ENG-2006 — Page 198

162 Education

entrepreneurship to students of their partner schools, and conducted trade fairs and workshops to provide students with hands-on business learning experience.

Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education

The Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education was set up to give advice on civic education and to implement activities, in conjunction with the Government and concerned parties, to promote civic education outside schools. In 2006, the committee focused on helping to create a harmonious Hong Kong. This meant promoting good citizenship, civic responsibilities, an integrated society, family unity, respect for human rights and the rule of law, and enhancing a sense of national identity and understanding of the Basic Law.

The committee ran a website to promote civic education themes. It also set up a telephone hotline for the general public to dial up to listen to stories about civic education. It also produced Announcement in the Public Interest (API) films for broadcast on television, held exhibitions to highlight the 'Harmony and Integration' theme and the Basic Law and handed out a wide range of teaching materials and publications on civic education.

During the year, the committee organised a symposium entitled 'Opportunities and Challenges in Promoting Civic Education in the 21st Century,' which was attended by experts from the Mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao. The Working Group on National Education comprising members from the committee and the Commission on Youth produced the third series of TV APIs on 'Chinese Heritage' which used the national anthem as the theme music. In addition, the committee commissioned a large-scale study on Hong Kong companies' corporate culture and values, their existing policies and practices, as well as on their understanding and awareness of corporate citizenship.

The committee organised the territory-wide Basic Law Drama Competition jointly with the Constitutional Affairs Bureau, Department of Justice and Education and Manpower Bureau, the slogan for which was 'Learn the Basic Law, Know your Rights and Duties'. This was complemented by a series of roving exhibitions and workshops held across Hong Kong.

It also continued to run the Community Participation Scheme to encourage community groups to organise civic education activities at district level. To create stronger impact, the scheme adopted a topical theme each year. The theme for 2006 was 'Harmony and Integration'.

Commission on Youth

The main task of the Commission on Youth is to give advice on matters concerning young people. It initiates studies about them, helps improve services provided for young people and serves as a point of contact for exchange programmes with international youth organisations. The Government works closely with the commission to achieve these objectives.

During the year, the commission organised the sixth Youth Summit to explore ways to enhance the development and commitment of Hong Kong young people in