YHK 11 4 Neighbours always matter by Youth Hong Kong

a quarterly journal from the hongkong federation of youth groups

December 2019

Volume 11 Number 4

Youth HONG KONG

Neighbours always matter

Contents

OVERVIEW 4 Why neighbourhoods matter

December 2019 | Youth Hong Kong

YOUTH WATCH 6 What’s in a neighbourhood? PERSPECTIVES 8 Sai Wan Ho Taking care of each other 10 Tseung Kwan O More than smiles 12 Sham Shui Po Change and continuity 14 Shatin A town transformed 16 Fanling Parents at playtime 18 Tung Chung Catching the joy 20 Tuen Mun and Yau Ma Tei No longer strangers 22 Lamma An island apart

Volume 11 Number 4

4-5 OVERVIEW

6-7 YOUTH WATCH

8-23 PERSPECTIVES

SERVICES 24 NEIGHBOURHOOD First for Community Spirit CITY SPACE 28 Better for cyclists, now or never? Hazel Wong ARTS & CULTURE 30 Imagination, fiction and gaming Simon John

24-27 SERVICES

HKFYG 32 Family communication Parent Support Network 34 Wellness Counselling Services 36 Future lives, future jobs Youth Employment Network 38 Hostels Taipo and Fanling 40 Combatting drug addiction Youth Crime Prevention Centre 44 Youth IDEAS reports Financial literacy; Overseas work experience 46 Hong Kong 200 47 Flag Day

YOUTH HONG KONG published quarterly by The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups EDITORIAL BOARD Andy Ho (Chair) Elaine Morgan (Contributing Editor) Ada Chau (Managing Editor) Angela Ngai Lakshmi Jacotă Hsu Siu-man Miranda Ho Christa Cheung William Chung Hon Adviser Veronica Pearson 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 OVERVIEW & INTERVIEWS Elaine Morgan, Ada Chau, Crystal Chan & Sum-yi Lee TRANSLATION Ada Chau, William Chung & Angela Ngai PHOTOGRAPHS By editorial team, acknowledged as captioned, stock images or in public domain TRADEMARKS All brand names and product names are registered trademarks. Youth Hong Kong is not associated with

28-29 CITY SPACE

32-47

30-31 ARTS & CULTURE

any product or vendor mentioned in articles. ARTWORK & DESIGN DG3 & HKFYG COVER DESIGN DG3 LAYOUT & PRINTING DG3 ISSN 2071-3193 (Print) ISSN 2519-1098 (Online) 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 7096, 3755 7108 FAX 3755 7155 EMAIL youthhongkong@hkfyg.org.hk

HKFYG

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Ada Chau 3755 7108 The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups was founded in 1960 and is the city’s largest youth service organization. More than 25,000 activities are organized by over 80 units annually with attendance of nearly 6 million. Services Camps, Leisure, Cultural and Sports Services, Counselling, Creativity education and STEM, Education and continuous learning, Employment and entrepreneurship, Exchange, Leadership training, M21 Multimedia, Parenting, Publications, Research and Publications, Volunteering, Youth at Risk, Youth SPOTs WEB hkfyg.org.hk m21.hk ONLINE DONATIONS giving.hkfyg.org.hk

Editorial

Kwok Ho Wong Eddie flic.kr p QmYkQJ.jpg

December 2019 | Youth Hong Kong

In August, we chose neighbourhood as the theme for the December issue. In the context of everything that has happened in Hong Kong, it was a timely choice, giving us the opportunity to find out about the daily lives of Hong Kong citizens in various districts and to gain a glimpse of their beliefs, attitudes and concerns. These personal stories show the true heart of Hong Kong, as people carry on with their daily lives, rely on and help each other with a durable neighbourhood spirit. What these stories also reflect is a strong, shared sense of community and the deep solidarity through which everyone expresses how much they care about their home, in spite of all the challenges that they face. For these reasons, I believe that this issue of Youth Hong Kong is a very special one. We are a resilient people, determined and committed to our homes and neighbours. While we all fully understand that Hong Kong still has a long way to go to resolve the issues that resulted in a very difficult six months, we very much believe that we can restore trust and find a way forward for the common good. Neighbours always Matter: The Federation stands by this, and as we enter a period of celebration and joy, we invite all our neighbours, close and far to stand by this too.

Andy Ho Wing-cheong Executive Director, HKFYG December 2019 3

Overview December 2019 | Youth Hong Kong

Why neighbourhoods matter In today’s globalized society, a sense of neighbourhood is very important. It can create cohesion, be a source of social capital and promote a sense of belonging. In challenging times, a home neighbourhood can also provide a refuge and that’s a very good reason for putting neighbourhood first on a list of community priorities. However, in high-rise cities like Hong Kong, traditional forms of neighbourhood contact have changed, as have ways of keeping in touch. Many people have less face-to-face communication than in the past because tower blocks do not encourage neighbourly chatting. A corridor full of closed doors and the sound of metal security gratings is off-putting and uninviting. In fact, it appears to be the exception, not the rule these days, for Hong Kong people to know the family next door. Sometimes, the proximity of so many neighbours can be overwhelming, but many would agree that regular, 4

neighbourly social interaction can offer comfort and a sense of wellbeing. One always hopes for good neighbours who will help when they can. Developing a relationship first is important, even if that begins with a simple greeting in a lift or a quick chat in the lobby. Making the first step may not always be easy, but often it is a shared concern for common services that brings people together. This can include the assurance that refuse will be collected regularly, or that streets are not potholed and pavements are level, or that local parks and public sit-outs are kept clean and available to everyone, or especially that transportation runs smoothly. Most important, however, is access to health and education services, as well as sports, recreational and leisure facilities, and neighbourhood wet and dry markets, along with local dai pai dongs (open air food stalls) and cha chaan tengs (or ‘tea’ restaurants). Volunteering to assist the more vulnerable in the

• Neighbourhoods represent home, belonging and community. • Communities build up trust when neighbours have shared interests and concerns. • In spite of challenges, most people are proud of the neighbourhoods where they live • 鄰舍代表了家園、歸屬感和社區。 • 然而，很多香港人並不認識他們的鄰居。 • 儘管人與人之間存在差異，但亦有相同。良好的鄰里社區關係有助建立信任。

neighbourhood, especially the elderly or underprivileged is another way to meet and interact with neighbours. This is why the Federation set up its NEIGHBOURHOOD First initiative, a programme with year-round activities and projects that bring people together. All these different ways of connecting see rising levels of trust which then provide a sense of security and belonging, along with a sense of pride, and can create a sustained sense of neighbourliness. As with all relationships, there is no one type of neighbourly behaviour. However, what the interviews in this issue show is that most people feel a strong sense of identity and belonging to their home environs. Each story offers a refreshing and positive perspective on the neighbourhoods and the people who live there. This juxtaposes the general stereotyping of tower block living next to faceless strangers.

Instead, what we see are examples of shared issues and very personal reflections on change and opportunities. These could be illustrative of any city in the world, but perhaps what makes them uniquely Hong Kong is the speed in which many neighbourhoods have changed, due to development or gentrification, along with the effects of six months of demonstrations, transportation disruptions and shop closures. In spite of everything, the deep rooted sense of belonging to the place where they live remains for Hong Kong people. As Mother Teresa said, “I want you to be concerned about your next door neighbour. Do you know your next door neighbour?” Even if one cannot answer literally, the attaching one’s identity to that area is very important. That is why neighbourhoods matter.

Youth watch December 2019 | Youth Hong Kong

What’s in a neighbourhood?

The meaning of neighbourhood varies from place to place but a common definition is a geographically localized community within a larger city, town, suburb or rural area. “Neighbourhoods … are the spatial units in which face-to-face social interactions occur, the personal settings and situations where residents seek to realize common values, socialize youth and maintain effective social control.”1 Neighbourhoods are also often the focus of efforts to provide local services for youth and coordinated approaches to low-income populations.2

In Cantonese, the term kai fong ( 街坊 ) refers to neighbours.3,4 It synthesizes the concepts of community and neighbourhood. The prefix “kai” literally means street and “fong” refers to the place where one lives and works. Thus, kai fong represents the network of relationships that build a system of mutual aid upon which one depends and places one�s trust. Originally, the kai fongs provided low-cost or free education and healthcare for refugees from mainland China. By the late 1950s, there were 28 of them in Hong Kong. Their main aim

was to serve residents of specific neighbourhoods, and in the early 1960s, kai fong associations extended their services to legal support and environmental protection. In mainland China, the term neighbourhood is generally used for the urban administrative division immediately below the district level.5 Neighbourhoods can encompass 2,000 to 10,000 families. In most urban areas of China, the terms for neighbourhood, community, residential community, residential unit and residential quarter have the same meaning.

