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Thanks
to Partners
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Magazines for HKCEE students -2006 會考攻略
Many thanks to Sing Tao
Daily for collaborating with the Federation's Form 5 Broadband 2777 1112 on the publication of 2006 會考攻略 . Two issues of the magazine are targeted at Form 5 students doing the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examinations (HKCEE) this year. They give useful information on how to revise more efficiently, how to reduce exam pressure and how to tackle examination questions. Thanks also to Sing
Tao Daily from the Youth S.P.O.Ts and our school social workers for free copies of the magazines which give update information on counselling HKCEE students.
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Tsueng Kwan O District
Forum on Poverty
The Federation's Felix Wong Youth
S.P.O.T. has sponsorship from the Sai Kung District
Council to organize the Tsueng Kwan O District Forum on Poverty with
the Working Group on Poverty Issues of the Sai Kung
District Council's Healthy City and Community Affairs Committee. The
Forum will take place on Saturday 25 February 2006 from 2:30p.m.
to 4:30p.m. at Yan Chai Hospital Lan Chi Pat Memorial Secondary
School. Findings of research on living conditions and the
needs of youths from low-income families living in Tsueng
Kwan O District will also be given. Strategies and approaches
to poverty prevention and alleviation will be discussed by
guests speakers, including Miss Choy How-yun, Constance,
Assistant District Officer, Sai Kung District Office, Mr
Cheung Yan-keung, School Development Officer (Sai Kung, 11),
Education and Manpower Bureau, Dr Wong Hung, Assistant Professor,
Department of Social Work, Chinese University of Hong Kong
and Mr Chau Yin-ming, Francis, MH, Vice Chairman of Sai Kung
District Council. Educators, social workers, parents and
the public are all invited to join us. Call 2706 2638. |
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My community My website : website design competition for secondary schools
Education.atnext.com is
organizing this completition and we are very happy
to join in as one of supporting organizations.
Secondary school students from F.3 upwards can take
part in groups of four, creating a website to describe
how they see their community, its development and special
features. The competition will be an outlet for creative
talent and will enhance skills and interest in computer
and Internet technology. Deadline for entries:
1 June 2006 . For more information: click
here
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Breaking
Down Barriers to Employment: in partnership with Sino
Land Co. Ltd
A generous donation
from Sino Land Co. Ltd will enable the Federation to implement
a Project called ‘Breaking Down Barriers to
Employment: Enhancing Opportunities for Deprived Young People
to Secure Jobs’, (「職場起動」青年就業計劃). It will help
young people aged 15 to 24 from low-income families, living
in outer districts,
to take a first step forward by offering them practical career
guidance and financial assistance. The launch will take place
at the Youth Career Expo Kick Off Ceremony scheduled for
16 March 2006 in Tuen Mun Town Plaza.
See
the article on unemployment in Facts and Figures, opposite,
for more details on the background problem. |
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Publications
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Parent
Education Programme publication "家長教育進修證書課程"
The School Social Work Unit published this book as part
of its Parent Education Programme, organized in 2002-03 by
the Federation and sponsored by the Education and Manpower
Bureau. It contains a summary of the programme with feedback
from parents and useful information for teachers on how to
organize training for parents at school
Contact
Ms Flora Mok to obtain copies
Tel: 23950161
Email: ycs@hkfyg.org.hk
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Dear
Readers, we would love to have your help
and know we can work together to improve youth services
in Hong Kong. Please click here for more details of how
to help:
www.hkfyg.org.hk/support/cash.htm |
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Spring is the best time to plan for the year ahead.
an old Chinese saying quoted by the Financial Secretary
The
budget: an issue of concern for all ages
Hong Kong is at last enjoying economic recovery. This is a good sign for celebration but is also a time for clear, analytical, forward planning for people of all ages. |
Our special concern is always the young, for whom future employment is vital. According to the latest statistics, unemployment in general is dropping but over 19% of 15-19 year-olds in the job market are out of work and figures for the summer, when school leavers first seek work, are considerably higher. Cuts in funding for pr ogrammes that support self-employment and vocational training would be very discouraging now, when the plight of under-qualified low achievers from low-income families is disquieting.
The Federation encourages youth to be aware of the economic situation in general and how it affects them in particular. This week's Feature Story is an interview with two students about their opinions on government expenditure in the context of financial planning and social policy issues. They will have an excellent opportunity to put their views across at next week's post-budget dialogue session for young people with the Financial Secretary.*
*The Dialogue Session will take place next week on Monday 27 February 6:00pm to 7:30pm at the Run Run Shaw Hall, Hong Kong Academy of Medicine in Aberdeen. Call 3579 4560 for further details.
Congratulations to our Partner Caring Companies and Organizations
The annual Caring Company Recognition Ceremony took place on 13 February in the Grand Hall of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. 65 of our partners were awarded the Caring Company or Caring Organization logo and we offer heartfelt thanks and congratulations to all of them. Click here for a complete list… |
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Feature
Story
Budget 2006: views of youth
On the eve of the budget speech we talked to two students, Vincent & Christy, about the financial issues coming under the microscope this week. Did they think enough is being spent on social welfare and education? How did they think the government might best increase its revenue to provide better services? And what did they think the future might hold for Hong Kong's economy? Here are some of their answers.
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| The crucial question was how to fill government coffers to pay for all these new or improved services. Vincent and Christy differed again.
