a quarterly journal from the hongkong federation of youth groups
December 2014 September 2013
Volume 6 5 Number 3 4
Youth HONG
KONG
Hong Kong is home
by 羅潤龍
Hong Kong
OVERVIEW
September 2014 Volume 6 Number 3
Hong Kong is home
by 劉卓斌
Contents 6-11 INTERVIEWS
by 羅潤龍
Prof Joseph Sung Ms Yip Wing-sie Mr Antony Leung
12-19 PERSPECTIVES
by cth10 https://www.flickr.com/photos/9262 5526@N02/12691577973/
by 江建泰
TV presenter Psychology student Neuroscientist IT project manager Paralympic rower Writer
20-23 YOUTH SPEAK Neutrality, vision & balance Independence and determination Work, luck and location Freedom of speech Sense of identity
24-33
34-50 FEATURES Fitness and nutrition Pollution YouTubers
by Yun Huang Yong https://www.flickr. com/photos/goosmurf/5899151996/
YOUTH WATCH EDUCATION POST TALKING POINT
HKFYG
Cover image
Youth
4-5
by Ross Pollack https://www.flickr.com/ photos/rossap/8959143911
YOUTH HONG KONG published quarterly by The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups EDITORIAL BOARD Rosanna Wong Elaine Morgan (Editor) Ada Chau (Assistant Editor) Angela Ngai Lakshmi Jacotă William Chung Henry Poon CIRCULATION (unaudited) 11,000-12,000 in Hong Kong, throughout the region and overseas VIEWS EXPRESSED are the authors’ and interviewees, may come from official sources, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial board or publisher REPRODUCTION OF CONTENTS without written permission from the publisher is prohibited INTERVIEWS Elaine Morgan, Lakshmi Jacotă, Ada Chau PERSPECTIVES CONTRIBUTORS Ben Tse Elena Ng Mimi Mo Jessica Chan Ajmal Samuel Elaine Morgan SELECETD YOUTH SPEAK CONTRIBUTORS Lin Kristy, Ernest Chau Christy Chu Joy Pamnani Ivy Ho, Kevin Li Ho-lam, Gigi Chau Pansy Tam OTHER CONTRIBUTORS Virginia Addison Education Post Cathay Pacific Kate Yung Hilary Lok HKFYG unit staff TRANSLATION Henry Poon Ada Chau PHOTOGRAPHS Courtesy of HKFYG Very Hong Kong competition entrants, as captioned. Other photographs by Elaine Morgan, Ada Chau, acknowledged as captioned, or in public domain ARTWORK Sam Suen, DG3 DESIGN, LAYOUT & PRINTING DG3 Asia Ltd ISSN 2071-3193 WEB youthhongkong.hkfyg.org.hk CORRESPONDENCE to The Editor, Youth Hong Kong, 21/F, The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Building, 21 Pak Fuk Road, North Point, Hong Kong TEL 3755 7084, 3755 7108 FAX 3755 7155 EMAIL youthhongkong@hkfyg.org.hk ADVERTISING enquiries to Ada Chau 3755 7108 THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF YOUTH GROUPS was founded in 1960 and is one of the city’s largest non-profit youth organizations. Its programmes and activities at over 60 locations are attended by 5 million participants every year. CORE SERVICES Counselling, Creativity Education & Youth Exchange, Education, Employment, Leadership Training, Leisure, Cultural & Sports, M21 Multimedia, Parenting, Research & Publications, Youth at Risk, Volunteering, Youth SPOTs ADVERTISER Alliance Française MEDIA PARTNER Education Post
OVERVIEW 4 Hong Kong is home INTERVIEWS 6 Joseph Sung Vice-Chancellor, CUHK 8 Yip Wing-sie Hong Kong Sinfonietta 10 Antony Leung Nan Fung Group PERSPECTIVES 12 Ben Tse 13 Elena Ng 15 Mimi Mo 16 Jessica Chan 18 Ajmal Samuel 19 Elaine Morgan YOUTH SPEAK 20 Values shared, concerns aired YOUTH WATCH 24 Virginia Addison Having their say TALKING POINT 28 Education Post Reluctant return 30 Cathay Pacific 31 HKFYG surveys Thumbs up for Hong Kong CITY SPACE 34 Kate Yung Fit for life 36 William Wong Air pollution ART & CULTURE 38 Hilary Lok Lights, camera …me HKFYG 40 Hang Seng Bank Leaders to Leaders Lecture Series 42 Global Youth Entrepreneurship Forum 44 M21 Travel Mission 46 New books 47 Membership and Volunteering 48 School youth work 49 Ode to Joy mass musical event 50 Congratulations
September 2014 | Youth Hong Kong
by Andreas. https://www.flickr.com/photos/124330160/2561553502
Editorial
p Hong Kong’s floral emblem: Bauhinia blakeana
I
t is said that ‘home is where the heart is’. Not just the heart, but the passion, the concern, the commitment, even the worry to ensure that home is the place where we feel most comfortable, secure and happy.
Home is also the place where we choose to stay and where we choose to make our lives and livelihoods, committed to its prosperity, success and hopes. The idea of ‘home’ in the context of Hong Kong is what we are looking at in this issue. In the pages that follow, well-respected members of the community explain what keeps them here and what brings them back home again from abroad. Their appreciation is clear: they are proud of Hong Kong people’s spirit, solidarity, pragmatism and efficiency. The young people who write in this issue emphasize the fundamental importance of freedom of speech and expression, and the rule of law. They praise our hometown’s achievements and successes, linger over the icons of which they are fond, and say what troubles them most. All who have responded to our call for views have said with sincerity what they value about the place we all call home. Whatever its fate in the larger arenas of politics, economics and future development, their message is clear. We cherish Hong Kong and will meet the challenges to preserve it. Dr Rosanna Wong, DBE, JP Executive Director, HKFYG September 2014
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Youth Hong Kong | September 2014
Overview
by Ivan C https://www.flickr.com/photos/iswc/4282059106
Hong Kong pp The Old Supreme Court Building, home of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong from 1985 to 2011.
Seven million people call Hong Kong home. This is the place where they have their roots, their families and their friends. It is the place to which they have committed their talents and energies, and from where they have acquired their knowledge and experience. This is the place where their financial and material investments have been made. It is the place which gives them their identity and the place to which they remain steadfastly loyal. At this moment, Hong Kong is a home in the throes of all kinds of upset: political, social and economic. There is general disquiet about electoral autonomy and universal suffrage, governmental transparency, equality, housing prices, the environment, poverty, the state of the city’s competitiveness and the increasing number of high-profile cases of alleged corruption. The obviously negative headlines, coupled with thousands of people taking to the streets, airwaves and social media to express their discontent on one issue or another, paints a picture of a home in discord and disorder, where people are disappointed and divided. Yet history shows that the people of
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is home
Hong Kong are resilient in the face of change and challenge. Their hard work transformed what was once disparagingly called a “barren rock” into the global financial and business centre it is today.
Confidence boosted by the knowledge that fundamental values and rights, such as the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, human rights and civil liberties, remained… This evolution has been complex and unique: from colonial trade entrepôt to haven for fleeing refugees; from the “world’s factory” to a service economy; then to its status as a Special Administrative Region of mainland China. At all the milestones, it is the pragmatic and open response of its people, watching their home develop, that has ensured what has been, essentially smooth transitions.
September 2014 | Youth Hong Kong
Overview
by 梁瑋鑫
People’s confidence was boosted by the knowledge that fundamental values and rights, such as the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, human rights and civil liberties, remained, along with the core values of freedom of speech and freedom of expression, which were protected by both the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance. With this solid foundation in place, even the devastating Asian Financial Crisis of 1997-1998 and the Global Financial Crisis of 2008 could not deter Hong Kong’s spirit. It was at these points that the worldrenowned efficiency and resourcefulness of Hong Kong’s people came to the fore, their indomitable “can-do” spirit ensuring that in spite of critical economic downturns, the city bounced back. Ultimately, it is these emotional and psychological intangibles that make Hong Kong feel like home: the heart and passion of its people who are able to transcend challenges and obstacles, very often only with a strong and positive belief that the future will be better. There is probably no other episode in recent Hong Kong history that exemplifies this so clearly as the The people of Hong Kong have faced great challenges. outbreak of SARS in 2003. SARS battered the economy In 1956 and a decade later in 1966, there were urban and, according to the papers of the day, resulted in the loss of 13,000 jobs and the closure of 4,000 businesses.2 industrial riots against social inequalities, deplorable living standards and working conditions, as well as The World Health Organisation issued a travel advisory rampant official corruption. In 1967, the overtly antiagainst the city. It stayed in place for over one and a colonial riots, spurred by politics in China in the midst half months. For 104 days, Hong Kong was effectively of its Cultural Revolution, had the potential to rip closed to the world and was known as a “SARS infected” the city apart but that didn’t happen. In the following area. People pulled together, not only doctors and years, Hong Kong’s prosperity grew with free trade, low other health care professionals, but ordinary people taxation, and anti-corruption legislation. Improved social volunteered to help their neighbours. A genuine spirit welfare, education, healthcare and housing, along with of caring and concern highlighted Hong Kong’s strength excellent infrastructure and public transport, increased and cohesiveness, not a surprise to those who looked confidence as the city became more affluent and stable. beneath the superficial hustle and bustle of the city. Anxieties about the Sino-British Joint Declaration in 1984 and the events of June 4 1989 led some to emigrate. However, by 1994 it was estimated that 30% had already returned. Many were disappointed with life as emigrants. This feeling was “heightened by the sense of loss of the ‘good things’ they used to have or enjoy in Hong Kong.”
1. Lam, Lawrence in Skeldon, R. Reluctant Exiles. New York: ME Sharpe, 1994, p170. 2. South China Morning Post, 24 June 2003.
Now, Hong Kong is facing a political challenge, with the public mood charged to extremes. No one can predict the outcome of today’s discontent. But given the city’s history of confronting and facing difficulty, it is very hard not to be optimistic that in the long run the people want only what is best for themselves and the city of Hong Kong, their home.
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Youth Hong Kong | September 2014
Interview
A place of
opportunity I
n this meeting, Professor Joseph Sung privileged Youth Hong Kong with stories from his past and a tribute to the quality of life in Hong Kong. He focuses on efficiency and resilience, energy and team spirit. However, when he left in 1989 to do his doctorate in Canada, he looked out of the plane window and believed he would not be coming back. Hong Kong is, first and foremost, a place of opportunity. With outstanding public facilities, including education, medicine and transport, it really is a convenient city in which to live. These factors result, according to Professor Joseph Sung, eminent doctor, Vice-Chancellor and President of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, in a place where things get done. A fast-paced city, where one can achieve more, with a “can-do” spirit that enables work to be done efficiently and effectively. After going to Canada to do his PhD for three years, Professor Sung found himself returning to Hong Kong in 1992 at a time when hospitals were closing due to Canada’s economic recession. When offered a lecturer’s job in Hong Kong, he says he was both excited and a bit apprehensive. “I had got used to a slower pace of life by then, but I realized that working here, I could get about three times as much done as in Canada. It was because of the energy of people, eager to just say ‘Let’s do it’ rather than worrying about red tape.”
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Professor JY Sung, SBS, JP, is Vice-Chancellor and President of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and concurrently the Mok Hing Yiu Professor of Medicine of CUHK. He completed his MB BS at The University of Hong Kong in 1983, was conferred a PhD in biomedical sciences by the University of Calgary in 1992 and a MD by CUHK in 1997. He was named “Asian Hero” by Time magazine in recognition of his work during the SARS epidemic of 2003.
September 2014 | Youth Hong Kong
Interview
Professor Sung found himself not only able to continue with academic research – resulting in international acclaim for him and his team – but also having the time to practise pioneering work in gastroenterology. Then, in 2003, the SARS crisis hit. It was a turning point for Professor Sung, who remembers it as a time that epitomized the very best of Hong Kong values. “With huge challenges to face, it was the Hong Kong team spirit that pulled us through. Everyone was part of a larger family, patients especially, as the doctors did everything they could, heart and soul, night and day, for them. Colleagues came down with fever and one almost died. Those were dark moments.” Yet what stands out as most poignant and rewarding, according to Professor Sung, was the unprecedented solidarity in Hong Kong. “We received unbelievable support from the public. Calls, emails, cards, hundreds of children’s drawings, and even free desserts. They were brought to us by a nearby restaurant every day, carried by messengers endangering their own lives by coming to the hospital. Those were certainly were the best of times and the worst of times.”
by vjmedia http://www.vjmedia.com.hk/wpcontent/uploads/2014/04/a5-1.jpg
For Professor Sung, the SARS epidemic encapsulates the essence of what Hong Kong is: a place that can bring people together to cope with challenges. At this time, proud of what could be achieved, he suddenly realized that, “it could all vanish with a snap of the fingers. I began looking more at what I could do for others
instead of what I could achieve for myself. I saw that what matters most is humanity, family and friends.”
