TNAG-1734-FCO40-2447-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 330

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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL -- 11 May 1988

up of people who are representative. This new advisory board should be able to give advice on existing conditions and the development of a youth policy in Hong Kong. Its recommendations and activities organised should be submitted to or reported to the commissioner for reference. At the same time, it should play a monitoring role in youth matters.

Sir, in co-ordinating youth services and setting up a youth council, the Government shows that it will further commit itself and take up the initiative in helping the young people in Hong Kong to develop properly. This is an actual need in such changing times.

However, we must take note of one point. We must show our young people the correct direction in forming a youth policy which suits the changing circumstances in Hong Kong. It is not an easy task at all. We must face an actual need and mend our existing system. For instance in Hong Kong, Chinese and English cultures are equal. However, the official languages are not given equal treatment. Consequently, we need to make fair adjustments regarding entrance qualifications for the universities and terms of employment in the Civil Service.

We must, in our society, establish fair and reasonable values so that everyone, particularly young people with aspirations, can realise their ideals through free competition. Only then can we hope to formulate and implement effectively a comprehensive youth policy. Consequently, our youth policy should first aim at the maintenance of the rule of law and freedoms. These are just principles. As for methodology, there are three main points:

First, there should be more constructive facilities and fewer leisure activities and games. We should strengthen practical education. In examinations, ethics and technical development should carry equal weight. Training and guidance should be given to young people to find their ideal careers. Selection should be by merit. These should be the first tasks of the youth policy.

Second, in helping young people to develop properly, practical work should take precedence over theorising. For instance, civic education done in the form of actual participation, organisation and committee elections, community service, are all good ways to develop a youth policy.

Three, model youth elections and youth activities sponsored by youth organisations should be promoted as a form of encouragement. The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, community services provided by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, the Comments and Current Affairs of the Hong Kong Federation of Students and their activities and outstanding elections sponsored by the Hong Kong Junior Chamber of Commerce, Lions Interna- tional are all examples worthy of note.

Sir, today was the tomorrow of yesterday and becomes the yesterday of tomorrow. Our young people today will be the future of Hong Kong. They inherit the past and lead to the future. We live in changing times and we need to

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