TNAG-1734-FCO40-2447-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 336

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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 11 May 1988

Changes of the times have added new meaning to civic awareness and responsibility. Young people will be our administrators of the future. Not only are they charged with maintaining Hong Kong's stability and prosperity, but they will also have to learn communication with China and to establish numerous relationships with China. Therefore, during the transition period, we should advocate China's economic and modern chinese history among youngsters and even history of the Chinese Communist Party as well as the chinese political institutions. We should not take sensitivity as an excuse to refrain from solving significant problems.

The contents of our youth policy is, of course, important, but what is more important is implementation of the policy and I would like to make two points in this connection.

First, the Government must provide a commitment of resources and support and endorsement of the youth policy.

Secondly, the youth policy must get participation by both non-government bodies and youths.

Sir, with these remarks, I support the motion.

MR. DESMOND LEE (in Cantonese): Sir, there is no perfect society on earth. Therefore, young people have to shoulder the responsibility of battering future society. That is why the development of youths is very important to a community. Hong Kong is facing the 1997 question and our youths have an especially important role to play here. Unfortunately, our young people are not doing too well as far as community involvement and political awareness are concerned. According to survey findings, 99 per cent of our young people never express any views to the Government while 85 per cent of them have never participated in any voluntary work. When it comes to matters that touch on their interests directly, like the Student Travel Subsidy Scheme, our young people can be quite responsive. Of course, I agree that the students did have the right to fight for that. On the aspect of only a handful of young people over 21 registered as voters and turn out to vote, I would think that in a materialistic society, heavy school work, a lack of youth leaders to guide young people towards community involvement are reasons contributing to our youths apathy. The education sector should review post-Form V and tertiary curriculum with a view to lightening school work and enriching the substance of education. At the same time, in training social workers and teachers, more attention should be paid to the shaping of youth leaders. The Government should consider lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 so that young people can be given civic rights earlier, and through the process of exercising them get trained and grow. In doing so, the civic mindedness of our young people can be reinforced.

Talking about community involvement and civic mindedness, I agree with what the report says about young people's knowing China and having a broad international outlook. Knowing China is more than just hearing others' views

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