Clear vision and no regrets Today, things have changed. On hearing of the discontentment among some university students, he says it is “out of proportion. We need to strike a balance. Maybe one needs to leave Hong Kong in order to see it more clearly, to see how blessed we are, and to be grateful instead of focusing on grievances.” Hong Kong is home for Professor Sung, and whatever situation the city faces, he argues that it is the people who can make it work. As Vice-Chancellor, he devotes an increasing amount of time to young people, teaching and mentoring. “Hong Kong is a very materialistic place, and there has been a change in attitude towards competitiveness. I hear young people today say they want to lead a simple life. I tell them I hope they will have no regrets in their lives. Living a simple and honourable life, doing something for others, building a society… these are the beliefs to hold on to. Only then can one have no regrets.” 沈祖堯教授認為，香港充滿機會、公共設施優良 ； 港人效 率高、應變力強，做事有幹勁。 2003年醫護人員和全體市 民團結一致，戰勝「沙士」疫潮，正是香港精神的表現。他 勸勉大學生勿事事抱怨，應多去欣賞香港的優點，多些感 恩，並改變崇尚物質的態度。
by China-mike http://www.china-mike.com/wp-content/ uploads/2011/02/5-hongkong-sars-2003.jpg
Team spirit in dark moments
Note
An outbreak of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), a viral respiratory disease, ocurred between November 2002 and July 2003. It caused 8,273 cases and 775 deaths were reported with the majority of cases in Hong Kong. Amoy Gardens (pictured left) was the site of a massive outbreak.
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Youth Hong Kong | September 2014
Interview
Contributing with quality
M
s Yip Wing-sie has directed world-class performances by the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, one of the city’s home-grown orchestras, since 2002. Rightly proud of the changes she has been part of on the Hong Kong arts scene, she is also grateful for the public support that enables talented musicians like her to shine.
A Hong Kong girl at heart, Yip Wing-sie’s parents came here from Guangzhou in the early 60s when she was just one year old. Life was not easy. They lived in a small room in Kowloon City and her mother gave piano lessons to support the family. Growing up was like it was for thousands of other children. “We didn’t feel like immigrants and I went to ordinary schools,” she says. The difference was talent. In the late 70s, a Hong Kong Jockey Club scholarship took her to study in London. “This exposed me to the real world of music,” but Hong Kong always remained her home.
I really appreciated the openness of Hong Kong people to me as a female conductor. “I remember flying back in those days. Every time the airplane approached Kai Tak runway I was so excited. I have never analysed it before but I realize now it was because I was coming home.” The city had a hold on her, as it does on many people who have been away and returned. It was not going to let go. Five years later she was still abroad, studying in the US with famous conductors like Leonard Bernstein. “We saw the glamour of the mainstream classical music world and all my fellow students focused on getting to the top. Then came my first job offer, in Hong Kong.”
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It was difficult for conductors to find work anywhere, let alone female conductors, so she came home to work as resident conductor of the city’s only classical orchestra, the Hong Kong Philharmonic. “I knew it meant giving up the mainstream but I knew I would be contributing to the place that had shaped me. I also really appreciated the openness of Hong Kong people to me as a female conductor. I think there was less prejudice here. Maybe it was also because we did not have a strong tradition of classical music then.” Much has happened on the arts scene since. Although everyone overseas knew about Hong Kong, their concept of the arts world was very vague, says Ms Yip. “Now when I’m abroad on tour I say with pride and confidence, ‘Please come to Hong Kong. There’s a lot going on. It’s no longer the cultural desert people used to say it was!’” The Passage Beyond in Concert is a new departure. Set in Hong Kong and composed, choreographed, acted and sung by home-grown music and drama talents, it opens next month with full orchestral accompaniment by the Hong Kong Sinfonietta. 2-5 October 2014 at the HK City Hall Concert Hall Tickets from URBTIX. Full details of the Hong Kong Sinfonietta 2014/2015 programme at www.HKSL.org
September 2014 | Youth Hong Kong
Interview
No doubt, a lot is happening, and the more you look, the more you find. The arts are no longer considered the preserve of an elite and people like Ms Yip can take much of the credit. “Support from the government and the education system have got us this far. Parents, too, play a part.” A thriving economy has meant greater affluence so children learn how to play instruments and come to our concerts. Not only this, she continues, “We can now put on concerts and shows featuring mainly home-grown artists and be confident that they will attract good audiences.” Behind it all has been the Hong Kong spirit, says Ms Yip. “Everything moves at an incredible pace. Nowhere else in the world do things get done so quickly, so efficiently and - most of the time - so well.” But there are drawbacks for a professional musician. It’s too noisy and the pace is the real challenge. “Artists need time to think, space to day-dream, and peace to develop thoughts. That means being very disciplined and finding a way to escape. For me, it’s golf, in the beautiful natural surroundings of Discovery Bay or Kau Sai Chau near Sai Kung. It takes my mind off everything.” Hong Kong people have worked very hard to make things happen here although very few were rich and life was harsh. “If we can keep up that kind of spirit we can continue growing instead of becoming
increasingly self-centred.” With today’s polarization she sees a risk of equating fighting for human rights with demanding a right to break the rules. “We have much to be grateful for and I want to give back to my home town and its people in return for what they have given me. I want to preserve its best qualities, nourish its innovative brains and encourage its talented performers. I remind my audiences, the special something they take home after a live Hong Kong concert is a unique encounter that could happen nowhere but here.” 香港小交響樂團指揮葉詠詩女士從小就在香港長大。葉女士 認為香港的效率，可謂世界一流。她又指港人對新事物的接 納程度高，但急速的生活步伐引致缺乏思考空間，這對藝術 家會帶來一定影響。葉女士對香港未來發展充滿信心。她亦 希望回饋社會，培育更多富創意的人才。
Ms Yip Wing-sie is Hong Kong’s best known professional female conductor. Under her baton, the Hong Kong Sinfonietta has gone from strength to strength. It now offers a popular programme for home audiences of all ages and has represented Hong Kong on 18 tours abroad.
Photos courtesy of the Hong Kong Sinfonietta.
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Youth Hong Kong | September 2014
Interview
Diversity, rationality and identity
I
n this personal interview, Mr Antony Leung, CEO of the Nan Fung Group and Hong Kong’s former Financial Secretary, talks about what he values and says he would never consider leaving Hong Kong. It’s home.
“Friends and others have asked me if I would consider emigrating. My answer is simple. Why would I? Hong Kong is my home.”
by 江建泰
For someone who has attained the highest levels of leadership and success, in both the private and public sectors, getting a well-paid job anywhere in the world would not be difficult. That Antony Leung chooses to remain in Hong Kong demonstrates that he is not just sloganeering. Instead, his words are borne of his strong Chinese identity, coupled with his confidence in Hong Kong’s strengths and his firm belief that as someone who has benefitted from the system, he has the responsibility to give back to it.
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“My parents came to Hong Kong from southern China just before 1949. The war years were difficult but I believe this played a large part in the sense of pride my parents instilled in me, of who I was and where I had come from. We were a poor family but by getting good grades, I was able to go to the University of Hong Kong. It showed me that this was a place where possibilities existed if one worked hard.”
September 2014 | Youth Hong Kong
Maintaining core values As Mr Leung sees it, Hong Kong’s core values are, first and foremost, the rule of law and the freedoms the city enjoys. “People’s rationality, their perseverance and can-do attitude, their generosity and diversity, have enabled Hong Kong to be both a Chinese and a global city.” This makes Hong Kong unique in his eyes and a place of which he is very proud. “I have a warm feeling about Hong Kong and when I think of God’s kindness to me and how I have been blessed, I feel compelled to see what I can do for the community.” As he explains, his choice of subject at university was based on the desire to do something for others. “Maybe I misinterpreted the Chinese translation of the word ‘economics’「經國濟民」which was my chosen subject at university. But I understood it to mean, in its broadest sense, ‘to manage the country, to benefit the people’. And that is what I wanted to do. My first job at Citibank was meant to be a pragmatic step towards securing the necessary resources to do a Master’s degree in the hope that I would become an academic. Then I found that the practical experience I was gaining had value and I set aside my academic career.”
by Dimitry B https://www.flickr.com/photos/ru_boff/7759888818
Interview
Coming back was clearly more than wanting to be present at a historic moment. “I was already involved in public service, but the events of 1997 made me think that I could make a bigger contribution to both Hong Kong and China and play a small role in ensuring that we would retain our global competitiveness. I was able to do this as a member of the Executive Council and later as Financial Secretary.”
Putting home before job
What about today? Mr Leung, now in the business sector, continues to have faith in the city. “We are in the midst of a great deal of pointed political debate. However, both in and out of government, I have seen how the community comes together at moments of challenge and uncertainty.”
Involved in community work as a student, Mr Leung’s commitment to Hong Kong was clearly demonstrated in 1996. On the path to one of the highest positions at Citibank, he gave up his career to return home. “I saw Hong Kong facing the anxieties of 1997 and I really wanted to be here. There was no position for me at Citibank in Hong Kong, so I had to make a choice. I chose my home over my job.”
In 1989 with the events of Tiananmen Square, in 2003 with the SARS epidemic, and at the annual march on July 1st, Mr Leung says he sees positive expressions of people who care for their home. “Today, we are seeing the differences rather than the similarities, but I don’t think we have reached a critical point.” If people were to realize that Hong Kong was losing its competitive edge and slipping behind, they would pull together again.
Mr Antony Leung has held senior positions in several major international banks and is currently the CEO of the Nan Fung Group, a large property development company. A former Financial Secretary and a member of the HKSAR Government’s Executive Council, he was also a Member of the Exchange Fund Advisory Committee, a Board Member of the Hong Kong Airport Authority and Director of the Hong Kong Futures Exchange, as well as Chairman of both the Education Commission and the University Grants Committee.
“I have great faith in Hong Kong, in its people, and in the principle of One Country Two Systems. This is our home and we know that our can-do attitude, and our cosmopolitan, open-minded society is what makes us special. We are still marching forward and young people should not despair at such times as these.” 梁錦松先生事業成就卓越，且選擇留港服務。他心繫國家， 在香港成長，矢志回饋社會。他認為，法治、自由、刻苦 幹勁、多元包容與理性態度，造就香港特別的優勢。他又 指，過去面對危機，港人都能團結一致，克服困難 ； 面對 挑戰，青年人亦不應灰心。
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Youth Hong Kong | September 2014
Perspectives
Choice, change and commitment The writers in this section have lived through changing times in Hong Kong. Now in their 20s, 30s and 40s, they look back on what Hong Kong has given them, and what it promises for the future.
Getting inspiration
by Ben Tse
Hardship but acceptance, and a better life Hong Kong has a special place in my heart. I was born here, went to an international school until I was a teenager, and eventually moved abroad to further my studies and live. However, there was always something magical about Hong Kong that made me want to come back, so I moved back in 2001. I have been here ever since. I remember how fascinating everything was then. I used to think I understood local Hong Kong culture; but it wasn’t until I started working here and really getting to know more people that I realized how far removed I was from my old international school culture. I found the local environment very accepting even when people jokingly, but affectionately, called me a “gwai jai” (Western boy).
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One source of Hong Kong inspiration for me is my wife, a Shek Kip Mei girl. Like many others from that generation, her father swam down to Hong Kong illegally from the mainland in search of a better life, and her mother grew up in the original Shek Kip Mei public housing settlements built after the 1953 fire. The hardships that the previous generation had to endure (and that many still endure now, perhaps in different ways) helped Hong Kong become what it is today. They are truly an inspiration. I have been an active part of the underground indie music scene for many years. One thing that has struck me about Hong Kong is how open-minded people are towards all kinds of music and art, and how accommodating and accepting they can be. I don’t think I have ever seen the audience boo someone off stage, laugh at or heckle them. There also isn’t a sense of elitism or snobbery when it comes to art and music. There seems to be a genuine appreciation for all genres.
All photos in this section courtesy of authors unless captioned.
September 2014 | Youth Hong Kong
Perspectives
Dig a little deeper There are some who say that Hong Kong culture is superficial and people don’t appreciate art, but you’ll be surprised just how much goes on in this city, and how many folks are actually interested when given the opportunity to take part. At work, I have seen how much goes on in this city – you just need to dig a little deeper and know where to look.
