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To pursue this policy, we place great importance on ensuring that people understand and uphold their civil and human rights and realise the responsibilities that these carry in a free and democratic society. This means explaining ideas of freedom, democracy, the rule of law and social justice and the role they fulfil in our social, political, economic and legal systeins both now and in the future.

The Government has never viewed civic education as a matter to be left solely in the hands of civil servants. Over the years we have been fortunate to have been able to work with many committed and knowledgeable people drawn from across the community. This year, in fact, marks the tenth anniversary of the setting up of the Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education. The Committee with its cross- section of academics, teachers, lawyers, professionals, community representatives and civil servants has proven to be an effective forum in which to debate and determine the objectives and scope of civic education. In spreading its message of civic awareness, the Committee has worked closely with district civic education committees and a wide range of community groups. Government departments participate fully in its activities.

Three themes dominate in our civic awareness programmes: the importance of the rule of law, participation in public affairs and respect for human rights. Each would merit a speech in its own right but to give a brief sketch:

we explain the concepts of the supremacy of law, the binding nature of the law, the importance of an independent judiciary free from executive interference, trial by jury and all the other attributes of the common law system as well as the Basic Law;

secondly, we emphasise that people have the right and opportunity, without discrimination and without unreasonable restrictions, to take part in the conduct of public affairs and to vote and be elected in democratically conducted elections;

lastly, we explain that human rights are to be enjoyed by all people; that the right to life, the right to liberty, the right to equality before the courts, the right to participate in public affairs and the right to freedom of expression are fundamental rights, not only of the strong, but also the weak and the vulnerable.

The Hon Lo Suk-ching has focused our minds today, through his motion, on the particular importance of promoting civic awareness among young people. It is a most important topic and one which has been on the Government's agenda for many years. In schools and through the work of the Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education and the Commission on Youth, we have strived to equip our young people with the attitudes, values, beliefs and commitment to shoulder the responsibilities of adulthood and citizenship in our society.