In Australia, the terms localities and suburbs are often used to substitute for neighbourhood. In Britain, neighbourhood is used informally to refer to a small area within a town or city. The label is commonly used to describe functions such as neighbourhood policing or Neighbourhood Watch schemes. In some places the equivalent organization is the parish, though a parish may have several neighbourhoods within it. In Canada and the US, neighbourhoods are often given official or semi-official status through associations, again for policing or watches.

Do you know the neighbours? Australia

Singapore

● 82% believed their parents were better neighbours than they were themselves

● 23% said they exchanged greetings with their neighbours more than three times a week

A survey of 2,100 Australians found:

● 59% said they never talk to their neighbours ● 38% did not know their neighbours at all

● 73% said they would like to get to know their neighbours better

An annual poll of over 3,000 Singaporeans found:

● 11% did so more than three times a week ● 26% wanted greater neighbourliness

● 15% said they preferred to maintain their privacy

● The rest said it was unnecessary to socialize with neighbours

● 50%+ rarely spoke to their neighbours and did not feel part of a good neighbourly community

● 57% of Americans know only some of their neighbours

A poll found:

● A similar number did not know the names of any children living next door ● 55% did not know their neighbours’ professions ● 68% described their neighbours as “strangers”

A survey by the Pew Research Center revealed that: ● 26% say they know most of them

● 34% of 65+ year-olds and 20% of 18-29 year-olds say they know most of their neighbours ● 23% of adults under 30 don’t know any of their neighbours

Read more • news.com.au/breaking-news/most-aussies-not-being-neighbourly/news-story/0a080596a6f58e398114825b1aca032e • straitstimes.com/singapore/sporeans-prefer-privacy-to-mingling-with-neighbours-poll • independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/britons-neighbours-strangers-uk-community-a8373761.html • pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/08/15/facts-about-neighbors-in-u-s/

Sources 1. Schuck, A & Rosenbuam, D. Promoting Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods: What research tells us about intervention. Washington, DC: The Aspen Institute, 2006. 2. Kutash, K et al Community and neighborhood-based services for youth. In: S. Henggeler, S & Santor, AB: Innovative Approaches to Difficult to Treat Populations. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press, 1997. 3. Wong, A. The Kaifong Associations and the society of Hong Kong. Taipei: Oriental Cultural Service, 1972. 4. Lau Siu-kai. Society and Politics in Hong Kong. Chinese University Press, 1984. 5. en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Administrative _divisions_of_China

Perpectives December 2019 | Youth Hong Kong

Sai Wan Ho taking care of each other by Crystal Chau and Sum-yi Lee

Noël Ip and her mother have lived in neighbouring Sai Wan Ho buildings since 1994. During their 25 years there, they have built strong bonds with their neighbours, many of whom are now quite elderly. “When my two kids were born, everyone in the building knew about it,” says Noël, a programme worker with Tung Wah. “Our neighbours always say hello when they meet, in the lobby, the corridors and lifts. Outside, they stop and chat in the street and the shops. They talk about daily life, tell each other about their families, anything interesting that concerns themselves and the neighbourhood.” “People really care for each other round here,” Noël explains. “When our next-door neighbour had a heart attack about a year ago, Danny, my husband, was at my mother’s home preparing the family’s dinner. He is a registered nurse and he rushed to start CPR as soon as possible while I called an ambulance. Even though the hospital did their utmost, our neighbour eventually died. He was an elderly man and we knew his family well so at least we could offer them emotional support,” explains Noël. Another of their neighbours used to run a small barber shop on a street corner nearby. Mrs Ip, Noël’s mother, 8

took Noël and her little brother to that barber when they were young. “They had all their haircuts there,” says Mrs Ip, “but then he decided to go back to mainland China. He was born and raised there but all of us miss him still and wish we knew exactly where he went.” It is Mrs Ip who takes her grandsons, Mario and Chico, to the wet market when their parents are at work. “They are seven and six years old now,” Mrs Ip continues. “All the stall owners know their names and want to know what they’ve been doing at school. They also make sure the boys have a healthy treat to take home now and again – like a mango or a few cherry tomatoes.” For years, the family have been going out to the same neighbourhood restaurant. “The owner has watched Noël grow up, get married and have kids,” says Mrs Ip. “She makes the most delicious dishes we know,” Noël confirms. “Whenever we celebrate, whether it is a birthday or a festival, she celebrates with us.” The staff at a nearby snack stall also know the family. “If Noël ever looked unhappy, they would give her free fish balls or a bottle of soy milk. If I thought it was happening too often, I would go and pay them back.

• The Ip family find strong bonds are evident among the people of Sai Wan Ho.

• 葉氏一家認為西灣河擁有良好和緊密的鄰舍關係。

• Neighbours are of the traditional kind who look after one another across the generations.

• 居民不論世代均樂於互相照應。

• Even in troubled times the Ips find mutual support.

We trust each other and if I ever want to buy something and don’t have enough money with me, they never hesitate. ‘Bring it next time,’ they say, with a big smile. “There is no question of any of us ever cheating.” Whenever there are community activities, the family joins in. “The District Council organizes charity collections,” says Noël. “I love knitting and sometimes there is a donation of handicrafts. My knitting goes to the needy in our neighbourhood. I see old ladies in the sweaters I have made and feel so glad that I have helped them stay warm in winter.” “Living here is not like living in those new towns where people close their doors to their neighbours,” says Mrs Ip. “We know each other here. We make sure of that. It matters to us.” Noël emphasizes that her neighbours are like parents. “In Sai Wan Ho, we say hello to every newcomer and always have the time to share our stories.” All the Ip family often discuss the current Hong Kong situation. Still, despite the usual welcome they offer strangers they reacted strongly when some young people in their building argued with them in the lobby one day. “Protestors in black were running past the entrance to our building and some of the young residents just let them in. We stopped them,” says Noël, “and finally agreed that it should not be allowed.”

• 即使面對艱難時間，他們仍然守望相助。

Noel, who identifies herself as “yellow ribbon”, believes both the protesters and the police have done wrong. “But however wrong the protesters are, the police should not shoot live ammunition as they did that day in Sai Wan Ho.” After this incident, the district saw much tension and conflict. “These days, my kids both have skin allergies from the tear gas and I have breathing problems. At weekends we prefer the New Territories to staying in Sai Wan Ho.” Mrs Ip says she doesn’t take sides though she is generally pro-democrat. “I stay at home when the protesters are around,” she says. Noël hopes the damaged public facilities will soon be fixed, “especially the pedestrian crossings which elderly people really need.” Despite the troubles, they love Sai Wan Ho. Noël points out that “Our neighbours grew stronger bonds with one another after the shooting incident. Many of us will fight for our rights. We help and support each other. We care and pray for our community”, says Noël. She believes that volunteering makes young people more aware of other people’s needs. “My greatest hope is that my children will live in a caring environment like this all their lives. We truly live together, think about each other’s problems and joys and know how important it is to take care of each other,” she says.

Perpectives December 2019 | Youth Hong Kong

Tseung Kwan O more than smiles Helen lived in Aberdeen as a child but moved to Tseung Kwan O. “About six or seven of my friends lived in TKO before I moved here but I seldom visit them. I have a few relatives living in the area but most of the people I know here now belong to the same local running club as me. We all know exactly where each other lives and what we do for a living. They are all different ages and when I first joined, they would tell me where to shop and eat and now we always exchange information when TKO is in the news. They invite me to visit them as we are so near to each other. I get home from work at around 6pm and then have dinner so it is difficult to meet friends who live far away, but I can always find a running buddy to train with and it’s not too late to get back home afterwards.” Once known as Junk Bay, the big new town of Tseung Kwan O was built on reclaimed land in the 1980s. It has over 300,000 residents in many new, large private and public housing estates. They are dependent on the MTR for transport, the only other link being the TKO tunnel to the town of Kwun Tong.

Although Helen now knows plenty of other people in the TKO area, she barely knows the people living next door. “I know that the family next door is called Ng, but that’s only because I am always seeing ‘Ng’s family’ among the local wifi connections when I am at home. One day, I talked to their home help and confirmed that their surname is indeed Ng. There are two other families living in the next corridor who have children. They sometimes play the violin and I give them red packets when I see them in the lift lobby at Lunar New Year, but otherwise we rarely speak to each other and if we do it is only to say good morning.” Nevertheless, there are times when community spirit is much more evident. “Problems tend to bring people together. Our block was without running water for a week and when I met others going down to collect water from tanks outside, we joked about it, even when the shortage lasted for nearly a week. Helen remembers fondly her days growing up in Aberdeen. “When I was just a girl living in Shek Pai Wan, up the hill from central Aberdeen, I used to go next door to sit with an elderly lady. We also used to open our own front door and chat with people passing through the corridor. My brother and I used to play in the common area of our

• Helen’s home provides all she needs: friends, facilities and a sense of belonging.