從國際學校畢業後，Ben曾經在外國生活，但香港擁有一股 神奇力量吸引他回流。他認為香港人對音樂及藝術的態度十 分開放，包容力亦很強。他平日最愛在獅子山看日落。
Ben Tse, a TV presenter with RTHK, is in his mid-30s.
I think Hong Kong has changed a lot in these past 13 years, for the better, and for the worse, but ultimately I still find a lot of inspiration in this city. My ultimate source of inspiration these days is sitting on the top of Lion Rock, looking over the beautiful Kowloon Peninsula with Hong Kong Island in the distance as the sun slowly sets to the west. On a clear evening, I cannot think of any place more beautiful.
He recently founded the indie band Oh! Nullah. www.facebook. com/ohnullah
Greener grass
by Elena Ng
T
It’s not hard to imagine having my own little American house, sitting out on the porch, admiring the view, with a cup of tea at 6 o’clock after work. No noise. No pressure… Pleasures like this are hard to find in Hong Kong and my positive experience of being an exchange student in the US showed me how many opportunities there are overseas. In fact, if I was offered a good job package in a pollution-free environment I think I might prefer the simple life. I like the idea of a simple life: money is important but it cannot give you happiness.
By Mark Strozier https://www.flickr.com/photos/r80o/15361004
hinking about work overseas instead of life in Hong Kong, this writer muses on the attractions of more open space and cleaner air. But she is ambivalent, and knows how difficult it would be to leave home
Cont'd on page 14
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Youth Hong Kong | September 2014
Freedom at a price
Like a box of chocolates
Hong Kong people face so much pressure, sometimes forced on them by society and sometimes because they add stress to their lives. Given the option I would not choose it. But leaving all that behind would mean leaving my family and friends, living alone and taking care of myself. Even moving around, getting from the airport, getting to work. It wouldn’t be like Hong Kong, famous for its public transport. I couldn’t expect that in a big country like the US, even if there were the freedom of the open road to be enjoyed … once I had a driving licence.
Looking back, to be honest, I missed Hong Kong when I was away. Mostly, I missed my family and my friends. I missed knowing my way round and knowing that I could get home safely at 11.30 at night. I missed many things I barely thought of before, like knowing where to shop, find bargains, eat a bowl of cheap and tasty noodles. Many of these would be a problem in the US, especially if I had to handle them alone.
by Dave Gunn http://www.flickr.com/photos/shelly_dave/667501158/
The crime rate there worries me too. I don’t think it would be as safe as Hong KongAnd I wonder if I would fit in. Would the local people want incomers as employees? I also ask myself about speaking their language. Not just formal, business English, but colloquial, American English. The real living language everyone speaks. Without it there is so much more likelihood of misunderstanding.
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What about other cultural differences? Foreigners working overseas need to adjust not only to a new country and a new job, but also a whole new cultural and work environment. That means not only flexibility but strength of character.
Sometimes, you can make your own choices in life but they do say life is like a box of chocolates, and you never know which one we will get.* Given a chance to choose one, which would you pick?
Elena曾經在美國當交流生，她認為當地的生活壓力較香港 少 ； 然而，香港也有其可取之處，讓她選擇留下。例如家 人、朋友、良好的治安、方便的公共交通等。她認為每人都 應該為自己的生活作出選擇，亦應明白當中帶來的影響。
Elena Ng, a final year student, is majoring in psychology at the University of Hong Kong.
by Eric Fischer https://www.flickr.com/photos/walkingsf/6238509140
Perspectives
September 2014 | Youth Hong Kong
Room to flourish
T
by Aram Kudurshian https://www.flickr.com/photos/aramk/6534634859/in/photostream/
Perspectives
by Mimi Mo
he writer left Hong Kong to study in the UK before working there. She too appreciates Hong Kong’s best qualities and is making the most of the opportunities it offers.
It was a calm night when I arrived in Hong Kong on the evening of October 8, 2008. The feeling of being back in the place where I grew up was familiar yet distant, especially when I was “living the dream” in Boston one month prior, working on the implementation of a micro-nutrient programme for children in rural Tanzania. I was surrounded by experts from Harvard, the Clinton Foundation, as well as high-flying business partners. Still, with one suitcase in tow, I went on my way to my temporary apartment in Mid-Levels. Big city glamour sparkled before my eyes, but the grim reality was - real estate agencies had slashes of red marker pen that suggested property prices had already dropped by 20-30% - I was at the epicentre of the financial crisis.
Hard work and passion for learning It may seem like a cliché if I point out Hong Kong’s resilience. But when I look back at the 11 years I have lived in London, Oxford, Cambridge and Boston, I dare not take resilience for granted. One could argue that an elite education accelerated my career progression, allowing me to work across industries and geographical locations. However, ultimately, I learnt that hard work and passion for learning pay off in Hong Kong, where people are both book-smart and street-smart. My mentors and friends inspire me to take the road less travelled, they help me through obstacles, and share my joy.
I could have continued along my path as a consultant in the West, but I traded comfort for new experiences. As a result, I had rejections from Hong Kong employers back then, saying, “We love you, and in better times we would have hired you on the spot, but….” Fortunately, it only lasted a month. It was on my birthday in November that I was offered a post managing a business development portfolio in non-invasive pre-natal diagnosis at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Responsibility for making a difference Privileges, if anything, give people a sense of responsibility to make a difference. Between 2011 and 2013, I took up the role of University Development Manager at the Oxford Hong Kong Office. In the morning, I could be organizing a fundraising event with the Chancellor of the University of Oxford, Lord Chris Patten.
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Youth Hong Kong | September 2014
Perspectives
In the afternoon, I might have been realizing a young person’s dream to go abroad. I met donors who did not just have the heart to do good, but had the pragmatic mind-set to make charitable work sustainable through good business practice. Where else in the world would you find such close-knit social circles and the upward mobility that Hong Kong offers? There are countless things I could list that represent the uniqueness of Hong Kong: how it allows talented people to flourish is certainly one example. But to quote President John F. Kennedy, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” There are no “That’s easy for you to say…” excuses. We can all contribute to the reasons why Hong Kong is so special.
Open doors
I by mark notari https://www.flickr.com/photos/notarim/8205467323
n the past five years, Hongkongers with more than US$1 million in investable assets grew by 27% annually. This is by far the fastest growth in the world. A good sign for young entrepreneurs-to-be like this writer.
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Mimi在英國完成學業並曾在當地工作，她欣賞香港能為青年 提供機會，並希望自己可以好好把握。最後，她希望青年除 了享受香港帶來的機遇，更能學懂回饋社會。
Dr Mimi Mo went to St Paul’s Co-educational College in Hong Kong and did biochemistry at Imperial College London before a doctorate in neuroscience at Oxford. She currently works for GlaxoSmithKline and is a columnist for the Hong Kong Economic Journal.
by Jessica Chan
September 2014 | Youth Hong Kong
Perspectives
For me, a locally-born and brought up young person who wants to be an entrepreneur, the fact that the number of Hong Kong’s millionaires has doubled in the last five years is very encouraging. It shows what great opportunities are available here at home. Whatever your business product, the market is growing and has higher spending and investing power than ever. It is an ideal time and place for youth to explore their potential. Doors of opportunity are open for them to realize their dreams and join the “circle” of wealth growth. Through entrepreneurship, supported by government schemes, one can transform dreams into successful business ventures. There are well-known local programmes to help, such as those at the Cyberport Entrepreneurship Centre and at HKFYG's Youth Business Hong Kong. In a broader sense, my generation, growing up to be citizens of the world, can and should create dream careers, careers that induce change, in and across cities and continents.
for this. The close proximity of family and friends, and an excellent public transport network mean that one can seize precious moments to spend with them, especially to take good care of seniors who have nurtured us. All the right elements are in place here and so I think it is time for me to start up in business myself. I think I will also be able to relax and enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and windsurfing in Hong Kong. The size of the city, its natural environment and the close proximity of country parks and the sea mean there can be a seamless blend of personal priorities and the entrepreneur lifestyle. Only a place like Hong Kong could give me all of this.
Elements of advantage This is possible largely thanks to communications technology and social networks, available 24/ 7. Hong Kong’s telecommunications rank with the top tier in the world, with mobile and data networks available in trains, and wifi hotspots even on buses. Combined with our advantageous time zone, these mean we can conduct round-the-clock business, bridging Asia, the US and Europe. From a risk management angle, entrepreneurship in Hong Kong is a life-long sustainable option. It facilitates long-term strategies, even for postretirement years when we will all need a “sustainable passive income.” As an entrepreneur, I will be able to establish a system which will yield such an income when my business matures. This concept will be based on a culture of established team enterprise. For entrepreneurship to work in the personal sphere, it must be possible for individuals to strike a work-life balance and that requires the flexibility to set your own work schedule and location. Again, Hong Kong allows
Jessica Chan is an Information Technology Project Manager for a large financial corporation. She completed her Bachelor of Science at the University of Hong Kong in 1999. Jessica指出，香港的百萬富翁在過去5年增加了一倍， 顯示香港能為青年創業家提供機遇。同時，香港的基建 與資訊科技設施優良，有助市民在工作拼搏之餘，得以 照顧家人並與友好互相聯繫。故此，她認為香港是她發 展自己事業的最理想地方。
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Youth Hong Kong | September 2014
Perspectives
Here for good
by Ajmal Samuel
B
orn in Pakistan in 1965, an accident in his 20s left the writer a paraplegic. His subsequent life journey brought him to Hong Kong, where business success was followed by sporting success. The next steps took him to the Hong Kong paralympic rowing team.
You can feel the energy and life of this city the moment you touch down here. I think that is what got me back on my feet psychologically. I arrived from Europe in 1991 where I graduated from The University of Dusseldorf and, even early on, I decided to make Hong Kong my home. It was so easy to get around, life could be spontaneous. I had mobility and freedom again.
A new lease of life Everything here moves so fast and that has helped me focus on life instead of disability. I really feel I can lead a normal life here though I can’t say life has been straightforward. In fact, I have been riding a roller-coaster. Hong Kong is challenging. It was very tough in the beginning and looking back, I know how important the people looking after me and mentoring me were, always accessible at the end of a phone line.
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Another quality of this city is its flexibility. It allows one to re-invent oneself, just like Hong Kong. So I have changed with it, getting my first job after my military career in Pakistan in the technology sector. Then I started my own business, grasping the opportunities Hong Kong gave me so generously. In a place like this you can regain self-confidence, and it was the same with sport. Getting fit enough to do triathlons and marathons gave me a new lease of life. And then came the rowing. I can’t imagine any other place where it could happen like this. I joined a dragon boat team, already very strong in my upper body. Then the trainer asked me if I had tried single scull rowing. Soon afterwards I was spotted training on the Shing Mun River, and the national coach asked me to join the national squad. If I’d ever had any doubts, they evaporated at that moment.
p Author rowing for the Hong Kong team
September 2014 | Youth Hong Kong
Perspectives
Hong Kong has always been good to me and when I joined the squad my fate was sealed. I had applied for an HKSAR passport a little before that. As a businessman I knew it would build my network like nothing else could. But the squad needed me to be Chinese and that did it. Now I have lived in Hong Kong longer than anywhere else in the world. Now I know I am here for good. This is where I belong.
Passport for the Olympics Attitudes have changed a lot. When I was in Hangzhou for the China national rowing championships this summer, I had to convince my fellow competitors from other provinces that this foreign looking fellow was really Chinese, just like them. They looked at me in disbelief, but my team mates backed me up. “He’s Cantonese! Just like us,” they said. And when I come back through Immigration, even though I’m not fluent in Cantonese, I’m addressed by my Chinese name ( 施傑浩 ) at the border. The officials say with a smile, “Welcome back!”
Flying back after a business trip it’s wonderful to see the outlying islands spread beneath me and I relish in the prospect of training there, so close to my work in the glittering city nearby. The moment the plane touches down I know I can relax again. I’m on safe ground. I’m home.