“How about co-operative partnerships between ngo's* and the volunteer services, all heavily subsidized by the government. They could bring vital services to those most in need,” said Christy.
“I think we need a direct tax on all goods and services,” said Vincent. “Hongkongers are big shoppers. Now that the economy is recovering it's a good time to bring in a tax like that. People won't notice a small change in their bill because they feel richer.”
“I think there should be exemptions or lower GST rates for basic items like rice and vegetables. Everybody needs those,” said Christy, “and there should be a much higher tax on luxury goods, like wine and cigars that poor people can't even afford.”
Neither of the students was in favour of higher salaries tax, although they agreed that the tax base could be wider if basic allowances were smaller and graduated taxation rates were extended downwards for those in the lower income bracket.
“Middle class people are having to carry too much of a burden,” said Christy. “It could be spread more evenly if more people paid tax.”
Both thought personal budgeting was essential, but that the real problem lay in keeping to your plan, “ especially as the economy picks up, and we all feel better off, ” Christy pointed out. “Self discipline is the key, without it, you can't action your plan.”
Despite this cautious approach, she agreed that Hong Kong has a bright future, “… because Hong Kong people are peaceful, open-minded and willing to compromise.”
“Personally, I feel quite confident too,” said Vincent, “ but we need careful, long term planning. If I had the chance, I would ask the Financial Secretary how he plans to build general confidence and reduce unemployment, especially in case we are caught in another economic downturn.”
Christy, as usual, was thinking along different lines:
“I want to know what Mr Tang plans to do to narrow the income gap. With so many poor people in Hong Kong, child labour has become a fact of life again, especially for new arrivals and ethnic minorities.”
We were impressed by how well informed these two students were and by their eagerness to tackle old problems from new angles. This is what Hong Kong needs.
* non-governmental organizations |
Federation
News
Fundraising Gala Dinner: Four Seasons Hotel Friday 26 May 2006
The Federation is planning a fundraising Gala Dinner. Members of Hong Kong's elite and well known celebrities will perform for charity during the evening so this will be a night to remember, with its theme, ‘Back to the 60s'. Please download a reply slip here to see details. There are three forms of sponsorship. Choose any one or a combination. |
Youth Business Hong Kong: now inviting applications
The Federation's " Youth Business Hong Kong " programme is now inviting enrollment for the third batch of participants involved in business start-ups.
Deadline for applications: 15 March 2006
For further details, contact Louisa Lau
Tel 3113 7999, email ybhk@hkfyg.org.hk or visit www.u21.org.hk/ybhk |
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Facts
& Figures
New Territories youth: few jobs, low wages
A study on poverty has shown that young people who work in the New Territories are paid on average less than one third the salary expected by their equivalents on HK Island. Of nearly 900 interviewees aged 12-25, the majority say that they cannot leave their home districts to find work or to attend vocational training courses because of transport costs. This is despite the fact that they are equally well qualified as their counterparts on HK Island where the median wage in HK$9,500 compared to only HK$5,000 in Tin Shui Wai and just $3,000 in Sheung Shui.
Better town-planning policies would have improved
the situation but the lack of large enterprise employment, especially
in Yuen Long, Fan Ling and Tin Shui Wai, severely limits career
prospects. According to researchers, the answer is to develop tourism,
creative industries, catering and cultural facilities which will
provide a better chance for the young to find employment in future.
Over 65% of the 149 unemployed young people taking part in the
survey had been out of work for between 1 and 6 months during the
last 2 years. They had limited social networks to help them out
of their predicament, saying that fewer than five people in their
circle could be of any help in finding jobs. The HKFYG is helping
to solve this problem. See Thanks to partners, this issue, Breaking
down barriers to Employment
*South China Morning Post 30 December 2005, C1
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Childhood asthma from gas cookers
Approximately three times as many children aged 2-7 born in Hong Kong suffer attacks of wheeziness as do their Mainland counterparts according to a Chinese University survey conducted in 2003-2004.* The most likely cause is cooking smoke in badly ventilated flats, usually created by gas-fuelled stoves. 5% of all Hong Kong born children are diagnosed as asthmatics when under 6 years old – double the number of mainland born children. |
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Comparing local statistics with those from overseas reveals that regular exposure to gas cooking fumes containing nitrogen dioxide is a health concern in the US as well because over 50% of all households cook on gas. A large scale research study** of children with asthma showed that living in a multi-family home with a gas stove producing high levels of nitrogen dioxide was associated significantly with asthma symptoms in children, doubling the incidence of dyspnea and quadrupling the likelihood of shortness of breath.
* South China Morning Post 12 December 2005 C1
** American Journal of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine, February 2006 |
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Core
Service Highlight
Youth Employment Network
was set up in October 2002. It aims to establish a close connection with Government, private corporations, youth groups and international organizations to provide employment opportunities, job training and up-to-date job market information for young people. YEN has introduced the “Life Banking” concept to young people, helping them to plan their future career paths properly while providing relevant guidance and support.
YEN is dedicated to improving the employability of young people and arousing public interest and concern over youth employment issues. Large-scale job expos are organized and YEN advocates youth entrepreneurship and self-employment. In 2005, we introduced the "Youth Business Hong Kong" (YBHK) Programme to help young start-ups with expert mentorships and appropriate seed funds.
Click here to learn more: www.yen.org.hk and www.u21.org.hk/ybhk |
Contact
yen@hkfyg.org.hk |
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