ENG-2004 — Page 221

Education ❘ 183

(API) entitled 'Our Home, Our Country'. Featuring the close links between Hong Kong and the Mainland, this short video was the first ever API in Hong Kong which used the national anthem as the theme music.

The Committee continued to implement the Community Participation Scheme to encourage community organisations to organise civic education activities at the district level. To enhance the impact of the scheme the Committee decided to designate a topical theme for the scheme each year as from 2004, with 'Social Participation and Commitment' being the first.

Subsequent to a review of its role and functions and having regard to the latest community developments, the Committee strengthened its strategic planning and research work; devoted more attention to promoting positive civic values targeting young adults and the working population; as well as enhanced collaboration with district-based civic education committees, the education sectors, the media and professionals in its promotional efforts.

Commission on Youth

The main objectives of the Commission on Youth 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.

During the year, the Commission organised the fourth Youth Summit with the objective of exploring ways to enhance the participation of Hong Kong young people in the areas of education, media and constitutional development. The proposals that transpired from the Youth Summit were subsequently forwarded to the Commission, the Government, and other concerned parties for consideration. In response to a proposal made during the 2003 Youth Summit, the Commission decided to set up district-based Youth Forums comprising young people living and studying in the relevant districts. It seeks to provide a recognised platform for them to participate in public affairs through the process of deliberating on policy issues and conveying their views to the Government and the wider community.

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The Commission also published the report Youth in Hong Kong

A Statistical Profile 2003, which provided broad data and useful references on six youth-related issues: poverty, substance abuse, unemployment, human capital, cultural capital and social capital.

In 2004, the Commission continued to conduct the first-ever benchmarking survey of civic engagement and social networks of youth in Hong Kong. This would establish a baseline for future studies and surveys on this subject, and develop a set of useful indicators for evaluating youth services.

The Commission continued to implement youth development programmes that seek to realise the full potential of young people. These included the International Youth Exchange Programme aimed at broadening the horizons and international