Ajmal Samuel, now in his 40s, is former President of Cityline (HK) Ltd, founder and CEO of OCTO3, a financial technology service provider. He will be representing Hong Kong as a rower at the Incheon 2014 Asian Para Games in October 2014. 在巴基斯坦出生的 Ajmal，因為一次意外而需要與輪椅為 伴。作為香港傷殘划艇代表的他，最終選擇在香港經商。他 認為香港這個城市充滿活力，急速的生活節奏更有助他活在 當下，專注於生活而非個人的殘障。他認為香港是他的家， 並且取了個中文名字「施傑浩」。
East, west, home's best
by Elaine Morgan
I
’ve been a Hongkonger for 40 years. It’s where I now belong. Most mornings I walk to HKFYG. In the first half hour, I climb from the dense tower blocks of old Tai Hang up to wild hills, lush greenery and peace. Often, the only sounds are water gushing in streams, birdsong and wind in the trees. How lucky we are to have such places. Then down, past the rhythmic swish of the Chinese fan dancers and the chatter of schoolgirls, into the urban jungle of buses, trams and jack hammers. There, big city bustle and haste are balanced by continuity, friends and colleagues. Noise and dirt come with buzz and variety. Jostle and hustle are side by side with patience and pragmatism. Today’s doubts about the future come with yearning for change. I admire those who have the courage of their convictions and stand up for their rights. Hong Kong people, aware of their identity, expect self-determination, and make sure the world knows it. This is a city that welcomes difference and deserves integrity. There is nowhere else like it. It’s home. p View from the country park to North Point, HKFYG Building and harbour
筆者在香港生活已超過四十年。她享受香 港的一切，包括城市景觀、多元文化、食 物及天氣等。每天從家中繞過山路走20分 鐘上班，她認為能在石屎森林中穿過綠油 油的山坡，是她眼中香港最佳特色之一。
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Youth Hong Kong | September 2014
Youth speak
Values shared concerns aired
Y
oung people of all ages have told us what they value most in Hong Kong, what qualities they most admire in its people, and what concerns them most. A representative group write here about the essential culture of the place where they live.
Neutrality, vision and balance “Politically, because Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region, its citizens can enjoy many freedoms, its Legislative Council has a strong voice and its government respects human rights. Everybody has a say, and decisions can be made which balance the interests of various stakeholders. Culturally, Hong Kong is like a bottle of aged yet refreshing wine. It is a balanced blend, conserving Chinese traditions while being open to new cultures from other countries. Economically, Hong Kong is outstanding. It is the world’s freest economy, government intervention is slight, and the minimum wage now protects workers’ rights. Lin Kristy, 16 Belilios Public School
“Our home city is spoken of as a hybrid of western and eastern cultures but little attention is paid to international issues. Instead, young people here look inwards, to grades, assignments and tutorials. The ‘mainland issue’ is the elephant in the room for many Hong Kong people and I think as a result they lack global vision, especially teenagers. By looking outwards more they could break out of the ‘box’ that is hemming them in, hiding the treasure beyond our borders, and blurring our image as the Pearl of the Orient.”
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Ernest Chau, 19 Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
anonymous student by Stanley Lau Tsz Yeung
by 馮煒珊
Perfection is rarely achieved in any human society but by preserving neutrality we can minimize our shortcomings and maintain a rare and precious balance.”
September 2014 | Youth Hong Kong
Youth speak
“There are many tourist attractions in Hong Kong. People come from all over the world to visit them. But there are also places like the ‘dawn market’. I talked to an elderly lady there. She is 81 years old. She told me that she still picks up second-hand items that other people have thrown away. She sells them for a dollar or two. A tear rolled down my face for every word she said. She told me that she had three daughters, but none of them take care of her. Of course I’m not saying that I’m proud about the inequalities in Hong Kong, but I am very proud of everyone, like that old lady, who actually tries their best to earn a living, no matter how hard it is, instead of asking the government for money. They are very grateful for what they have, not like kids nowadays who have everything and still demand more.
by Adam Wright https://www.flickr.com/photos/blimpboy/4074041939
Poverty and inequality
I wish everyone could learn from that old lady’s attitude.
Christy Chu, 16 Yew Chung International School
Money can’t buy everything.”
“People often believe that success has a great deal to do with luck, but I beg to differ. Success is 95% hard work and only 5% luck, much like Hong Kong’s journey to success. It can be traced back to the community’s strong work ethic. People here are passionate about contributing to our economy and against the idea of mere welfarism. Workaholics, aren’t we? The Hong Kong government also gives opportunities to people to make the most out of their lives, whether at school, at work or in retirement. The luck part is our location, on the South China Sea coast, perfect as a trading hub. Now, as the world does business with the mainland, the city benefits, as it does from business professionals from across the globe, willing to bring in new ideas and provoke our inner east Asian tiger to roar even louder.”
by Ross Pollack https://www.flickr.com/photos/rossap/6085049307
Work, luck and location
Joy Pamnani, 15 Po Leung Kuk Ngan Po Ling College
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Youth Hong Kong | September 2014
Youth speak
by Pasu Au Yeung https://www.flickr.com/photos/studiokanu/14411981930
Freedom of speech “Hong Kong is a city that emphasizes freedom of speech and a wide range of opinions are expressed here. Many groups fight to protect their interests and yet, thinking positively, I believe that today’s divisions allow differences in opinion to come to the surface and do not necessarily result in confusion. Even in today’s divided community, fairness can be achieved by policymakers, problems can be resolved and respect can be shown to all major stakeholders. However, this is only possible if freedom of speech is maintained.” “Of all Hong Kong’s icons I treasure freedom of press most of all. Journalists are responsible for representing differing perspectives and for reflecting accurately personal opinions conveyed to them. This includes publishing views of stakeholders who question official decisions and are concerned about social injustice. It is a means of bringing pressure to bear on decisionmakers in order to benefit the majority rather than minority vested interests.” “A group of secondary students who are willing to speak out have formed a political society called Scholarism. They are involved in various political issues and demonstrations. As members of the younger generation, they are not like all those who focus only on their smartphones. Instead, they give voice to their views and in this I think they want to represent today’s teenagers.”
Ivy Ho, Year 2 BBA, HKUST
Kevin Li Holam, 16 Li Po Chun United World College
Gigi Chau, 23 Account Executive
by Spreng Ben https://www.flickr.com/photos/sprengben/4034724740
Sense of identity “Hongkonger was one of the new words recently added to the Oxford English Dictionary. For me, and many people in Hong Kong, it means that we have finally won recognition. We have fought for our own identity and the fight continues. We have our own unique culture and politics, and it is not the same as that of mainlanders. We are proud to be Hongkongers and by joining protests we do not mean to cause trouble. Rather, we want to maintain harmony. This is what Hong Kong needs despite the recent divisions in our community. Only with harmony can there be peace of mind.”
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Pansy Tam, Year 2 HKBU
September 2014 | Youth Hong Kong
Youth speak
by luke chan https://www.flickr.com/photos/lukechanchan/3906370669
Talking about home
P
assers-by in an MTR station tell Youth Hong Kong their views.
Joey, a 23-year old student, says, “I value Hong Kong’s freedoms, its multiculturalism and the rule of law above everything. That’s why I want to stay here, but I think most Hong Kong people focus on money and economic development.”
Maggie was also concerned. “I think we are living through very difficult times. Views are polarized in many ways and normal people with good jobs, who call Hong Kong their home, cannot even afford to buy a flat.”
His friend, Mark, also in his 20s, agreed. “I would add our natural environment. It’s beautiful in Hong Kong’s countryside! But for me, the high cost of living and widening poverty gap are serious concerns. People here only look at the short term.”
Jodie echoed Natalie, but as a student she did not feel so harassed. “Hongkongers are famous for their pace. They do everything at top speed. Students rush to school while workers rush to work. Even having afternoon tea, which should be relaxing, is done at a rush. More quantity, less quality. Why? Are we all just used to it? If only people in this lovely city could slow down a bit. We would all enjoy life more.”
Winston, an accountant aged 30 heading for an evening class, focused on the economy and development issues. “Developer hegemony and monopolies are the worst problem in our home city. With Hong Kong’s focus on service industries, more people think of setting up in business, but small companies cannot compete fairly and employment opportunities are narrowing.” Natalie, on the other hand, had just got married. Caught in the rush hour on her way home, she didn’t stop for long. “Long working hours seriously affect our home life. There’s no time to enjoy there. I’m always in a hurry!”
Ken, an executive officer on his way to a concert, said, “Few take culture, heritage or the arts here seriously. Even the remaining farm land is under threat in the Northeast New Territories, All people think of is flats, flats, flats.” Overhearing him, Andy, a colleague commented, “But we have a free society and everyone is willing to work more for the sake of success, whatever their age. Our home city’s best qualities are its hard-working people.”
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Youth Hong Kong | September 2014
Youth watch
Having their
H
say
ere we take a look at how youth view their countries. Are they happy about their work, the state of their nations, and how they see their future? This article explores surveys which include factors such as confidence, work, voting and the future – including having children of their own.
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by Virginia Addison
Australia
India
confident but worried about discrimination
optimistic and determined
78% of Australians are confident of a good future and 63% feel their country’s future is bright. 54% think earning a lot of money is important for a good life, 52% were satisfied with their work, 25% value their job’s social impact, but only 5% think a good job entails prestigious status.1* 25% of 1519 year-olds thought there were insufficient job opportunities in their community and 50% thought they would have to look elsewhere for work.2Young women ranked equity and discrimination as the top issue facing the country, indicating concerns about workplace discrimination, racism and inequality. Voting is compulsory in Australia, yet Australian Electoral Commission statistics show 25% of young voters failed to enrol for the 2013 federal election.3 A 2012 survey found 67% of under 30s want to get married and 55% of all singles feel they are expected to have children. 35% of the surveyed singles would have a child before marriage.4
Surveys reveal that young Indians are some of the world’s most contented, with 90% sure they will do well in the future, 83% confident in their country’s future and 84% satisfied with the age in which they live.* 60% of young Indians hope to earn a lot of money in the next 15 years and 41% rate money as important to a good life. A better wage takes precedence over career opportunity and status matters, with 27% wanting to be managers or leaders. 97% of young Indians see their jobs as an important factor in their identity. About 80% voted in the 2014 election, and about 83% wanted a change of government.5 74% think the country is becoming more violent and they also worry about corruption. Only 13% want to start a family. Being famous rates higher (27%) than getting a degree (16%) or having children (24%).
September 2014 | Youth Hong Kong
Youth watch
Japan
Mainland China
pessimistic but enfranchised
positive and persistent
Only 24% of Japanese youth expect their country to thrive in future and 75% were dissatisfied with it. 51% were also unhappy with their own lives.* 60% did not like their work, but 32%6 thought they would have a good job in the future although competition is fierce. Survey responses from almost 250 university and vocational school graduates indicated a high level of distrust of Japanese firms and society. Nevertheless, another survey found that 57% of young workers did not want to work overseas.7 Far fewer young people exercise their right to vote in Japan than they do in either India or Malaysia. In 2012, only 47% of all young people voted in the general election.8 Only 6.5% of high school students believed that they could change society by participating. Young people are bound by strict social codes and only around 2% of babies are born outside marriage.9 Official figures for women in their early 20s indicate that 25% may never marry and 40% may remain childless.10
The majority of young Chinese (82%) think their country has a bright future and 84% feel it will play a more important role in the world.* 40% say a good life is predicated on feeling free. The goals of two-thirds of youth for the next 15 years are to earn a lot of money and to own a house or flat. 40% also want to own their own company. 44% of 18-21 year-olds and 48% of 22-31 year olds think democracy is a good thing, but over 50% of the younger age group and 47% of the older said they could not generalize and their opinion would depend on whether China’s current conditions were appropriate, according to a 2013 study from a state think tank, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.11 Around 56% of mainland Chinese polled wanted to have a second child, according to a 2014 online survey conducted by the Southern Metropolis Daily. 12% said they did not want any children.12
Sources *Note Source number 1 provides information for more than one country, as asterisked. 1.
http://www.fondapol.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/2011-World-Youths.pdf
2. https://www.missionaustralia.com.au/what-we-do-to-help-new/young-people/understanding-young-people/annual-youth-survey 3. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-21/figures-show-25-per-cent-of-young-people-failed-to-enrol-to-vote/4903292 4. http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life/who-wants-to-get-married-20120808-23tmd.html 5. http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2014/02/our-poll-young-indians 6. http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20140117150414228 7. http://www.japantoday.com/category/lifestyle/view/why-do-so-few-young-japanese-want-to-work-overseas 8. https://storify.com/LinkAsiaNews/japan-youth-politics 9. http://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2014/07/economist-explains-16 10. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/20/young-people-japan-stopped-having-sex 11. http://www.theatlantic.com/china/archive/2013/07/young-chinese-people-may-just-not-be-that-into-western-style-democracy/277885/ 12. http://www.scmp.com/news/china-insider/article/1294421/most-chinese-want-have-second-child-says-survey
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Youth Hong Kong | September 2014
Youth watch
Malaysia
Singapore
disempowered but vocal
proud of home but looking elsewhere
A 2012 nationwide survey13 found that 58% think the country is moving in the right direction, although inflation, the general economic situation, crime, unemployment and corruption in the government are top issues. While unemployment concerns some, 73% say the real issue with the employment situation is not getting a job, but getting one they like. Only 17% of the total number of respondents wanted to work outside Malaysia, with most being in the younger age bracket. Socially and politically, youth perceive themselves as under-empowered to act. Only 39% say they can make a difference in solving problems within their communities. In terms of their perceived influence on the government, 41% said they could influence how government works. However, in the 2013 election the voter turnout for first-time, young voters was 83%.14 Women are having fewer children, with figures falling from three children per woman in 2000 to 2.1 in 2012. In a 2012 survey, 50.9% of Chinese women surveyed said “no� to having children or, for those who were mothers already, to having more.15
74% of young people say that they are proud of their country but six in 10 consider looking beyond Singapore to achieve their dreams.16 A survey by Credit Suisse17 showed that many of them worried about unemployment, inflation and the high cost of living. More than 66% say the presence of foreigners in the city-state is causing problems such as increasing housing prices and competition for jobs. 39% would not vote if voting were not compulsory. About one in four young voters polled feel that they want to, but have little say in government policies and decision-making, despite wanting to, according to a 2011 survey of 21-35 year-olds.18 Top priorities are an affordable place to live, a society that defines success beyond academic and material achievements, and a more fulfilling pace of life. Only 3% put having children top of their wish list.