• Helen 在將軍澳的家提供了她一切所需 ──朋友、社區設施和歸屬感。

• Although she is not familiar with her next-door neighbours, they happily share day-to-day problems.

• 雖然 Helen 跟鄰居不太熟絡，但仍然樂意分享日常生活問題。

• She is convinced that despite the divisions that emerged in recent months there is a stronger sense and belonging than before.

• 她認為，近月社會事件可能令社區內出現意見分化，但社區意識和歸屬感卻又同時建立起來。

floor, where other children would join us so it was quite easy to make friends there, and in the park nearby. These days, in privately-owned housing, children go to play in the clubhouse. Perhaps that’s where they make friends. “I don’t know whether it is a different style of building from the one where I grew up, but now I find it rather awkward and silent when I meet other people waiting for the lift on my floor, Helen confesses. “I smile and try to think of something to say. Easiest are non-personal topics, like the weather, traffic congestion and so in. If it is the children with their mother, I try to ask how old they are now and where they go to school but I do wish people in TKO would talk to each other more rather than just smile. Asked about her greatest hope for her neighbourhood, Helen says she wishes the spirit that began to build this summer could extend beyond politics. “But I fear that many wounds will never be healed and people with opposing views will never make peace. I remember the fear I felt when people near here attacked one other. It was horrible and I sincerely hope that none of my neighbours would ever hurt each other like that. Sometimes I don’t feel safe enough to go out at night by myself. I have never felt that before.”

The experience of living in TKO throughout the protests has changed both Helen and her community. “In the past I didn’t really feel that I belonged in this district. I always thought I was an Aberdeen person. Now, despite the problems, I really think that TKO is my home and I wish I could do something to help restore peace. I believe that Hong Kong people as a whole have a much greater sense of belonging than ever before. We used to think that local people only cared about opportunities and money. Now, it is different.” Helen’s pro-establishment parents-in-law live just two streets away. “In normal times, we seldom talked about politics. Now, we cannot avoid it. Angry about the strikes and damage to the MTR station, they do not understand the protesters. They think they are selfish and inconsiderate.” On the other hand, Helen says, “It has become obvious that Hong Kong people, especially the younger generation, are willing to give up a lot for freedom and justice. This has brought some of us closer together and we look after each other as a community, not just as people who live close by.”

Perspectives December 2019 | Youth Hong Kong

Sham Shui Po change and continuity • Fannie, who has lived in Sham Shui Po all her life, has a strong sense of belonging.

• Fannie 自小在深水埗成長，十分喜愛該區的人和事。

• Although there have been many changes, she welcomes the mixing of old and new.

• 多年來深水埗改變甚多，她樂見這新舊交融的社區。

• She now lives in private housing and knows fewer neighbours but she works nearby and many relatives are there too.

• 居於自置物業，跟鄰居關係不如以往親密，但對社區建立的深厚感情，使她希望可以一直住在深水埗區。

When I was growing up, I lived in Mei Ho House. My grandparents owned a shop in the local Pei Ho Street Market, selling fruit and, later on, dried seafood. Many of our relatives live in Sham Shui Po as well. It is so familiar and I have always loved it here. My sister and I were quite “famous” among our neighbours, not only because we used to hang out all the time at our grandparents’ shop in the street market, but because people love to play with twins. Even now, after growing up and moving out from Mei Ho House a very long time ago, many local people still say, “Oh look, it’s the twins from the 6th floor!” It is very funny and gives me a warm feeling towards them and the place. 12

I used to play with schoolmates who were neighbours but also with my cousins who lived nearby. There are nine of us, all of a similar age. It certainly is a big family and we have always had a good relationship with people living nearby. In Mei Ho House, we used to open the iron grille at our front door so that we could chat with whoever passed by. I remember clearly how happy we were then. When my parents were busy, they would ask the neighbours to take care of us. Everyone trusted each other and sometimes we shared the food we cooked. Later, when Mei Ho House was closed, we bought a flat in Sham Shui Po through the home ownership scheme. It’s nice and faces the park but although we like it, when

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we compare our neighbours here with those in Mei Ho House, I cannot say we have such good relationships. One reason is that people are now concerned more about their privacy. Even we do not open our door as we did in the past. Also, in the old days, as long as you paid the rent, you could live in a public housing flat for many years. That meant we knew our neighbours for a long time and got used to having each other there, living side by side. But when we moved to this flat, we found that people bought and sold frequently and there is a far faster turnover of people on every floor. They just come and go so we don’t know them all and cannot build such good friendships as in the past. Now I’m grown up and my twin sister is married with a little boy. For a while, she and her husband rented a flat in Kwai Chung, but eventually they moved back to Sham Shui Po to live with me because they missed the people here so much. They couldn’t find the kind of neighbourhood support in Kwai Chung that they have here. Another reason we like it here is because there is so much creativity. I work on a project in Sham Shui Po that invites young artists to revitalize old buildings by painting their walls. It made such a difference. I have worked on this project for three years already and I love it so much to be able to both live and work in the same area while making a contribution to my own community. In Tai Nan Street, there used to be a lot of old shops selling leather and buttons. Now people are using the empty shops as cafés and that attract a lot of young people. I think it is a good thing as it helps to bring the district alive again. Most people who live around here welcome this as well. It doesn’t affect our daily lives and yet it attracts young people to come and discover the district.

Many new small food stores have opened too and our old neighbours like them. They also like doing some shopping at the old little shops that are still doing business here. I like this kind of mixing of the new and the old. Introducing new things doesn’t have to mean cutting out all the old things. They can live side by side. I have heard it said that there are many people from ethnic minority backgrounds living in Sham Shui Po, but they mainly live in a specific area, far from Mei Ho House or the place I live now and I seldom meet them or have the chance to make friends. There are many mainlanders living in the public estates here now too. We seldom make friends with them either. I don’t think it is a question of discrimination. Perhaps it is because we already have people living nearby with whom we grew up. I love Sham Shui Po not only because I grew up here and know the people here. It’s also because the place is super convenient and the transport is wonderful. I can always get home no matter how late it is. If I have the chance, I will definitely continue living here, but it will not be easy. The price of the flats is so high and difficult for me to afford. A flat selling for HK$2 million when I was a girl is now selling for HK$7 million. Formerly part of Shek Kip Mei Estate, Mei Ho House is the last remaining example of a "Mark I" resettlement block built in the 1950s. It is being preserved as a Grade II historic building and is now used by the Hong Kong Youth Hostels Association as their City Hostel.

Perspectives December 2019 | Youth Hong Kong

Shatin

a town transformed

• Stephanie values Shatin’s convenience and the town’s recently acquired sense of unity.

• Stephanie 認為沙田區十分方便，而最近整個社區的凝聚力更顯著。

• Although she has few friends living in the district, what she misses most are small local shops.

• 雖然有朋友住在沙田區，但她最懷念的，是以往的街坊小店。

• She lives for the day and enjoys what she has.

• 她仍然嚮往安居於此，珍惜在這裡的美好時光。

Stephanie is a single child who has lived in Shatin with her parents since she was five. “My grandma, who lives a few blocks away, is so different from me and the rest of my family. She made friends with all the people living near her. She knows what their jobs are, the names of their grandchildren and even knew how much they have in the bank!” When asked why she is so different, Stephanie replies, “I think that in the 1960s they felt a greater need to make friends with their neighbours.”

A bright young lawyer typical of her generation, Stephanie loves the environment and the convenience of Shatin but doesn’t know many people there. Like a lot of Hong Kong people, she barely knows her neighbours. “I don’t think that I need them like Grandma does, nor do I particularly want to get to know them. I think it was different for older generations. It’s unlikely that my life would change a bit if my neighbours changed.”

