY CONSIDERED THAT ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE CENTRES WERE USEFUL TO THEM AND THAT YOUTH CENTRES WERE PROVIDING THE MUCH NEEDED OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM TO DEVELOP INTERESTS, MAKE NEW FRIENDS, LEARN NEW SKILLS, IMPROVE THEIR ABILITY AND ENHANCE SELF-CONFIDENCE AND SENSE OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY,+ MR. LEE

ADDED.

HOWEVER, THE REPORT

THE SURVEY WAS COMPLETED LAST NOVEMBER

HAD A FEW CRITICISMS TO MAKE ON THESE YOUTH CENTRES.

FIRST, THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH TRAINED PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS TO MAN THEM.

SECOND, THERE WAS TOO MUCH EMPHASIS ON RECREATION AND NOT ENOUGH COUNSELLING SERVICE TO INDIVIDUALS.

THIRD, MEMBERS DID NOT RECEIVE SUFFICIENT ENCOURAGEMENT

TO CONCERN THEMSELVES WITH CURRENT SOCIAL ISSUES.

LASTLY, THE CENTRES WERE NOT REACHING OUT TO YOUNG

INDIVIDUALS WHO DID NOT COME FORWARD TO JOIN THE YOUTH CENTRES OR WHO WERE USUALLY REFERRED TO AS +PROBLEM YOUTHS+.

COMMENTING ON THESE REMARKS, MR. LEE POINTED OUT THAT THE OBJECTIVE OF YOUTH CENTRES IS TO HELP YOUNG PERSONS TO ACHIEVE A BALANCED DEVELOPMENT RECREATION IS BUT A MEANS TO THIS END.+

HE ADDED THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT'S POLICY ON YOUTH CENTRES WAS EXAMINED ANNUALLY TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE.

WORKING PARTY UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAS JUST COMPLETED ITS REPORT ON THE FUTURE ROLE OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES AND HAS MADE POSITIVE RECOMMENDATIONS ON SERVICES, USE OF PREMISES, MEMBERSHIP AND STAFFING OF THESE CENTRES, WHICH ARE NOW BEING STUDIED, HE SAID.

/HE ALSO

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