XN000022-1986-05-18 — Page 2

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SUNDAY, MAY 18, 1986

CONCERTED EFFORTS NEEDED TO COMBAT PORNOGRAPHY

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THE CONCERTED EFFORTS OF THE GOVERNMENT, COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS AND THE PUBLIC ARE ESSENTIAL TO ENSURE A BETTER ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO GROW PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY HEALTHY, THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHOW CHUN-FAI, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).

OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE DISTRICT'S HEALTHY LIFE CAMPAIGN, MR CHOW STRESSED THAT MORE EFFECTIVE POLICIES AND MEASURES WERE URGENTLY REQUIRED TO CURB THE PUBLICATION AND SALE OF PORNOGRAPHIC MAGAZINES.

MR CHOW CALLED FOR COMMUNITY LEADERS OF ALL DISTRICTS TO POOL THEIR RESOURCES TOGETHER TO HELP WORK OUT FEASIBLE AND PRACTICAL WAYS TO DETER THE PROLIFERATION OF SUCH PUBLICATIONS.

HE ALSO URGED RESIDENTS, LOCAL VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS AND SCHOOLS TO TAKE AN ACTIVE PART IN THE CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF SEX EDUCATION AND FAMILY LIFE.

THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD CARRIED OUT A STUDY OF PORNOGRAPHIC PUBLICATIONS LAST SUMMER AND FOUND THE READING OF SUCH MAGAZINES COMMON AMONG ADOLESCENTS.

AS FOLLOW-UP ACTION, THE BOARD LAUNCHED THE HEALTHY LIFE CAMPAIGN IN COLLABORATION WITH 33 LOCAL RELIGIOUS BODIES AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN THE DISTRICT.

THIS IS TO ARRANGE EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE HEALTHY GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTHS AND TO PROMOTE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AMONG FAMILY MEMBERS.

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR JACOB CHAN, SAID THE PROJECT WAS ORGANISED IN FOUR STAGES AND WOULD LAST UNTIL DECEMBER. THE STAGES WERE NAMED AFTER THE FOUR SEASONS IN A YEAR TO SYMBOLISE THE NATURAL GROWTH OF MAN FROM CHILDHOOD TO ADULTHOOD.

ACTIVITIES IN EACH STAGE WERE SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO CATER FOR THE NEEDS AND INTERESTS OF DIFFERENT TARGET GROUPS AND INCLUDED BOOK EXHIBITIONS, DRAWING SESSIONS, SPORTS, GAMES, SEMINARS AND VARIETY SHOWS, HE SAID.

THE ENTIRE PROJECT WOULD COST $60 000 WITH $47 000 CONTRIBUTED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD.

ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING WERE THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS BRENDA FUNG, REGIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER (WEST KOWLOON) MR ALEXANDER FUNG, AND THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MONG KOK CHRISTIAN CHURCHES, REV. DAVID CHU.

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