She says in some ways Shatin no longer feels like home. “It is full of chain stores that all look alike. They sell exactly the same goods everywhere in Hong Kong. The old local shops, usually owned and run by local people, served local customers. They had a unique character that you couldn’t find anywhere else. Almost all of them have disappeared.” Even New Town Plaza, a shopping mall built near Shatin MTR station, has really changed a lot, Stephanie says. “Until recently, there was no local “feel” anymore and there were always thousands of mainland tourists so I avoided going there for a while.” Stephanie confesses that most of her reasons for liking Shatin are not related to the other people living there. “We have a library, a running track and a swimming pool. We can reach everywhere in Hong Kong quickly by public transport. However, I expect the community here will age quickly because private housing is too expensive for young people so they will move out. For now, I like its convenience and environment. That’s more important to me than my neighbours.” Shatin has changed again recently, but for the better Stephanie thinks. “There are still many people but not

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On the other hand, she cares about the ways her shopping centre has changed. “In my school days, there were many small stores where we used to wander after classes. They have all gone. I remember a comic shop in the mall. The owner didn’t mind if we just browsed and left without buying anything. And there was a local cha chaan teng café where the boss was so nice to us. We loved him. But then he retired and nobody similar has replaced him.”

Shatin is the most densely populated part of Hong Kong’s New Territories. With its satellite town, Ma On Shan, it has over 630,000 residents in an area of about 36 km2. Sources en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallel_trading_in_Hong_Kong

many tourists. I like it there again and I think there is greater unity because during the protests many of us share similar goals, although that is not true for everyone.” Although there have been some inconveniences, when the station is closed, for example, she says the protestors do not cause any safety concerns for her. “Only when there are conflicts with the police does Shatin become unsafe because it is unpredictable. Members of my family do complain, mainly because of disrupted transport and they do not support the non-peaceful protests. Mum is concerned about the dangers of tear gas. She sometimes avoids going to New Town Plaza. My views are different so we avoid discussing the issues.” On the whole, however, Stephanie finds that people talk to each other more in her neighbourhood. “People living next door to each other don’t necessarily have anything in common and so they think there is no need to get to know each other. Now, there are reasons for talking to each other more, even if it is only about traffic problems and blocked streets, aspects of the protests that we all share. We have all had extraordinary experiences.”

Perspectives December 2019 | Youth Hong Kong

Fanling Parents at playtime • Kathy, a parent who has lived in North District all her life, takes part in a neighbourhood play programme organised by HKFYG. • She enjoys it so much that she volunteered to help organize it and then brought other members of her family along as well. • Talking about how it builds bonds and trust, she says it also provides fun and encourages people of all ages to help each other.

• 住在北區的 Kathy，可謂「生於斯，長於斯」。除了參加香港青年協會「北區小節」活動外，最近還成為該活動的家長義工。 • 她享受協助舉辦活動的感覺，亦熱衷於將家庭成員帶進義工服務。 • 除了能協助鄰舍建立關係及信任外，她認為活動能帶來快樂，並鼓勵大家發揮互助精神。

I grew up and went to school in Sheung Shui and moved to Fanling when I got married. As children, we used to play in a local park or playground after school. It’s too crowded there now but I do sometimes take my little 3-year-old boy to North District Park, an important place for many local people who want to relax.

Whenever there are upcoming activities I help out by calling the other participants and then I help to organize the games. Other parents help to take care of my son while I am busy and sometimes my mother and husband come to play as well. We all help now and as well as enjoying the games I think we all get on better and communicate better.

Now we also go to play at sessions of the HKFYG programme. They are sometimes in a Sheung Shui garden or at the Cheung Wah Estate basketball court or at North District Park’s basketball and soccer-cum-handball court. When I first found out about them my son and I just enjoyed all the fun of playing different games with the other children. Later, when the social worker said they needed more helpers, I really wanted to have the chance to try.

We seldom play like this at home. I think sharing so much fun helps my son in particular. He even tries to help organize the games too sometimes, even though he is only three. It’s great to see how active and willing he has become to help the other children. Perhaps what matters most to me is that helping to organize the playtimes means contributing to other

peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s enjoyment, not just our own. There was one time when used chalk to draw on the floor of the basketball court and football pitch. It was just a simple game, but I remember how much all the people, regardless of age, enjoyed it. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great for everyone, however old they are. Afterwards, everyone pitches in and helps to clean up and that can be super fun too. This kind of activity brings people together and makes it easier to get to know them. The games break the ice and get people chatting. What makes the whole programme worthwhile is the way it links people in the neighbourhood and creates bonds. I think it also helps to relieve the stress so many Hong Kong people feel today.

This neighbourhood HKFYG programme in North District is partnered by the Social Welfare Department. More details Email chw@hkfyg.org.hk Tel 2669 9111

Perspectives

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Tung Chung catching the joy

“Our first big idea was called FreshOrder,” Vivian explains. “We chose Tung Chung because of the big poverty gap there.” Tung Chung’s relative isolation from the rest of the city also made it a good choice because it is short of resources and facilities. “It is a special place,” Vivian says. “Not only is it far away from Hong Kong’s centre, like Tin Shui Wai, but there is a wide range of people living there. It is near to airport and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, so there are many overseas residents and many mainland tourists.” Yet, as Vivian points out, “Inadequate town planning means that people who live here share 18

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December 2019 | Youth Hong Kong

limited public facilities. Even though a new wet market has been opened, prices are high and local residents have little choice. That’s why we set up FreshOrder. It’s a project to serve people who usually have to go as far as Tsuen Wan to buy food at reasonable prices.” Although senior citizens are entitled to public transport subsidies, it is time-consuming and tiring for them to travel so far. “The same is true for housewives and for them the costs are much higher, so when they go shopping they usually buy enough to last for several days. As a result, much of the food is not fresh when it is eaten and has lower nutritional value,” says Marvis. The

• Vivian and Marvis studied together at Baptist University and now run innovative social programmes for underprivileged people in Tung Chung.

• Vivian 及 Marvis 在香港浸會大學認識，現在一起為東涌社區提供社會創新項目，服務弱勢社群。

• With a group of dedicated volunteers, they bring people together.

• 他們有賴義工團隊的協助，拉近居民的關係。

• Their latest neighbourhood venture is developing an app that empowers housewives who are skilled in cooking.

• 他們現正積極開發手機應用程式，繼續為居民，特別是家庭主婦提供平台，發揮所長。

beauty of FreshOrder was that it involved a partnership with a local NGO that lined up volunteers who went to buy food and shared transport costs. “A few families joined together and one person shopped for them all.” Empowering deprived women in Tung Chung is the aim of their current project, E+Chill. It is an app-based platform under development. It fosters inclusiveness by offering opportunities to underprivileged women with cooking skills. Because it is a local, neighbourhood programme, E+Chill supports non-profit groups based primarily in Tung Chung, Vivian says. “It provides an interactive map with recommended venues and events. The aim is to encourage people to take a break and relax, and users who download the E+Chill app earn coupons when they upload videos of the Tung Chung housewives cooking. “Eventually we hope to extend the project and serve other disadvantaged groups such as those with physical disabilities. We believe it is scalable and has both social value and sustainability.”

Hong Kong people are well known for their team spirit and hard work and Vivian and Marvis are no exception. “For young people like us who have lots of ideas for contributing to society but few resources or connections to do all the groundwork, we always look for ways to link people together.” They are seeking funding to launch the E+Chill app in early 2020.

pp Vivian and Marvis

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Note The term “E+” in Chinese means “now”( 而家 ), so the app means “Let’s chill now”. Tung Chung is on the northwestern coast of Lantau Island in an area that was once an important stronghold against pirates during the Ming and the Qing dynasties. Today it is the location of one of Hong Kong’s most recently built new towns and has both public and private housing estates. Developed as part of the Chek Lap Kok airport programme, it is the first new town on an outlying island and is built partly on reclaimed land. It is known for nearby Disneyland and the Ngong Ping 360 cable car.

Perspectives December 2019 | Youth Hong Kong

Tuen Mun and Yau Ma Tei

no longer strangers • Corn Sim helps young people from ethnic minority families become tour guides within their own communities. • Bring South Asian and local people together. • One of the guides, 22-year-old Ahtsham ( 夏天生 ) fromPakistan, has great energy and passion for his role and says it breaks down barriers between Hong Kong people.

