XN000022-1993-04-25 — Page 3

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SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 1993

INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANISATIONS INTERESTED IN PROMOTING THE WELL- BEING OF YOUNG PEOPLE ARE WELCOME TO BECOME SUBSCRIBERS. COPIES OF THE CHARTER ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES.

THE COMMISSION ALSO DISCUSSED THE DETAILS OF THE FIRST SUBSCRIPTION CEREMONY SCHEDULED FOR JULY TO MARK THE FORMAL LAUNCHING OF THE CHARTER.

"SINCE THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY TAKEN THE LEAD TO BECOME A SUBSCRIBER, MEMBERS CONSIDER INVITING THE GOVERNOR TO ATTEND TIIE CEREMONY.

"WE WOULD ALSO SEEK YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN THE CEREMONY. ONE POSSIBILITY IS TO ARRANGE A DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND THE YOUNG PEOPLE," HE SAID.

A REVIEW OF THE ADOLESCENT SUICIDES IN 1991/92 PREPARED BY THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES WAS ALSO TABLED AT THE MEETING.

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MEMBERS NOTED THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE'S 11 RECOMMENDATIONS SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND APPRECIATED THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT'S EFFORT IN IMPLEMENTING THEM.

"NEVERTHELESS, MEMBERS STRONGLY FELT THAT GOOD CO-ORDINATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND NON-GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IS CRUCIAL IN TACKLING THE PROBLEM OF TEENAGE SUICIDES.

"IN THIS REGARD, THE COMMISSION WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH WOULD TAKE UP THE CO-ORDINATING ROLE AND WOULD CAREFULLY FORMULATE THE APPROACH TO TACKLE THIS SUBJECT TOGETHER WITH OTHER YOUTH MATTERS, MR LI SAID.

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REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH WOULD BE INVITED TO BRIEF MEMBERS ON ITS CO-ORDINATION WORK IN DUE COURSE.

MEMBERS ALSO ENDORSED TWO REPORTS ON THE SEMINARS ORGANISED BY THE COMMISSION.

THE SEMINAR ON TEENAGE SUICIDE HELD IN MARCH THIS YEAR FOCUSED ON THE POSITIVE ROLE OF THE MEDIA IN COUNTERING THE PROBLEM.

THE REPORT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE MEDIA CAN CONTRIBUTE A LOT IN CULTIVATING AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS LIFE.

VALUABLE ADVICES FROM THE MEDIA, PARENTS AND THE YOUTHS THEMSELVES HAVE BEEN SOLICITED DURING THE SEMINAR.

"THEY HELP PROVIDE A DEEPER AND WIDER PERSPECTIVE INTO THE PROBLEM," MR LI SAID.

ANOTHER REPORT ON THE INFLUENCE OF THE MASS MEDIA WHICH LISTED EIGHT RECOMMENDATIONS CAN ALSO SERVE AS A VERY USEFUL REFERENCE FOR YOUTH WORKERS AND POLICY MAKERS.

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