Sources cont'd 13. http://asiafoundation.org/news/2012/12/the-asia-foundation-launchesthe-youth-factor-2012-survey-of-malaysian-youth-opinion/ 14. http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/the-generalelection-surprise-younger-malays-too-went-to-barisan
21. http://www.graduates.co.uk/graduate-employment-rates/
15. http://www.theheat.my/Article.aspx?ArticleId=1676
22. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/shocking-poll-shows-60-young-3501186
16. http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/six-10-youngsingaporeans-have-considered-leaving-the-country-fulfill--#sthash.Ajs7i43S.dpuf
23. http://www.statista.com/statistics/293734/influence-of-familyon-future-happiness-of-young-people-great-britain/
17. https://www.credit-suisse.com/ch/en/news-and-expertise/ publications/bulletin/barometer/youth-barometer.html
24. http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/macquarieyouthindex/index.html
18. http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Singapore/ Story/A1Story20110330-270945.html
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20. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/overqualified-andunderemployed-britain-faces-youth-talent-crisis-as-new-figures-revealmore-than-a-million-young-people-working-menial-jobs-9198044.html
19. http://www.economist.com/news/britain/21578666-britains-youth-arenot-just-more-liberal-their-elders-they-are-also-more-liberal-any
25. http://mckinseyonsociety.com/downloads/reports/Education/ UXC001%20Voice%20of%20the%20Graduate%20v7.pdf 26. http://www.yda.org/resources/youth-vote-statistics/ 27. http://www.gallup.com/poll/164618/desire-children-norm.aspx
September 2014 | Youth Hong Kong
Youth watch
United Kingdom
United States
discontented and discouraged
ambivalent but hopeful
Britons aged 18-24 are more likely than older people to consider social problems the responsibility of individuals rather than government.19 74% of young people are optimistic about their future, but only 34% feel the same about their country.* Nearly 1.3 million 16-24 year-olds are out of work and another 1.2 million are “underemployed or overqualified.”20 The average full-time employment rate for graduates for 2011-2012 was 55.1%.21 Over 40% believe the economy is one of the biggest issues facing the country and are concerned about unemployment.22 Nevertheless, 60% say they will not vote in the 2015 general election. 31% of 16-24-year-olds said the biggest influence on their future happiness was their family and 80% of 18-34 year-olds say they would consider having a family before getting married.23 Disquietingly, in a recent survey of over 2,000 16-25-yearolds, 9% said they had nothing to live for.24
One in three graduates did not feel college had prepared them well for the world of work but 76% were sure they would have a good job in the future and 53% hoped to earn a lot of money. Unemployment was a worry, but 66% wanted to try new things and, for 62%, exploring the world outdid pursuing a career.25 50% of eligible young voters cast a ballot in the 2012 election.26 In 2013, nearly 75% felt the political system needed some sort of fundamental reform. 33% of young Americans had a “rather bleak” view of their society’s future, according to the Credit Suisse survey, although other statistics revealed that 81% thought their personal future was bright and 87% thought they had the power to change society through their actions.* More than half of Americans aged 18-40 have children. 40% have none yet but hope to one day. Only 6% neither have nor want children.27
National Floral Emblems Australia Golden wattle
Singapore Orchid Vanda Miss Joaquim
by Tatters https://www.flickr.com/photos/tgerus/4140035349
by MaX Fulcher https://www.flickr.com/photos/maxful/11302326975
India Lotus Nelumno nucifera
UK Tudor rose, Scottish thistle, daffodil, shamrock
by Peripitus http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_symbols_of_India#mediaviewer/ File:Nelumno_nucifera_open_flower_-_botanic_garden_adelaide2.jpg
Tudor rose
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tudor_Rose.svg
Japan Cherry blossom (picture courtesy of author)
Scottish thistle by Lyn Jardine https://www.flickr.com/photos/ lynjardine/5978488416
Mainland China Tree peony Paeonia suffruticosa
Daffodil by Christine Majul https://www.flickr.com/photos/ kitkaphotogirl/4449964450
by Invertzoo http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tree_peony,_Queens,_NYC. JPG#mediaviewer/File:Tree_peony,_Queens,_NYC.JPG
Malaysia Chinese hibiscus by Cristóbal Alvarado Minic https://www.flickr.com/photos/ctam/2844372063
shamrock by Ruthandave https://www.flickr.com/photos/ ruthanddave/13414933284, thistle, shamrock
US Rose https://www.flickr.com/photos/crabchick/5608389064
27
Youth Hong Kong | September 2014
by stefan beusch https://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanbeusch/13314343113
Talking point
Reluctant return
I
n the late 1980s and early 1990s, many Hong Kong families worried that their way of life and the political environment of Hong Kong would change drastically after the handover to the mainland. Some chose to emigrate. In this contribution from the Education Post, we see what life has been like for them.
Britain, Australia, the US and Canada were the most popular destinations for Hong Kong people who sought homes abroad around the time of the handover and Doris Lam’s family was among the migrants who chose to go to Vancouver, although their decision had nothing to do with 1997 according to her mother, Mrs Lam. “We emigrated in 1998, after the handover. We had few concerns about the mainland government ruling Hong Kong. The move was for the family to experience life in a foreign country.”
One thing that my mother disliked about living in Canada was that she had to travel a long way to get things done. It was not like Hong Kong. Doris was only two years old when she moved from Hong Kong to Canada. She was too young to have formed lasting impressions of the city where she was born and she easily became accustomed to life in Canada. It was less easy for her mother, who had to quit her job to become a full-time housewife. “One
28
thing that my mother disliked about living in Canada was that she had to travel a long way to get things done. My mother did not like driving a car, but in Canada she had to drive every day to shop and take me to school. It was not like Hong Kong, where shops are nearby. That was tough on her,” Doris says. Doris attended a local school in Canada with limited access to Chinese, so her parents made sure that she learned her mother tongue by sending her to classes. “Every weekend, I attended Chinese class with many other kids whose families were from Hong Kong. Despite this, my standard of Chinese was way behind that of students in Hong Kong,” she admits. After spending five years in Canada and acquiring Canadian passports, Doris’s family decided to return to Hong Kong. “We came back because my grandfather was sick. If I had been old enough to choose, I would rather have preferred to stay in Canada,” she confesses. “I had a hard time adjusting to life in Hong Kong.” Doris returned to Hong Kong after finishing Primary One in Canada. The first hurdle for her parents was finding her a school. “She didn’t know a lot of Chinese so it wasn’t easy to find a school for her,” Mrs Lam says.
September 2014 | Youth Hong Kong
by Roy Cheung https://www.flickr.com/photos/alternakive/3260667042/
Talking point
“We tried applying to a number of local schools, but had no success. Eventually we got her a place at a direct subsidy school – St Margaret's Co-educational English Secondary and Primary School, which caters to Englishspeaking students. We considered ourselves lucky.” Like many students who returned to Hong Kong after education in a western country, Doris had trouble both with her Chinese and with adapting to school life. “I cannot tell you how many times I failed my Chinese examinations. Every year before the summer break, I had to take remedial classes when my classmates were enjoying trips to theme parks. I am lucky in that I can take GCSE Chinese, which is easier than DSE Chinese. This will help when applying for local universities.”
In Canada, cars will stop to wait for pedestrians to cross, and people will hold doors open for others, but in Hong Kong people just rush past.
Now in Secondary Five, Doris still hankers after Canada. “It feels weird having to wear school uniform and bow to teachers when we wish them good morning. Also, the air quality in Hong Kong is really bad compared to Canada. I love nature, but I feel so far away from it in Hong Kong. Even when we go on field trips, like visiting the wetland park, I don’t think of it as really interacting with nature.” Doris has not enjoyed her return to Hong Kong. She does not like the city’s fast pace. “In Canada, cars will stop to wait for pedestrians to cross, and people will hold doors open for others, but in Hong Kong people just rush past, never looking behind and letting doors slam in your face,” she complains. Doris will sit the HKDSE next year and then hopes to go back to university in Canada. “My preference is to study in Canada because I would love to study creative writing and universities here do not offer much by way of such programmes. I think the education system in Canada suits me better, but I have not made a decision yet because my mother prefers to have me in Hong Kong.” Time will tell whether family ties are stronger for Doris than personal preferences.
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Youth Hong Kong | September 2014
Talking point
Bringing us all back home
M
30
by 攝到掛 https://www.flickr.com/photos/md903152/12691640565
The next decade saw huge economic growth, greater prosperity for Hong Kong people and many more Hong Kong air travellers. Then came the economically difficult years of the early 90s. It was a troubled time for Hong Kong people too. For some of them, airline travel became synonymous with emigration.
Then came the handover of Hong Kong to mainland China in 1997. For this Cathay put on its best for the community, dressing up one of their 747s in a special livery, Spirit of Hong Kong. The airline has been one of the city’s leaders at times of crisis, joining efforts to get Hong Kong back onto its feet after the SARS epidemic with the We Love Hong Kong campaign.
by 梁瑋鑫
by The J-thing https://www.flickr.com/photos/ jemauvais/4242284140
by The J-thing https://www.flickr.com/photos/ jemauvais/4241509687
Cathay Pacific, founded in 1946, has grown up with Hong Kong. In the 50s and 60s, it was running early passenger flights to Manila, Bangkok, Singapore and Shanghai. By the late 1970s, the first Boeing 747-200 had arrived here and longhaul flights to London, Europe and North America began.
by Lok Cheung https://www.flickr.com/photos/ lokcheung/4345512859
any people who call Hong Kong their home have travelled by air to study, work and explore overseas before returning home. They think fondly of the city’s iconic, made-in-Hong Kong airline, Cathay Pacific.
Every city needs a brand name to be proud of and in a year when the community has become polarized, the airline has done our home city proud. Once again in 2014 it was named the World’s Best Airline.
September 2014 | Youth Hong Kong
Talking point
Thumbs up for
Several surveys have been run by HKFYG over the years to track changing attitudes and values. When asked what mattered, a 2002 survey revealed that the three most fundamentally held values held were freedom (44%), incorruptibility (35%) and fairness (34%). Two years later, in 2004, a second survey’s findings showed that they had most confidence in diligence, the rule of law and – once again – incorruptibility. Ten years later, when invited to rate their confidence level with respect to the preservation of values, on a scale of 0-100, youth’s confidence in diligence was rated highest, at 72 points on average, followed by rule of law at 69 points, and incorruptibility at 65 points. Confidence in freedom, justice, respect, equality, fairness and trust were all over 60 points.
by Simon Cocks https://www.flickr.com/ photos/simon_cocks/4915110672
Core values
by Leung ching yau alex https://www.flickr. com/photos/cyalex/12896467394
T
o conclude this section, we look at surveys which explore how Hongkongers feel about their home. They reveal what respondents feel most strongly about, and the special tastes, sights and sounds which they think reflect the city’s essence.