The aims of the Hi! Strangers project are to promote ethnic diversity, connect people from different cultural backgrounds and find an outlet for the great potential of local ethnic minority youth. “We prefer to say coexistence rather than inclusion and would never force anyone to change but hope we all can accept differences while treating each other equally.” Corn believes that lack of acceptance is largely due to lack of understanding. “6% of people from ethnic minority groups live like strangers in Hong Kong. Although it is an international city, stereotyping, discrimination and racism are still normal. Today, there are people in Hong Kong with quite extreme political views and different values concerning justice. Even if we don’t have trust between them, treating people all the same, as human beings, is a basic essential and the responsibility should be shouldered by both government and citizens alike.” Unfortunately, Corn says, “Education about other cultures is absent in our education system and in social policy. Ethnic minorities always keep their distance and remain a mystery. Some people even suspect them 20

• Corn 提供機會讓少數族裔青年成為當區導遊，服務社群。 • 很多少數族裔青年都難以融入社群，計劃「Hi! Strangers」正好協助他們跟本地華裔青年互相認識及了解。 • 22 歲的巴基斯坦籍青年夏天生（Ahtsham）以義工身份積極熱心投入服務，希望打破居民的溝通障礙。

of being criminals or terrorists who are dirty and illeducated.” He notes that although it has become evident that non-Chinese residents support Hong Kong Chinese people, they are still stigmatised. He says that there is no door or window through which people can see and understand non-Chinese people in Hong Kong. “Perceptions have changed for the better recently while everyone dealt with the effects of road blocks, disrupted public transport, tear gas and water cannons. But I think the effect will be short term because any bad news about South Asian residents will override the good for as long as cultural misunderstandings exist.” It was this dilemma that inspired Corn to bring young people from ethnic minority communities together with other Hongkongers. News about the project spread quickly. Ideas and applications from young people flowed in from Wanchai, Tin Shui Wai, Lam Tin and other areas. Tuen Mun and Yau Ma Tei were among the early prototypes for the tours because the programme’s partner has service units there.

pp Ahtsham, tour guide and group

“Now, we co-create walking tours for the district where the young applicants live. Tuen Mun and Yau Ma Tei are very different from one another and can represent neighbourhoods where ethnic minority youth from contrasting backgrounds live – both in public and private housing.” The tours always involve exploring something interesting or inspiring with local Hong Kong people. “All of them are unique and visits to ethnic shops, restaurants and even mosques are included as they are part of the original neighbourhood network of the tour guides and so they make visitors welcome. Hitherto invisible stories are shared in a real, living environment.” One of the guides, Ahtsham ( 夏天生 ), is a 22-yearold student at City University of Hong Kong. He lives in Yuen Long and his family is originally from Pakistan. His first tour was for a group of primary students in Yau Shim Mong district. “I enjoyed it because it could break down social and cultural barriers.” Ahtsham has given tours for locals ranging from students to the elderly and he tries to speak Chinese, “both to improve it and to build better connections with the participants.” The local tours are mostly for 20-30 year-olds, he says. Cultural diversity and social inclusion are key elements. “I want to spread the message that we are all living in the same society and nobody should differentiate between us on the grounds of culture, religion, language or race. Another good thing about the tours is that I get to learn about cultures different from my own and make friends.” For Ahtsham, the best outcome of being a tour guide is that it gives him a new role to play. “It is

very satisfying when local Chinese people come to understand something about ethnic minority culture that they have never imagined hitherto. That’s why people start to understand each other better. At the end of the day, that’s what I really want.” Wellbeing and sense of identity as a Hongkonger depend on social inclusion, concludes Corn. Without it, human capital cannot fully develop. “Culture is an abstract concept and attitudes to strangers cannot be changed easily but Hi! Strangers can provide ‘humanlibrary tours’ that allow better understanding of difficulties and coping. Most importantly, participants recognize similarities rather than differences.”

pp Corn Sim, founder of Hi! Strangers

InnoPower@JC: Hi! Strangers is supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club, operated by The Salvation Army and partnered by schools and NGOs such as the New Home Association, Central Asia Centre, Hok Yau Club and Hong Kong Red Cross.

Perspectives December 2019 | Youth Hong Kong

Lamma

an island apart

• Living without motorized transport, connected to the city only by ferries, is not for everyone.

• 居住在離島，交通難免較為不便。出入只靠渡輪，也不一定適合任何人。

• But Cheng, who works on Lamma, enjoys its tranquillity, Zenas sees his long-term future there and two young volunteers appreciate its challenges.

• 鄭先生因工作關係住在南丫島，享受這裡的寧靜及較慢的生活節奏。而 Zenas 與另外兩位義工亦期望能在這裡長期居住及發展，亦珍惜生活在這裡帶來的挑戰。

• They say inconveniences are outweighed by bonuses, including the speedy acceptance of newcomers as neighbours.

• 他們認為生活上雖然不及市區方便，但跟鄰舍關係密切，感到優點遠勝缺點，很喜歡住在島上。

Lamma Island appears to be rather different from other parts of Hong Kong when it comes to neighbourhood spirit. Cheng, who has been living in Yung Shue Wan village and working on the island for the last four years, says, “Here, you often meet your neighbours in the street and stop to chat.” “When I first moved in,” Cheng continues, “I made friends with my next-door neighbour, an English girl who teaches in Aberdeen. She put a welcome card under my door. I went to thank her and straight away we were friends. I believe that knowing your neighbours is very important but we all have to take the initiative.” Cheng knows all the people who live near him. “There’s Emily, a local young lady in her 30s who works on Hong Kong side. She is very quiet and a good person to have as a neighbour. Upstairs, there is a friendly English designer. When she arrived two years ago she 22

had a house-warming party and invited me. Everyone else was western and it was my first experience of kissing other people’s cheeks,” laughs Cheng. Before moving to Lamma, Cheng lived in Fanling for 20 years. “Once, a neighbour invited me into his flat to teach his son, but in general, I found Fanling not so friendly. The estates are large high-rises and the streets are very busy with mainland shoppers who create chaos on the pavements. I don’t plan to go back and live there again.” Cheng’s family used to live in Shek Kip Mei and he remembers how neighbours all knew each other there. “Almost everyone left their doors open. Hardly anyone does that now.” Asked why, he thinks it is because they don’t want to talk to each other, or “perhaps people trust each other less. Maybe it is because we have more money,” says Cheng, wryly.

Returning to Cheng, his greatest hope for Lamma is public transport for the needy. Today there are no cars or buses anywhere on the island, only small vehicles that are not allowed to carry people. “I wish those village vehicles could offer transport to the elderly and anyone else in need. Otherwise they will never see much of Lamma Island. On the other hand, my greatest fear for the future is over-development.” There is a real sense of belonging to a community In Lamma, Cheng concludes. “Although I will never be truly local because I wasn’t born here, I think once you become part of the Lamma community, even incomers like me find it very hard to move. Here you can take life slowly.” Zenas, a 20 year-old design student, was born and brought up in the family home in Yung Shue Wan. He has no plans to move away from the island. “If circumstances permit, I will always stay here. It’s a cool place to live and I think Lamma Island has a suitable environment for developing my art.” Time seems to stretch for many Lamma residents once they are away from the city’s hustle and bustle. “When I am not studying and especially during the holidays I can find, more time here for drawing and reading.” Most of Zenas’ neighbours were also born on the island but he says that most of his friends are not Chinese. “Integration between members of the community is usually fast,” he comments, regardless of nationality, although it varies. Jasmine and Steve are young volunteers with the Hans Andersen Club, a charity that serves Lamma’s grassroots and underprivileged families. They have storytelling sessions and other community activities and hope to encourage senior citizens to pass on their knowledge and experience to the younger generation. Jasmine, who works mostly with the children, finds Lamma both friendly and supportive. She believes strongly in the benefits of creativity and mindfulness. “I have found it very rewarding to be part of this community,” she says. Steve also loves it there. “We go out hiking and there are challenges for people of all ages. The club encourages the idea of letting children play games in the wild, make friends with nature and find plants like basil, dill, mint, pepper and lemon grass that they can smell, touch, even taste.”

Visit HKFYG Lamma Youth Camp

● Adventures ● Traditional Chinese Archery Workshops ● Mindfulness activities Booking

How to find the camp

Take a ferry from Central to Lamma

Central - Yung Shue Wan Timetable here

Central - Sok Kwu Wan Timetable here

Then about 40 minutes’ walk

From Sok Kwu Wan Pier From Yung Shue Wan Pier Courtesy of Google maps

More details

Web lyc.hkfyg.org.hk/ Tel 2395 5676 Fax 2664 4776 Email camp@hkfyg.org.hk

Services December 2019 | Youth Hong Kong

NEIGHBOURHOOD Fir

EIGHBOURHOOD First was launched by HKFYG in 2012. Since then, this community-building initiative has been energized by Hong Kong’s youth and has grown into a territory-wide project.

HKFYG believes in neighbourliness and NEIGHBOURHOOD First brings together members of all ages and walks of life, emphasizing the importance of caring for each other. A warm welcome awaits all young people who join any of the Neighbourhood First Teams in Hong Kong’s 18 districts.

