Discussing the youth services in U. K., I think our association stands to a very good standard. The aim of youth services in London and Hong Kong are exactly the same, that is to widen their interest, encourage recreation activities and to make available opportunities for them to mix up with society during leisure times. In London this is the responsibility of the Education Authorities. In Hong Kong this is the responsibility of the Social Welfare Department. In London as well as in Hong Kong where we have the white paper on social welfare, voluntary work always makes a valuable con- tribution. Although in United Kingdom professionalism is encouraged in the field of social work but the legislators and the members of the community place a very high esteem on the contribution of volunteers. They consider that with the assistance and co-operation of these voluntary workers, social work can easily cope and adjust readily with the need of the society. Historic reason indicates that youth work was started and developed by volunteers.
In United Kingdom, two-thirds of the youths under the age of twenty are members of some boys' and girls' clubs. 68 per cent of all youths have records of participation. In United Kingdom, the largest youth organi- sation is the Girl Guides with 800, 000 members. Boys Scouts, half a million. Organisations closely similar to our Association would be the National Association of Youth Clubs and National Association of Boys' Clubs, having a total member- ship of 570, 000, being roughly one per cent of the U. K. population. This Association is proud to have a paid membership of 20,000 members and serving membership of 200,000.
Liberalism in United Kingdom also applies to youth work. All qualified teachers are all qualified youth workers. All youth organisations are allowed to develop on their own. There is never any policy to make their activities uniform, and there is no policy to promote any kind of national youth movement.
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