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Youth Hong Kong | September 2014
Talking point
Widespread concerns However, today there is widespread concern in the community about the independence of the judiciary and the separation of powers, pillars on which the rule of law rests. In the surveys, 54% said the worsening poverty gap made them feel unhappy and 45% were annoyed by high property prices. Others were concerned about high pressure at work (36%), poor constitutional development (24%), and poor environmental quality (22%).
Outstanding icons
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by 劉卓斌
by 鄧志輝
by 梁瑋鑫
by 劉卓斌
Which outstanding icons do young people single out as essential symbols of Hong Kong? The results in the 2013 HKFYG Very Hong Kong survey varied widely, from heritage and the harbour, Ocean Park and the Golden Bauhinia, to landmarks, certain public figures, freedom of speech, and the International Finance Centre. Some homely items were typical foods and redwhite-blue plastic bags, without which Hong Kong would no longer be the home we know and love.
September 2014 | Youth Hong Kong
Talking point
Best features
by 劉卓斌
by 劉卓斌
by Patty https://www.flickr.com/photos/archangeli/1725202465
by chee.hong https://www.flickr.com/photos/chleong/2446041116
by 羅潤龍
What pleases Hong Kong youth most about their home city? Given a choice of 12 options, Hong Kong’s reputation as an eating and shopping paradise came top of the list for 43% in the Very Hong Kong survey. This light-hearted response was followed closely by freedoms. Hong Kong’s multi-cultural society, then good public security and infrastructure, the city’s trendsetting quality, cosmopolitanism, and civic society, as well as its natural environment, social welfare system and heritage conservation were all well noted.
Some photos in the issue are from the 2013 HKFYG Very Hong Kong photo competition. Statistics are from HKFYG surveys in 2002, 2004 and 2013. Full details available on request.
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Youth Hong Kong | September 2014
City space
Fit for life
by Kate Yung
I
f you want to stay healthy, be smarter and live longer you need to start eating right and getting your body moving, according to this fitness coach who works with young people and her mobile gym.
While weekends may see the city’s hills filled with hikers, many young Hongkongers are happier holed up inside with their phones or computers, but this behaviour is putting them on the road to a future of ill health and weight problems. In Hong Kong, many young people suffer from chronic ill health and disabilities because of preventable non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer. In 2011 in Hong Kong, 19% of the cancers reported in the 2044 age group for men affected the nasopharynx, 11.6% affected the liver. 35.4% of women in the same age group suffered breast cancer.1
Revamp your diet The Hong Kong Behavioral Risk Factor Survey in 2012 found that 82% of adults eat less than the WHO’s recommended five servings of fruit and vegetables a day needed to obtain optimal health benefits.5 An unhealthy diet may lead to raised blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol and other conditions linked to obesity and NCDs.
A healthy diet should also include legumes, nuts and grains and minimal amounts of salt, sugar and fats, in particular saturated fats and trans-fatty acids. Some studies have found vegetarian-style eating patterns have been associated with improved health outcomes, such as lower levels of obesity, a reduced risk of cardiovascular Changing our own behaviour disease, and lower total mortality.6 Why not have a According to studies by the World Health Organization Green Monday and give up meat one day per week? (WHO), 80% of premature NCDs can be prevented.2 Tofu is a great item for a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet as it contains complete protein.7 Eggs also supply all How? By changing our own behaviour. It is not always easy to motivate young people, particularly in a society essential amino acids and are considered a source of where parents value academic results more than exercise. complete protein. Some studies show that a moderate consumption of eggs, up to one a day, does not appear According to the WHO classification for adult Asians, in to increase heart disease risk in healthy individuals.8 2012, 18% of the city’s population is overweight, while 19% is obese.3 Being overweight or obese increases the risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes and NCDs. The best way to tackle the problem is with a combination of diet and exercise rather than by diet or exercise alone.4
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September 2014 | Youth Hong Kong
City space
Get moving
As dangerous as smoking
Although HK is a modern metropolis, its natural playgrounds are just around the corner. There are country parks to walk in, pools to swim in, endless sporting clubs to join and the beach for fun. Hong Kong Park in Admiralty and Kowloon Park in Tsim Sha Tsui are excellent outdoor areas where you can join boot camps and work out with your colleagues before or after work.
Researchers warn that physical inactivity may be as dangerous for the heart as smoking a packet of cigarettes every day.12 However, most Hongkongers are still not exercising enough, with less than 40% of the population able to meet the WHO recommendation.13 Hong Kong is falling behind other places like England and the US. In 2012, 67% of British men and 55% of British women were able to meet the recommendation.14 In 2011, New York 53.7% of men and 49.4% of women were able to meet the recommendation.15
Sport can help young people increase their self-esteem and become more outgoing. Exercise will also build stronger bodies and better brains, as it enhances children’s neurological development and executive function.9 Exercise helps to improve our cardio-pulmonary function, reduces the risk of NCDs, some cancers, maintains optimum body weight and relieves stress. So, how much exercise is enough? For adults, WHO recommends at least 150 minutes of moderateintensity aerobic physical activity throughout the week.10 You may divide it into multiple short bouts of at least 10 minutes if necessary. For adolescents, WHO suggests an accumulation of at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity on a daily basis.11 Muscle strengthening and bone loading exercise, such as jumping, running and turning, should also be included at least three times per week to enhance bone health and to improve body build.
www.playfit.asia kate@playfit.asia https://www.facebook.com/HKPlayfit
What is keeping you from exercise? Too little time? Why not use everyday opportunities to get moving? Ditch the lift and climb the stairs, get up 15 minutes earlier in the morning and walk in the park or make use of lunchtime for a city stroll. Too tired? Exercise will boost your energy level by producing endorphins (hormones that give pleasure). If you have trouble keeping up the exercise habit, find a workout partner. In my own experience, exercising with a friend is better than working out alone because the competition motivates you to work harder. So put down that smartphone and grab a pair of trainers now. It’s time to change your ways and get the best out of your life.
Kate Yung is a final year BSc physiotherapy student at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, founder of Playfit and the 2014 PolyU Micro Fund Awardee. Playfit is the first mobile gym in Hong Kong with support in sports medicine. It offers fitness training at customers’ preferred location.
Sources 1. http://www3.ha.org.hk/cancereg/Summary%20of%20CanStat%202011.pdf 2.
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs317/en/
3.
http://www.chp.gov.hk/en/data/1/10/280/1331.html
4.
Curioni, CC & Lourenco, PM. Long-term weight loss after diet and exercise: a systematic review. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord, 29(10), 1168-1174, 2005.
5.
http://www.chp.gov.hk/en/data/1/10/280/1340.html
6.
http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/DietaryGuidelines/2010/PolicyDoc/Chapter5.pdf
7.
Cross, AJ. Higher red meat consumption is associated with increased risk of all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality. Evidence Based Nursing, 15(4), 2012.
8.
Hu FB et al. A prospective study of egg consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease in men and women. JAMA 281 (15): 1387–94, 1999.
9.
Tomporowski, P et al. Exercise and Children’s Intelligence, Cognition, and Academic Achievement. Ed Psych Rev, 20(2), 111-131, 2008
10. http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/factsheet_adults/en/ 11. http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/factsheet_young_people/en/ 12. Lee, I et al. Effect of physical inactivity on major non-communicable diseases worldwide: an analysis of burden of disease and life expectancy. The Lancet, 380(9838), 219-229, 13. http://www.chp.gov.hk/en/data/1/10/280/1341.html 14. http://www.hscic.gov.uk/catalogue/PUB13218/HSE2012-Ch2-Phys-act-adults.pdf 15. http://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/brfss/reports/docs/1309_brfss_physical_activity.pdf
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Youth Hong Kong | September 2014
City space
Figure 1
Air Pollution from bad to worse
Maximum hourly concentrations of pollutants
Combined total of days when roadside API was above 100 in Central, Causeway Bay and Mong Kok
200 150 100 50
By William Wong Environment Officer, HKFYG
O
1999
2013
Six major air pollutants
utdoor air quality in Hong Kong is deteriorating despite government incentives such as grants for LPG cars and fines for leaving engines idling. Where do the air pollutants come from, how do they affect health and how might we solve the air pollution problem?
•• •• •• •• •• ••
Sulphur dioxide: SO2 Nitrogen oxides: NOx Respirable suspended particulates PM10 Fine suspended particulates PM2.5 Volatile organic compounds: VOC Carbon monoxide: CO
Source Environmental Protection Department
Two major challenges for the Hong Kong government are the local street-level pollution and regional smog. Throughout 2013, very high readings were recorded in the Air Pollution Index (API). They are particularly bad in the busiest parts of the city when vehicles are at their densest: Central, Causeway Bay and Mong Kok (see Figure 1). In December 2013, the Environmental Protection Department replaced the API with a new Air Quality Health Index (AQI) which measures the health risks of air pollution by analyzing the three-hour average concentrations of four major pollutants – ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5). Real-time readings are online.1 Similar measurements are used in other cities such as Singapore, Vancouver and Shanghai.2
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by iam25boy
Pollution in Hong Kong has various sources including electricity generation and vehicles of all kinds: road, air and sea. It gets worse in winter when northerly winds bring smog from the Pearl River Delta, and better in summer when prevailing winds are from the South China Sea.
Harm to health Where particulate matter is concerned, the smaller the particle, the greater the risk of health problems. In Hong Kong, according to the University of Hong Kong Hedley Environmental Index,3 over 3,000 people died due to the air pollution last year. Information from the government is available4 and an excellent update and infographic was published in March 2014.5
September 2014 | Youth Hong Kong
City space
Figure 2 Emission Reduction Targets for 2015 and 2020
Pollutant
NOX RSP VOC
Hong Kong
-25%
-35% to -75%
PRD Economic Zone
-16%
-20% to -35%
Hong Kong
-10%
-20% to -30%
PRD Economic Zone
-18%
-20% to - 40%
Hong Kong
-10%
-15% to -40%
PRD Economic Zone
-10%
-15% to -25
Hong Kong PRD Economic Zone
Source Environmental Protection Department
-5
-15%
-10%
-15% to -25%
7
The Hong Kong government is collaborating with Guangdong on a new set of targets. Emission of four major pollutants - SO2, NOx, RSP and VOC are set to drop. (See Figure 2). At present, Hong Kong’s air quality is broadly comparable to that of high-income Asian cities such as Seoul and Taipei, but not as good as in Singapore.6 What else can be done? Electric vehicles are one answer but for buses there are special problems: high volume of passengers, steep hills and air-conditioning, to say nothing of the tilting test – up to 35°, which makes safe battery location crucial. Diesel-electric hybrids are another option. So is retro-fitting of catalytic converters to reduce emissions. Meantime, hundreds of old Euro buses are still on Hong Kong’s roads and newer buses will not replace all of them until 2020. All of us can help to reduce air pollution. Campaigns minimizing use of private cars, using the MTR instead of buses, and walking wherever this is a healthy, feasible option, are all ways of dealing with the situation. Approximately 90% of all private car journeys are made by a single driver with one passenger. However, in the end, economic sanctions often work better than any public awareness campaign. What about electronic road pricing? The first tests were conducted in Hong Kong in the 1980s and it was adopted successfully by Singapore in the 1990s. There is surely
a chance that the public opposition it met in Hong Kong 30 years ago might be mitigated by now. Another answer is car sharing. Hong Kong has private car start-ups like Carshare.hk and taxi sharing by TaxiShare.8 Carshare9 targets housing estates where car owners are few because parking is limited. They also offer an electric vehicle. TaxiShare detects and connects commuters seeking a taxi who share a destination. These socially responsible, innovative ideas are great for helping to reduce traffic volume on the road as well as reduce individuals transport costs so much to be encouraged.
by nataliejj http://flickr.com.photos/nataliejohnson/42586527/
So2
2015 Emission Reduction Targets 2020 Emission Reduction Targeted (compared to 2010) Ranges (as compared with 2010)
Area
Sources 1. http://www.cleartheair.org.hk/ 2. http://www.aqhi.gov.hk/en/related-websites/other-related-websites.html 3. Hedley Environmental Index: http://hedleyindex.sph.hku.hk/mobile/tc/ 4. The Health Effect of Air Pollution, Centre for Health Protection, Department of Health, HKSAR: http://www.chp.gov.hk/en/content/9/460/3557.html 5. http://www.scmp.com/infographics/article/1456143/youre-choking-where-particulate-matter-comes 6. http://www.enb.gov.hk/en/files/New_Air_Plan_en.pdf 7. http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/prob_solutions/strategies_apc.html 8. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.taxishare&hl=zh_HK 9. Car-sharing start-up wins investment, by Mark Sharp, South China Morning Post http://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/motoring/article/1222940/car-sharing-start-wins-investment
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Youth Hong Kong | September 2014
Arts and culture
Lights, camera…
me by Hilary Lok
M
ore and more young people are making short videos of themselves and posting them on the internet, this writer looks at the reasons for the growing trend.