Annual Neighbourhood Reunion Lunch Young volunteers from the Neighbourhood teams promote mutual support at the annual pun choi (basin feast), inviting neighbours to share lunch and stories of the old days at Lunar New Year. Date for your diary Saturday 11 January 2020 Main location Yuen Long District Cross-city reunions In all 18 city districts Participants 3,300 people from the community 1,000 Neighbourhood First Team members Special invitations Needy families, elderly people, and people with disabilities. 2020 theme NEIGHBOURHOOD First uKitchen with young volunteers cooking.

rst for Community Spirit

NEIGHBOURHOOD• uKitchen Good neighbours support each other and they usually share the same tastes in food, so cooking and eating together provide great opportunities for getting together. With this in mind, HKFYG and the Social Welfare Department organized NEIGHBOURHOOD First·uKitchen, launched officially in July. Combining elements of community care and cookery skills training, the project also introduced young participants to careers in catering. The project successfully set up nine kitchens in HKFYG Youth SPOTs, and young people led the way, bringing neighbours in the community together while sharing food and the culture of helping and caring.

Highlights Training Over 100 Neighbourhood First Team members, beginners included, learned basic cooking skills—like steaming, stewing and braising—from professional chefs. Visits Teams went to chefs’ workplaces to explore industry developments and career prospects at ClubONE, Tai Hung and Ginger Grill. Community service They then prepared sweet potato mooncakes and other delicious dishes for members of the community including the elderly and needy people living alone in mid-Autumn Festival. Recipes Included steamed fish, fried rice, chicken soup, lotus root patties, sweet and sour beef and braised vegetables.

Participants 110 young people aged 15-24 District locations Southern, Eastern, Wong Tai Sin, Yuen Long, Tuen Mun, Kwai Tsing, North, Sai Kung, Kwun Tong Supported by Professional chefs from the Food and Beverage Group and Lee Kum Kee

Services December 2019 | Youth Hong Kong

Neighbourhood Specials Post-typhoon Clean-up Campaign Super typhoon Mangkhut left Heng Fa Chuen and Tseung Kwan O estates littered with garbage, fallen trees, sand and mud. Neighbourhood First Teams launched a clean-up campaign in response, restoring the environment and the good spirits of their residents. Neighbourhood Leftover Recycling Project Setting an example of sustainable use of resources and community care for the environment, the Neighbourhood Team at HKFYG’s Jockey Club Ping Shek Youth SPOT organized a Leftover Recycling Project in Kwun Tong. The leftover is collected before the market close. Then they will make use of these food to prepare food boxes to those in need. Lucky Neighbourhood: Victoria Park Lunar New Year Fair Welcoming the Year of the Pig, 50+ members of Neighbourhood First Teams ran a stall at the Victoria Park Lunar New Year Fair, the stall debuted with free lucky roulette games, festive handicrafts, live painting sessions and youth busking. Exclusive celebratory souvenirs on sale featured Alan, the NEIGHBOURHOOD First mascot lion, symbolizing good fortune and sharing festive spirit to welcome a new, energetic year. Neighbourhood - Love Street To promote mutual help and ease the financial burdens of low-income families and solitary elderly people, the Neighbourhood First Team at HKFYG Jockey Club Shaukiwan Youth SPOT created Love Street. They issued coupons and invited Shau Kei Wan Main Street East shops to give discounts to elderly people and families. Rice Giving Scheme Thousands of youngsters have volunteered to operate 19 rice stations in this ongoing sponsored scheme with the Au Bak Ling Charity Trust. Periodically, they also visit underprivileged families and people living alone, delivering rice to those unable to collect it themselves while showing neighbours and the needy they care. Over 5,400 households benefit from the scheme every month. NEIGHBOURHOOD Day “Neighbours bring Happiness” is the theme and low-income families and the elderly are feeling joyful and warm when team volunteers arrive with goodie bags and care for 1,000 households on Neighbourhood Day.

Loving Soup for All At the end of November, hundreds of young volunteers from the territory-wide Neighbourhood Teams helped to cook great vats of soup with loving care and deliver it to needy people. Their goal was strengthening Hong Kongâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sense of solidarity and healing divisions.

Locations Tin Shui Wai and Yuen Long: HKFYG Youth SPOTs at Tin Yiu, Tin Yuet & Hung Shui Kiu Sponsor and donors Heart.HK01 and members of the public

Offered in the community every winter solstice since 2012, Loving Soup is a festive celebration of youthful efforts to build community spirit. The annual event brings together thousands of folk of all ages to enjoy over 4,000 warming bowls of home-made soup. The programme is supported by schools, government officials and celebrities who went along on the neighbourhood household visits.

Note Both soups can be prepared ahead of time, refrigerated and reheated gently before serving.

More details neighbourhoodfirst.hkfyg.org.hk Enquiries 3755 7072

CITY SPACE December 2019 | Youth Hong Kong

Better for cyclists, now or never? pp Typical London cyclists: packed together at traffic lights

“SORRY!” I heard for the second time in two weeks as a cyclist crashed into me. I seemed rather prone to such accidents as a newbie in London. I hit the ground hard, cracked my cell phone screen and looked up, dazed, as a cyclist dressed in office clothes attempted to apologize in that terribly English way. “Sorry” he cried, and immediately cycled away. There are many commuters on London’s bike lanes, all travelling to the city centre. I hadn’t paid proper attention to the rules. Hong Kong is different. It has one of the greatest public transport systems in the world. There are multiple options and about 70% of commuters use buses and trains. Although using public transport rather than private cars is officially encouraged to reduce emissions, few people have their own vehicle and road transport contributes heavily to pollution.1 More than half of the carbon monoxide emitted originates from road transport whereas, by reducing the number of trips taken by car, cycling has been shown by the European Cyclists’ Federation to contribute to reduction in greenhouse gas emission. So, looking with dismay at my cracked cellphone that day, two questions came to mind: Why don’t Hongkongers cycle as much as Europenas and how can Hong Kong become a better city for cycling? A friend of mine told me that Hong Kong is not cycling-friendly because there are no government plans for urban commuting by bicycle. When I found the Hong Kong 2030+ Public Engagement document, I understood. The illustrations show there is no intention of encouraging it. The only signs of cycling are bicycle icons placed around residential areas, quite separate from the city’s bustling centre. Cycling is considered a leisure pursuit only and the bike lanes, where they exist, are often ignored or treated as footpaths. 28

UK’s Cycle to Work Scheme Implemented 1999 How it works Employers buy bicycles for workers who “hire” them for commuting and benefit because the fee they pay offsets tax and National Insurance contributions. At the end of the hiring period, the bikes become the property of the workers. Results 65% of employees increased the number of times they cycled to work.

Obviously, Hong Kong is not among the world’s most bicycle-friendly cities as far as terrain is concerned but more could be done to improve safety. Research indicates that Europe succeeds because bike commuters are considered normal traffic with equal rights to motorized vehicles.2 Driver education is the key. Sadly, the court decision about the tragic death of Hong Kong cyclist, Collin Robertson, in a collision with a van in Tung Chung in 2014, was that this is a place where drivers are against cyclists. If Hong Kong people are afraid to cycle around Hong Kong it is because they know the average driver will not take sufficient care. Two Asian cities are considered bicycle-friendly: Tokyo and Taipei, as the chart shows. Singapore has also tried to increase cycling with an

Score

The Most Bicycle Friendly Cities: 2019

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Europe South America Asia North America * New cities added recently to the index Source copenhagenizeindex.eu/

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Singapore’s Walk Cycle Ride (WCR) Taipei’s YouBike Bike Share

Implemented 2003/2004

Implemented 2016

Implemented 2009

How it works Called the Brevet du cycliste, this training scheme develops children’s cycling skills. From the age of 10, it is used to improve safety by enhancing traffic awareness and both spatial and physical skills.

How it works Combination of enhanced accessibility of footpaths and a comprehensive cycling awareness campaign as well as more convenient transport systems.

How it works More incentives

Results Large number of schools participate in the training Source provelo.org/fr/page/brevet_du_cycliste

Results WCR accounts more than 70% of all peak-hour journeys. Sources mot.gov.sg/Transport-Matters/public-transport/detail/walk-cycleride-sg mothership.sg/2019/10/public-transport-peak-period/

interconnected transport network and financial incentives to encourage the use of bicycles for short commutes. Such changes gradually change the cycling habits of citizens. Similar to Singapore, Hong Kong is highly centralized. Although the government has no plans for enhancing cycling in central urban areas, something can be done to improve the accessibility of facilities in the rural areas of the New Territories. This might eventually mean people will slowly develop the habit of incorporating cycling into daily commutes. Financial incentives and easy payments for hiring are also a good idea. A Hong Kong government proposal for future new towns does include cycling.3 The concept may appear simple but would be difficult to implement, requiring a balanced combination of government policy, citizen awareness, proper driver education, safe bike lanes and the creation of mixed-mode commuting. To return to the question of whether Hong Kong will become a better city for cyclists in future, the short-term answer seems to be no because the government has no

including free bike rental services for seniors and discount rentals for mixed mode commuting. Results Became the first Asian city to host the European Cyclists’ Federation annual global cycling summit. Source guidetotaipei.com/article/youbike-taipeicity-public-bicycle-rentals-ubike-%E5%BE%AE% E7%AC%91%E5%96%AE%E8%BB%8A\

intention of converting cycling from a purely leisure activity to a recognized form of transport. In the medium term, of course, the answer is yes, because where there is a will there is a way. However, without government support the concept has a very long way to go before becoming a reality.

