ENG-2003 — Page 205

EDUCATION

A similar programme is offered to senior secondary students by the Junior Achievement Hong Kong (JAHK), another non-profit-making organisation. With the assistance of volunteers from the business sector, the JAHK organises sharing sessions, trade fairs and workshops to provide students with hands-on business. learning experience.

Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education

The Committee on Promotion of Civic Education was set up in 1986 for the purpose of advising on matters relating to promoting civic education, as well as implementing activities in conjunction with the Government and concerned parties in promoting civic education outside schools with a view to enhancing civic awareness and civic responsibility in all sectors of the community.

In 2003, the committee focused its efforts in promoting good citizenship, civic responsibilities, building a caring and harmonious society, family cohesiveness, volunteer services, respect for human rights and the rule of law, as well as better understanding of Chinese culture and heritage and the Basic Law.

The committee launched a series of television animation programmes and a website. to promote various civic education themes. Other promotional activities included telephone hotline stories, special features in newspapers and an interactive drama on the Basic Law. Civic education reference materials including newsletters for young school children, a comic series on civic education, a magazine produced by secondary students and a 2004 calendar on good citizenship were produced during the year.

In response to the SARS outbreak, the committee produced a number of Announcements in the Public Interest (APIs) to promote civic responsibility in maintaining community hygiene and published a book entitled You light up my life a record of SARS outbreak in Hong Kong to sustain the resilience, vigilance and unity shown by Hong Kong people in fighting the disease.

The committee continued to implement the Community Participation Scheme to encourage community organisations to arrange civic education activities at the district level.

In late 2003, the committee reviewed its role and functions, in conjunction with the Government, in the light of latest community developments. As a result, it decided to strengthen its strategic planning and research work; to focus more efforts in promoting civic responsibilities targeting young adults and the working population; to revamp the Community Participation Scheme; as well as to enhance collaboration with district-based civic education committees, the education sectors, the media and professionals in its promotional efforts.

Commission on Youth

The Commission on Youth was established in 1990. Its main objectives are to advise on matters pertaining to youth, initiate studies and research, promote cooperation. and improvement in the provision of youth services and serve as a focal point of contact with other international youth organisations regarding exchange programmes. The Government has been working closely with the commission in achieving these objectives.

Expressing concern about young people who were unemployed and unable to pursue further studies, the Chief Executive asked the commission in July 2002 to develop a plan to provide the young people with pluralistic options in terms of both

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