Many of these videos are created by young people, mostly with no film-making experience, as a form of self-expression. The internet age has opened up a new outlet for those who perhaps aren’t best suited to writing, but want their voices to be heard. Some people, extroverts in particular, may find it easier to express themselves in a video instead of writing. I think articulation is important regardless of format, and videos encompass aspects of body language which may better suit those whose actions give flavour and meaning to their words. I have a good friend who makes a lot of short videos because he enjoys learning new special effects techniques and finds them a lot of fun, in fact he now wants to take this further and hopes to study motion graphics and visual effects at university. The evolution of technology is most likely a leading factor in encouraging this new wave of young videomakers. A decade ago it would have seemed folly to even attempt to shoot amateur videos just for the
38
sake of it. Equipment was expensive and filming took a lot of time. Today, however, with the convenience of smartphones which have built-in, high-quality recording functions, and compact digital cameras that far outshine the technology available years ago, anyone can record their daily lives and produce quality videos. As a result, almost every young person owns a smartphone and has the ability to whip out a powerful video recording device from their pocket at any given moment lends itself well to the growing popularity of youth-produced videos. Not all videos produced are of good quality, and not all are well made, but there are a lot of very good ones. I’d define a good video as one that is able to captivate its audience and leave them wanting more from the same uploader after the video is finished.
by Steve Rhodes Https://www.flickr.com/photos/ari/3642215560
It is hard to imagine a world without the vibrant multimedia that now surrounds our everyday lives. The internet hosts a wealth of material that never seems to stop expanding, but one area seems to be attracting increasing numbers of young people – the posting of short videos. The advent of popular video platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and Vine over the past 10 years has spurred those wanting a moving picture experience of their very own to spread their creative wings and produce personal, five-minute records of their lives.
September 2014 | Youth Hong Kong
by Gage Skidmore wikimedia ttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ commons/thumb/b/b8/Ryan_Higa_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg/220px-Ryan_ Higa_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg
Arts and culture
p Popular YouTubers
Going viral
It is not surprising if these figures inspire many youngsters to chase similar dreams in the hope of one day going “viral”. I think the film-makers have shown young people that it’s possible to become something and someone who has the power to influence others, even if they have started out as just teenagers recording vlogs in their bedrooms. This gives teens a glimpse of the scope of unlimited potential that they too might possess.
Next big thing…one day Adolescence is a road of self-discovery, and only through self-expression can it be achieved. Short videos can, in fact, highlight young people’s internal drive to express themselves. The rise of the internet and the convenience of smartphones merely contribute to the vast plethora of choice youngsters have to choose from to channel their emotions and thoughts. The video is, perhaps, no more significant than other art forms, writing or photography. It is possible that its popularity lies in the novelty of the medium. Perhaps, when a new form of technology comes along, the fad will fade, but for now, the trend appears to be still going strong.
The current popularity of short videos as a form of selfexpression is an amalgamation of various factors, but one stands out above the rest - making and watching videos is fun. A lot of young people are willing to sacrifice their free time and pour heart and soul into making these videos, for the sake of the intrinsic value these videos have of for them. Self-expression in itself can be a very fun thing if done right! As a writer, the personal satisfaction I gain after I finish a good piece of writing is exponentially more rewarding than any kind of external attention. In order to understand it, I imagine it’s exactly the same with videos. The fact that you’ve created something that’s so personally yours really hits home.
by Alex Eylar http://flickr.com/photos/ hoyvinmayvin/5341211724
Many young people are also inspired by the current generation of leading “YouTubers” and “Internet stars”. These internet role models have millions of subscribers and young people look up to them and follow their creative endeavours in video form. Now, people such as Jenna Marbles, Jack Harries and Ryan Higa are household names, simply because they created videos at home and uploaded them onto YouTube. Jenna Marbles provides a comedic perspective on life, which I enjoy watching on days when I don’t want to think too much. Ryan Higa’s videos are highly amusing, and Jacksgap has very good cinematography.
Hilary Lok, 17 Sha Tin College
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Youth Hong Kong | September 2014
HKFYG
Hang Seng Bank Leaders to Lea
E
ach year, HKFYG and The University of Hong Kong co-organize Hang Seng Bank Leaders to Leaders Lecture Series. It features prominent speakers from the community and this year the series won a mainland award for the Hang Seng Bank.
An award made by the most respected public relations competition on the mainland was won this year by the Hang Seng Bank Leaders to Leaders Lecture Series, run by HKFYG and supported by Hang Seng Bank. The " 第十一屆中國最佳公共關係案例大賽 - 企業社 th 會責任類 - 金獎 " [11 China Golden Awards for Excellence in Public Relations] is organized by the China International Public Relations Association (CIPRA), in recognition of demonstration of excellence in corparate social responsibility.
Guest Speakers Dr Law Chi-kwong Associate Professor, Department of Social Work and Social Administration, University of Hong Kong
Disparity between Rich and Poor Dr Law, Chairman, Community Care Fund Task Force, Commission on Poverty, pointed out that Hong Kong’s Gini coefficient (0.537) is very high for a developed city. He warned about cross-generational poverty and suggested that government should adopt a policy of redistribution of wealth.
The Hon Mr Justice Kemal Bokhary Non-Permanent Judge of Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal
Upholding the Rule of Law Mr Justice Bokhary has served in Hong Kong’s legal system since the 80s. He expressed his view that the most important factors for actualizing the rule of law are the maintenance of an independent judiciary and the separation of powers. These ensure that the judiciary will not be affected by any political factors. He encouraged students to hold fast to their beliefs and to safeguard human rights.
NEW! Leaders to Leaders Online Classroom 2014 pp (left to right)
Dr Rosanna Wong Yick-ming, Executive Director, HKFYG, and Ms Rose Lee Wai-mun, Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive, Hang Seng Bank
A free online learning platform has been launched for students to gain valuable insight from the Leaders to Leaders Series lectures by well-known members of the community. This year’s “online classroom” started in September with free access to all the videos of the 2014 lectures after registration.
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Suitable for registration by all Secondary 3 students or older.
September 2014 | Youth Hong Kong
HKFYG
aders Lecture Series 2014
May – September 2014
Prof Gabriel Leung Cheuk-wai
Mr Francis Ngai Wah-sing
Dean, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong
Founder and CEO, Social Ventures Hong Kong
Healthcare Development
Social Innovation
Prof Leung, a former Under Secretary for Food and Health and Director of the Office of the Chief Executive, HKSAR, shared his life story with the largely student audience and talked about his vision of support for the development of public healthcare in Hong Kong.
Mr Francis Ngai runs a non-profit organization dedicated to the support of social innovation in Hong Kong. Formerly, he was Head of Strategy in a listed technology conglomerate. He spoke of successful social innovations such as Muhammad Yunus’ micro-finance initiative and Hong Kong’s Diamond Cab, Green Monday and Dialogue in the Dark. He believes that social innovation is a proactive means of answering society’s needs.
Ms Ada Ho Ching-ying
Mr Antony Leung Kam-chung
Director, L Plus H Fashion & L Plus H Creation Foundation
Group CEO of the Nan Fung Group
Youth Entrepreneurship Ms Ho worked for several multinational corporations before becoming director of a social enterprise which helps local workers and youth. She encouraged students to prepare themselves well, not be afraid of failure, and learn from experience.
Now open for registration. Enroll at https://ltl.m21.hk/intro2.php Co-organized by HKFYG and The University of Hong Kong, it is fully supported by the Hang Seng Bank.
Rise of the Middle Class Mr Leung is a former Financial Secretary and member of the HKSAR Government’s Executive Council. He has held senior positions in several financial institutions and was a Member of the Exchange Fund Advisory Committee, a Board Member of the Hong Kong Airport Authority, Director of the Hong Kong Futures Exchange, and former Chairman of the Education Commission and the University Grants Committee. He spoke of the increasing number of members of the middle class in various Asian countries. For information on the 2015 Hang Seng Bank Leaders to Leaders Lecture Series on Globalization contact Betty Tse or Iris Wan, tel 2169 0255 Web http://ltl.m21.hk
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Youth Hong Kong | September 2014
HKFYG
Press Here to Start : Beyond the Talk
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42
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* http://economists-pick-research.hktdc.com/business-news/article/Research-Articles/Main/ rp/en/1/1X000000/1X09XC6U.htm
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Entrepreneurship is a driver of sustainable economic growth and has a long history in Hong Kong. Recent survey findings* show that about 80% of new entrepreneurs start new businesses with HK$200,000 or less. 30% of them are engaged in retail and about 12% start business using information technology, with many developing mobile phone apps.
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Overseas participants will include university students and entrepreneurs, some of whom are now in employment but have an interest in starting a business. They are coming from Australia, Cambodia, Canada, India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, Thailand, the UK and the US, as well as from mainland China, to join those from Hong Kong.
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The inaugural Forum is on 13 October at Hong Kong’s Kowloonbay International Trade and Exhibition Centre (KITEC). It is open to anyone aged 18-45 who runs an established business or is just starting up with a new idea. Practical startup skills, social innovation, and the potential of the Asian market are covered in dialogue sessions.
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he Global Forum will bring together 400 young entrepreneurs from Hong Kong, mainland China and a dozen other countries to engage in discussions and practical action. The aim is to press start entrepreneurial ideas and make them into creative, innovative reality.
September 2014 | Youth Hong Kong
HKFYG
Guest of Honour
Plenary Dialogue Moderators and Speakers
Keynote speaker
u Dialogue 1 How to Start Smart and Know the Risks Moderated by Dr Allen Fung
The Hon John C Tsang Financial Secretary Dr Victor K Fung Chairman, Victor and William Fung Foundation Group Chairman, Fung Group
Executive Director, Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited With panel speakers Mr Jordan McRae Octo23 Technologies (France) Ms Edith Yeung Dolphin Browser, (US) Mr Chen Di YouMi (Mainland China) Dr Alan Lam Sengital Limited (HK)
Luncheon speaker Mr Antony Leung CEO, Nan Fung Group
Special Guest Speaker
u Dialogue 2 What Makes Social Innovation Successful Moderated by Ms Ada Wong
Plenary Session: New Opportunities in Qianhai Mr Zhang Bei Director General, Authority of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone of Shenzhen
Founder & Hon Chief Executive, Hong Kong Institute of Contemporary Culture With panel speakers Mr James Boon Elephant Branded (UK) Ms Zhang Lijuan Green Tomato (Mainland China) Mr David Yeung Green Monday (HK) Mr Vincent Wong Solution-On-Wheels (HK) u Dialogue 3 Why Asia is Competitive for Entrepreneurs Moderated by Prof Paul Cheung Associate Vice-President (Research) The University of Hong Kong With panel speakers
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Mr Tan Ying Lan Sequoia (Singapore) Mr Liu Zihong Royole Corporation (Mainland China) Mr Victor Wong VFXNova Digital Production (HK) Mr Eric Chen Vitargent (HK)
Co-organizers: 深圳市前海深港現代服務業 合作區管理局 Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone
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More information Web globalforum@hkfyg.org.hk Contact Mabel Woo, tel 2811 2779
43
Youth Hong Kong | September 2014
HKFYG
M21 Travel
I
Mission
pp (left to right) Karen, Harvey, Luying, Hobby
n the past few months, the M21 Travel Mission has sent four teams on funded Caring for Children assignments. They went to Yunnan in southwest China, Siberia in northwest Russia, Mandalay in Myanmar, and Kathmandu in Nepal to make video travelogues.
First they did research for travel proposals and made video presentations for public voting and selection by a panel of judges. Then they spent about a month developing feasible itineraries with a social purpose and practised their presentation skills in front of the camera so that ultimately they could perform well on video.
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pp Introducing art jamming at the Green Lake Park
The Yunnan team’s four members were Hiu-ching, Wing-chuen, Mo and Wuki. They introduced art jamming to parents and their children at Kunming city’s popular Green Lake Park on a sunny Sunday. They attracted many locals to take part and the children enjoyed drawing very much that day. Next, the team took their show to a primary school, 2,000 metres up in the nearby hills.
pp Giving art lessons to Yunnan children.
September 2014 | Youth Hong Kong
HKFYG
pp Giving art lessons to Yunnan children.