Hazel Wong, a regular contributor to Youth Hong Kong, is currently doing a master’s degree in Environmental Systems Engineering at University College London. Read more 1. epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/ air/data/emission_inve_transport.html 2. Breukel, S. The bicycle capitals of the world: Amsterdam and Copenhagen, 2010. Fietsberaad.nl/library/ repository/bestanden/Fietsberaad_Publicatie7A.pdf 3. climateready.gov.hk/files/report/en/6.pdf 29

Arts & culture December 2019 | Youth Hong Kong

Imagination, fiction and gaming by Simon John Our capacity for imagination is a very rare thing indeed. It gives us the ability to create something that never previously existed. It often begins with the desire for something better, more original or different but its genesis can sometimes be sheer inspiration. When imagination is applied to entertainment we enter the realm of fiction. Rather than simply relaying information that already exists in “novel” ways, we construct events, develop characters and explore narratives that can either be barely discernible from reality or vastly removed from it. As adult readers tend towards the former, young readers find tremendous inspiration and relief in the latter: the transportive experience that fiction – in prose or in film – provides. This is clear from the “Harry Potter” series which continues to enjoy monumental success among readers and mobile game players. The “Percy Jackson” series is another notable favourite for under-15s. Many in the English-speaking world also cut their literary teeth on the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid.” All these involve fantasy worlds created through narrative fiction and images. Chinese equivalents include Louis Cha’s wuxia-inspired videogames such as “The Heroes of Jin Yong.” “Enslaved: Odyssey to the West” a sci-fi version of “Journey to the West”, and a classic of Chinese literature, as well as “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” are other examples. Although videogames have always tried to tell stories similar to narrative fiction, only recently have they reached levels of visual finesse that make the experience truly memorable. As a reader immersed in these imaginary worlds you are an observer, even though you use your imagination as you read. As an active game-playing participant, you also 30

control, customize and contribute to the story as it unfolds. You become as important as the story itself. This takes the imagination found in storytelling to entirely new levels.

Imagining what isn’t, not what is Let’s take two very different dystopian videogames as examples. “Horizon: Zero Dawn” is a visually mesmerizing first-person role-playing game. Following the exploits of a young female protagonist trying to solve the mystery behind the fall of the human race, you navigate her through a machine dominated Earth-like world of robotic mechamonsters in order to uncover the truth. The game explores the consequences of unbridled human ambition and subjugation of people by superior machine masters. The recently released “Death Stranding” explores a future world that is dark and mysterious. In an eerie, desolate

with an idea but no knowledge of what lies behind it until we explore inside. Others are reimaginings of history, telling stories we are already acquainted with in new and inspiring ways. Significant events such as the world wars are taken by studios and explored with creative divergence. In “Call of Duty: WW2”, set in wartime Europe, players take the role of Ronald Daniels, fighting alongside a squad from the D-Day landings and culminating in the liberation of a concentration camp in Germany. The mobile game “My Child Lebensborn” introduces you to a very different experience of World War II. Assuming the role of a foster parent, players care for a child who is ostracized for having a half-Nordic, half-German heritage. The often moving experience reflects that of a child of the era in a brutal world that leaves a profound new understanding of the experiences of noncombatants. environment you play as Sam Bridges, tasked ostensibly with reconnecting cities across the US, society having succumbed to an event that has fractured humanity in a disturbingly profound way. Its mechanics make it possible for players globally to share the experience and the benefits of the progress made by a single player amongst a collective user base. The beauty of games of this kind is in their imaginative complexity. They exploit real concerns of the day, be they future relationships between man and machine or the unintended consequences of tools like the internet creating fractured, polarized societies. We are able to enjoy them because the experiences they deliver are both immersive and fictional so that we feel we are taken somewhere we couldn’t otherwise reach. Yet they are real enough in themes and ideas to make us reflect.

Novels and games access your imagination As with novels, videogames tell stories. Some provide us with a way into previously unimagined worlds. It is no coincidence that we open a book as we would open a door,

Then there are truly dystopian games like “Papers, please!” in which the player becomes an immigration official in a communist regime, managing cross-border movements between three fictional states, all of which are hostile from time to time. You follow procedures like any government official, stamping permits allowing people in and refusing entry to those who don’t meet requirements that change unpredictably from day to day. And if you miss someone… Well, the repercussions of such sloppiness can’t be understated.

Imagination is as real as we want it to be What we see in such iterations of the world are things that aren’t, but also things that very well could be. This is where imagination within fiction comes into its own. It can present us with unpleasant representations of our time in places or periods either far removed from or very close to those of today. And in these imagined worlds we can safely confront the various threats we face, fears we have and problems we don’t yet know how to solve. When we do, we may find answers or new approaches we hadn’t yet thought of. Fictional experiences empower the imagination of readers and players of all ages. They can help us appreciate what we have, or focus on what we need. 31

HKFYG December 2019 | Youth Hong Kong

Family communication troubled times, troubled minds M

any parents have wanted to help their children during Hong Kong’s protests. But what sort of help is best? Troubled and anxious about the situation, parents may find that analyzing their own emotional reactions is the best first step. HKFYG’s Parent Support Network (PSN) offers advice and a forum for views.

“I’m worried that my children will get hurt. They might even be arrested,” one mother posted on PSN. “I feel depressed and incapable of protecting them but I am conflicted as well. Sometimes I also feel angry when they disagree with me.” Sharing feelings like this gives insight and comfort but it also helps one to separate practical worries from raw feelings. The purpose of dialogue at such a time is not agreement on politics. Rather, it is to find a way to communicate peacefully. For example, if a youngster insists on taking to the streets, PSN advises parents to consider saying something like, “I understand that you want to join the protests to express your views, but we are worried about your safety. How you will protect yourself if the situation gets out of control? Can you promise to stay in touch?” Parents might also try to encourage their children to tell them how they feel about the core issues underlying the demonstrations. They could ask them to describe how they feel when violence erupts. They could ask, “How does it feel out there? Doesn’t it scare you? Or does it just make you angry and helpless to change anything?” Feelings, no matter the reason for them or how positive or negative, are perfectly natural so being reassuring about them helps. Parents can also help their children think ahead. “Imagine the worst thing that might happen today. How would you deal with it?” 32

Asking about constructive ways of expressing opinions instead of protesting is another angle. “Do you think a compromise might be reached soon?” one parent at PSN asked. Another said, “Every time we watch the TV news together, it triggers conflict. What should I do?” Young people think mainstream media is not comprehensive enough, while a parent may see online information as too prone to contain fake and prejudiced news. In such difficult times as this, with change taking place constantly, everyone has to admit the limits to accuracy of most sources of information.

What if … Teenager I find it very confusing when opinions about the protests vary so much, especially when they come from close friends. Parent

It’s OK to see things differently. No people are the same and it’s important to respect one another even if we don’t share the same views.

Teenager The videos are so shocking. Parent

Some videos are edited to make a shocking impact. There is so much fake news. Let’s see if we can find some more reliable reports.

Teenager Yes, look at this… Parent

Right, you can see it shows the same event from a different angle and so the interpretation is different. What do you think that means?

Teenager Might the reporters have different political backgrounds? Parent

Probably. Which part of the report do you disagree with? Any idea why you disagree?

Teenager I don’t know. I just find it easy to fight and shout at others when they disagree with me. Parent

Yes, but wouldn’t you also like to improve the situation?

Focused discussion sessions at the Parent Support Network Practical support Communication skills for handling parent-child conflict Targets Parents concerned about discussing social issues with children Aim Enhanced parent-child communication With Emotional support for children and youth and schools in the district Coming up on Thursdays 12 and 19 December

The best answer is to look for news that offers opinions contrary to one’s own and share them with the family. This allows for more balanced guidance that encourages young people to think critically rather than simply reacting emotionally.