Another four adventurers from Hong Kong were Luying, Karen, Hobby and Harvey. They travelled for three days to reach a school for nomads' children in Siberia. They went via Moscow to Salehard, north of the Arctic Circle, before taking an 8-hour bus trip, then a speedboat ride, followed by a 3-hour drive in a tracked all-terrain vehicle before they reached the The Land of Hope school.
The season’s last team consisted of two enterprising young ladies, Vivian and Ellie, who spent the last week of August at an orphanage in Kathmandu. They prepared a series of job-related workshops for secondary students to help them plan their dream careers.
The M21 Travel Mission aims to encourage young people to travel with a social purpose, enjoying In this very remote area, children grow up very themselves but also making the most of their talents differently from those in Hong Kong. So the team took to contribute to communities all over the world. The with them a large world map and spent the next eight project is funded by SOCAM Development Limited, days telling them stories about Hong Kong and other far a company that supports innovative projects for youth corners of the world. By the end of the week they were development. Future teams will travel to Seoul, Surabaya, able to show a video illustrating the daily lives and happy Tashkent and Kenya. Their mission: to carry out faces of the village children, as a thank you to their kind, projects which “Sustain Happiness” in the community. warm-hearted hosts who so rarely have such visitors. The videos of their journeys will be broadcast on the M21 Travel Channel from October onwards. Then, at the end of June, the third team set off Stay tuned for more details. for Mandalay in Myanmar. Ronald, Stephy, Lit and Nick went to a monastery school there to More information give classes in Sudoku, recorder-playing, laughter Kaylie Wong tel 3979 3979 www.M21.hk/TravelMission yoga and healthy habits. The team also spent time Go to http://youtu.be/amWK0RNoyY0 to see the Siberia video exploring Mandalay’s temples and historical sites.
pp Schoolchildren watching the M21 Travel Mission video
pp (left to right) Vivian and Ellie
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New books from HKFYG in 2014 Turning Point
My dream, my way
重新出發
那些年……升學夢
ISBN: 978-988-12444-2-0 Price: $80
ISBN: 978-988-12444-4-4 Price: $80
7 winners of the “The Turning Point - Youth Improvement Award 2013" share their stories. By understanding the experience of these young people, we can encourage others in similar circumstances be more positive.
12 real cases of young people’s choices of what to study. Inspiration for others who need to decide about education or careers.
Easy LEAD – The Scratch 2.0 Musketeers Easy LEAD 創意程式設計： Scratch 2.0 遊俠傳
ISBN: 978-988-12444-7-5 Price: $80
ISBN: 978-988-12445-0-5 Price: $80 This book is based on the popular software “Scratch 2.0”. Useful for primary and secondary students, parents and teachers with interesting adventures stories as illustration.
The Right Turn 贏在轉折點 ISBN: 978-988-12444-1-3 Price: $90 19 Felix Wong Youth Award winners share their stories of overcoming hardship and difficulties. Readers will discover how challenges can be faced.
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Legal Guide for Business Starters II 創業法律指南 II
8 chapters analyze the common issues that business starters may encounter. Highly recommended for those involved in entrepreneurship.
Key Success of Outstanding Young Entrepreneurs 創業成功匙 ISBN: 978-988-12445-1-2 Price: $100 15 winners of the HSBC Youth Business Award share their success stories with our readers, encouraging others to start up in business. Readers may find out more by scanning the QR code at the end of each story.
Neighbourhood First Radio Drama 鄰舍第一•愛里? 不理? 廣播音樂劇 ISBN: 978-988-12444-5-1 Price: $90
智在調解
The book is based on a popular radio drama created by HKFYG about relationships between neighbours. It is illustrated by comics drawn by young people.
ISBN: 978-988-12444-8-2 Price: $80
Volunteering around the World
Mediation skills are useful in many fields. Here, theories of mediation and actual cases help readers understand more.
義遊未盡
Understanding Mediation: A Guide Book to Theories and Cases
Seasoned with Love: A Collection of Home Recipes 家傳「滋」譜 ISBN: 978-988-12444-3-7 Price: $90 A delicious meal with your family is a memorable occasion. 18 young people share 40 recipes and stories.
ISBN: 978-988-12444-9-9 Price: $90 The author, Clive Lee, did voluntary work in 6 countries, Ghana, Argentina, China, Cambodia, Thailand and India. He shares his experiences and memories.
September 2014 | Youth Hong Kong
HKFYG
Membership and Volunteering
M
embership and volunteering services at HKFYG are being integrated and new platforms will enable the Federation to connect with our members and foster a culture of volunteering through apps and mobile sites. Membership campaigns
New platforms HKFYG app § Embraces news of all HKFYG’s service units § Makes for simple access to: « Easymember.hk « Easyvolunteer.hk
Easymember.hk § Includes news about events, applications and payment § Makes members’ personal profiles available § Enables record-keeping on e-cards
¬Signature events for members or volunteers § Summer Volunteer Project § International Volunteer Day ¬ Regular promotions on social media and other channels § Free quotas for courses § Free gifts for messages on HKFYG Youth S.P.O.T. Magazine’s facebook page ¬Membership offers § Discounts and complimentary gifts from our partners § HKTDC Food Expo tickets § Member bonus points scheme
q Examples of free gifts
Opportunities for volunteering Easyvolunteer.hk § Supports volunteers’ searches for suitable service opportunities § Contains the most updated service information § Shares volunteering experiences § Serves as a bridge between HKFYG, other NGOs and
« Happy Farm 2014 § Summer programme with children and families at AsiaWorld-Expo including exhibitions,stalls and handicraft workshops
« Summer Volunteers for Glass Recycling Action 2014 § Save the Earth programme with added value: recycling glass bottles from streets and bins.
47
Youth Hong Kong | September 2014
HKFYG
Redefining youth work for schools
T
he Federation’s counselling services for students are undergoing restructuring and will soon be available on two e-platforms and at three centres. The aim is to create new channels and pathways taking HKFYG counselling into schools.
Strategies • Provision of new services and products • Improved communication and networking with schools • Strengthened support for schools and teachers • Expanded impact in the schools sector
Positioning for this new departure is focused on student-centered services for those in need. The purpose is to connect with all Hong Kong students, teachers and schools that seek advice and respond by helping them to tackle the many hurdles and problems associated with growing up, thus encouraging them to build self-confidence.
Three centres for HKFYG’s school youth work Study Planning Centre • For students needing consultations, training programmes, and workshops…etc • For students needing help to match their personal qualities with study paths Youth Emotional Support Centre • Offering evaluation tools to identify students with emotional problems • Providing prevention services Media Counselling Centre • Developing and using new media • Raising awareness of new media’s risks by enhancing Be NetWise
Platforms M21 School Net WITH
• Schoolike.hk: a brand new campaign to promote a positive atmosphere on school campuses • Enhanced M21 School Net channels: consolidated and integrated with enhanced content • Training and courses on the new media for students
Teachlike.hk WITH
• Youth culture news and youth trends research • Resources for teachers, including materials on
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} the emotionally disturbed } love and sex education } learning difficulties } study paths } delinquency } new media • Exchange of experience • Continuous learning resources
More information at http://mcc.hkfyg.org.hk/ http://ssw.hkfyg.org.hk/
September 2014 | Youth Hong Kong
HKFYG
C C
Ode to Joy bringing youth and classical music together
I
n early December this year, a “first-of-its-kind” large-scale music outreach and education programme will reach its climax. Its goal is to bring the younger generation, classical music and the arts together and send a clear message that music can unite people and bring positive energy to all.
Entitled Ode to Joy [ 譜 Teen 同唱 ], the programme emphasizes a crossover of art genres including opera, ballet, animations and short films. It has large-scale participation which builds a sense of community and this is the culmination of a 6-month series of community activities. The grand multi-media concert at the Hong Kong Coliseum on 6 December, 4pm-5.30pm, is in six musical sections: a prelude, rhapsody, march, concerto, variation and finale. These are inspired by works of Bach, Bizet, Mozart and Tchaikovsky, and Beethoven. The musical arrangements and interpretation are reflections on growing up, the pressures, connectivity, creativity, persistence and joy of youth. Up to 10,000 young singers will join well-known Hong Kong tenor Warren Mok, Rao Lan (soprano), Samantha Chong (mezzo-soprano) and Gong Dongjian (bass), plus the C All Stars and Alfred Hui, in Ludwig van Beethoven’s magnificent Ode to Joy. They will be accompanied by the Global Symphony Orchestra conducted by Mak Ka Lok in an effort to set a new Guinness World Record for “joint singing by the most people broadcast live through radio.”
Artistic Advisors Warren Mok, Barbara Fei, Chiu Tsang-hei Chorus Director Alex Tam Major Sponsor The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust Strategic Partner Lee Hysan Foundation Venue Sponsor Leisure and Cultural Services Department Organizers HKFYG, Opera Hong Kong and RTHK Ode to Joy is a poem written by German poet, playwright and historian Friedrich Schiller (pictured left), in the summer of 1785. It celebrated the brotherhood and unity of all mankind. The poem was set to music by Ludwig van Beethoven (pictured right) in the final movement of his Ninth (Choral) Symphony, first performed 190 years ago in 1824.
More information m21.hk/odetojoy
Contact Iris Sham tel 3755 7107
Organizers:
Major Sponsor:
Venue Sponsor:
Strategic Partner:
Supporting Organization:
49
Youth Hong Kong | September 2014
HKFYG
Congratulations! Michelle Kwan, with her teammates from the HKFYG Hong Kong Melody Makers, won the Best Vocal award at the first Incheon World A Cappella Competition last month. Competing against contestants from Taiwan, South Korea and Japan, the line-up of seven experienced vocalists gave an exciting 12-minute performance at the Millennium Hall, Incheon International Airport.
They kicked off with an acoustic mimesis of a coastal soundscape, followed by a nostalgic tune sung in German and Korean featuring the smooth, warm voices of the entire ensemble. Then came a Chinese classic where the theme – willpower – was manifested by Michelle’s strong voice accompanied by vocal Chinese musical concepts. Illustrating the versatility of the group, the last of the set was a fast-paced a cappella number for all to share. The HKFYG Hong Kong Melody Makers have performed in Hong Kong and overseas for nearly 10 years with sponsorship from The Dragon Foundation. Sign up now for the Hong Kong International a Cappella Contest 2014 2 & 16 November. Deadline 18 October Details at acappella.hkfyg.org.hk Made possible by the HKFYG Jockey Club a cappella Education Programme with exclusively sponsorship from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.
pp (left to right, back to front) Gabriel Lee, Hopeful Chan, Jeffrey Mok, Joey Cheng, Cherry Yeung, Una Pang, Michelle Kwan
More information Gabriel Lee, Music Administrator, tel 2395 5753
Good news from World Green Mech Contest! This contest was brought to Hong Kong from Taiwan by HKFYG in 2010 and the best 2014 teams performed excellently at the Worlds in Taipei this year. They won eight medals with highly complex models that applied scientific principles and green energy concepts. The Hong Kong and Macau Lutheran Church Primary School (pictured) was champion and Tin Shui Wai Methodist Primary School was 1st runner-up in the primary division. Pok Oi Hospital Chan Kai Memorial College (pictured) was 1st runner-up in the junior secondary division.
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pp Hong Kong and Macau Lutheran Church Primary School Champion, Primary Division
pp Pok Oi Hospital Chan Kai Memorial College Excellent Scientific Application, Senior Secondary Division
World Green Mech Contest Winners 2014 Well done to all! School
Division
Award
Hong Kong and Macau Lutheran Church Primary School
Primary
Champion
Tin Shui Wai Methodist Primary School
Primary
1st Runner-up
Pok Oi Hospital Chan Kai Memorial College
Junior Secondary
1st Runner-up
Tai Po Old Market Public School (Plover Cove)
Primary
Superior Scientific Application
CNEC Christian College
Junior Secondary
Excellent Green Energy Design
Raimondi College
Senior Secondary
Superior Green Energy Design
Queen's College
Senior Secondary
Outstanding Green Energy Design
Pok Oi Hospital Chan Kai Memorial College
Senior Secondary
Excellent Scientific Application
Organized in Hong Kong by: HKFYG Centre for Creative Science and Technology More information Benny Cheng tel 2561 6149 http://ccst.hkfyg.org.hk
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Publisher : The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups
香港青年協會
www.hkfyg.org.hk．www.m21.hk．www.u21.hk
Youth Hong Kong: 21/F, The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Building, 21 Pak Fuk Road, North Point, Hong Kong Tel : 3755 7084．3755 7108．Fax : 3755 7155．Email : youthhongkong@hkfyg.org.hk．Website : youthhongkong.hkfyg.org.hk
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