Time 10.30am-12.30pm Venue HKFYG Parent Support Network, Unit 125-132 G/F, Tsui Shek House, Ping Shek Estate, Kwun Tong, Kowloon More details

If a child knows their parents have strong opinions, they might become increasingly uncommunicative. It’s important to keep calm, maintain perspective and try not to take sides. Everyone needs the chance to speak and be listened to. The main message should always be to try to stay safe, try to avoid conflict and analyze options. That way, less harm will be done to the relationship between parent and child and understanding can grow.

Call HKFYG Parent Support Network to find out more Enquiries Phoenix Ngai 3755 7066 or Jessica Ling 2402 9230

HKFYG

Jo i

December 2019 | Youth Hong Kong

Wellness for all all for wellness

We all need to find balance in life and HKFYG provides all sorts of opportunities for young people to work out a way that suits them best, both physically and mentally. The annual Run for Wellness and the Mobile Wellness Truck are two examples.

Run for Wellness l Open to participants of all ages l 2,500 entrants in 2019 l Three categories

l 10KM (Individual, Team Challenge) l 4.2KM (Individual, Corporate, School Team, Team Challenge) l 2.1KM (Family)

The Wellness Carnival, which takes place during the annual Run for Wellness, includes a chill zone, a yoga zone, an art zone and a mini athletic meet. Games like Ludo and a rainbow parachute are part of the fun and the goal is to connect people of all ages. Looking after emotional health and living for the day with family, friends and most importantly, your inner self, is what it’s all about.

More details:

Mobile Wellness Truck Theme of the Year: Wellness Time Me Time

Make time to listen to your heart and understand your needs.

Me Time

We Time

Me Time是專屬於自己的獨處時間，要與

● How well do you know your body and mind?

人是群居動物，總有機會與人共處。

世界和平共處，先要學懂和自己相處。定期

We Time不單指與他人共處，更重要是感

安排獨處空間，可更真實地聆聽與回應內在

受人與人之間的聯繫，透過有質素的相處時

需要，有助提升心理健康。

間，互相分享、支持，成為彼此的後盾。

。你最近一次和自己好好相處是甚麼時候？

。你最近一次和別人好好相處是甚麼時候？

。你有多了解自己的身體與心靈？

。與身邊人相聚時，你能夠放下煩惱、手機與

。你準備好靜下心來，覺察自己的感受嗎？

雜務，全情投入地與對方共處嗎？。你有否及時向他人表達愛意和謝意？

享受獨處（me time）與共處（we time）

● Do you know how to make quiet time to realize what you need?

的優質時間，為彼此心靈注滿能量。

We Time

There are many “We Times” in our daily lives but we should make quality time together. ● When was the last time you really listened to others? ● Can you put aside your troubles, ignore your phone and focus on those you’re with? ● Have you told anyone recently how grateful you are?

Magnets on the truck

Choose a cartoon that matches your feelings.

Wellness Space

Wellness Map

● Try our mindfulness exercise, take a break and rest.

● Make the time you need to care for both yourself and others ● Find quality “Me Time” and “We Time” every day

Wellness Tree

● Record your happy travelling tips.

● Write down your thoughts, put them in the hollow tree and look for our supportive reply.

身處繁華熱鬧、

波蘭歷經紛亂，更曾亡國整整一世紀，波蘭人仍然能保持樂觀。他們常說「Jakoś to będzie」，意思是「事情終會解決的」，更深一層的含意是不會守株待兔，要及時採取行

生活節奏急速的香港，

動而不計較結果。這句話顯示波蘭人努力實現目標、毫不畏懼、勇於冒險的態度。

墨西哥是個盛產辣椒的國度，當地人無辣不歡。「辣」也是他們

以色列長期受到戰爭威脅，然而在各種國際「幸福指標」中，以色列竟名列前茅。以色列人之快樂源於國民十分重視人與人的關係，將與親朋好友的優質相處時間視為日常首要事情。正是這種親密聯繫與相互關懷，讓他們感到幸福。你有每天抽出一點時間，與家人朋友共處嗎？

你的快樂秘方是甚麼？

感到開心幸福的其中一個原因，為甚麼呢？原來辣椒內含有一種名為「辣椒素」的生物鹼，會讓人產生一種被灼燒的疼痛感，繼而促進腦內釋放腦內啡，使人產生愉悅感。不知詭墨西哥人是否因此而越吃辣越開心，越開心越想吃辣？

抓住平凡幸福全心投入當下丹麥以「世界最快樂的國家」聞名，有賴其生活哲學 Hygge 和 Pyt。Hygge意思是抓住日常生活的平凡幸福，全心投入當下，無論午後用心享用一杯咖啡；或是走路時放慢腳步，心情也可平靜下來。至於Pyt則代表「隨它去」，接受現況未必受自己控制，即使感到沮喪，仍

● Relax and enjoy the power charge

能夠不執著、選擇坦然接受並繼續前進。丹麥很多地方都裝置了Pyt按鈕，按下去會響起「Pyt」一聲，提醒我們：

台灣推祟「慢活」，即放慢腳步、擺脫物質、注重工作與生活的平衡。

古巴奉行社會主義，雖不富裕，但人民熱愛舞蹈，音樂聲

不丹GDP雖不及其他已發展國家，但被譽為全世界最快樂的貧窮小國。前不丹國王辛

花蓮的鳳林鎮於2014年成為全台首個獲國際認證的慢城，隨後包含嘉義

響起，群眾便會自然地隨樂聲手舞足蹈。音樂、舞蹈、活

格旺楚克創立了國民幸福指數（Gross National Happiness），替代GDP和GNP來衡

大林、苗栗三義與南庄，也獲得認證。

在當下，足以概括古巴人的生活態度。你的愛好和生活態度又是甚麼？音樂、跳舞、閱讀、畫畫、運動或是旅行？

量不丹的發展成效。國民幸福指數的量度範圍包括心理素質、生理健康、教育、時間分配、文化多元、社區活力、生態多樣性等，但不包括財政狀況。如果我們也把財富

要通過「國際慢城」認證，所需條包括推行可持續發展的技術、培育本

的重要程度放下一點，會否也令快樂指數大大提升？

地文化、保護當地風俗習慣與文化資產、推行健康的飲食與生活模式、

無論如何，享受當下一刻便是最好的生活態度。

支持本地手工藝者與本地商業的發展等。

HKFYG December 2019 | Youth Hong Kong

Future lives, future jobs Y

oung people should start planning early. To help them keep abreast of job opportunities, industry prospects and trends in the local market, these Federation programmes from the Youth Employment Network (YEN) are about making informed choices about further studies and career options. Guiding Dreams: places still available A 3-year programme in two parts, the goals of the programme are to help parents support their children’s efforts in life planning. It offers ideas and advice on the skills and knowledge they may need. ● Dream with You Talks for parents and junior secondary students about potential career paths Overnight camps with parallel groups for parents and their children ● Dreams Come True Exploring dream careers and imagining making them a reality Putting plans into action Awards for best ideas Targets ● 4,000+ secondary students ● 700 parents ● Join the programme: guide career dreams towards reality! ● Registration Hurry: a few places vacant ● Interested teachers Call Cheung Chi-wai or Crystal Lau 3113 7999 Sponsor Youth Development Commission More details yen.hkfyg.org.hk/dreamwithyou/ yen.hkfyg.org.hk/dreamcomestrue/ 36

Dream Support Scheme: sign up now The goals of the scheme are to encourage corporate social responsibility among Hong Kong-based companies and to help youth understand the world of work. Features ● Promoting life and career planning for potential future leaders ● Offering company visits ● Organizing sharing sessions with staff ● Job shadowing and internships Target clients Companies with business registration Target participants Secondary students, especially Secondary levels S4-S6 ● Call for donations ● Pledge HK$3,000+ ● Support life planning programmes and activities at HKFYG ● Join our current sponsors: CW CPA ● Sign up here bit.ly/2MFNpSe Extras Recognition at annual Caring Company ceremony Caring Company Logo nomination More details yen.hkfyg.org.hk/dreamsupport/ Enquiries Lau Ka-yu 3113 7999

GradJob: upcoming at YEN Against the challenging background of the slowing economy and flat hiring environment, YEN is launching a brand new electronic platform aimed at helping next year’s graduates. Calling ● All companies planning to hire 2020 graduates ● Post your vacancies FREE on the GradJob platform Featuring A graduation job-matching platform for university students Goals ● Helping newly graduated students find jobs ● Providing career counselling to enhance transition to the workforce Targets ● New 2020 degree holders ● All companies hiring 2020 university graduates ● Career preparation talks for final year students ● February 2020 Launch ceremony to deliver platform password and user tips for career hunting ● Next 6 months of job counselling for successful hires on GradJob Sponsor Prudential More details and registration yen.hkfyg.org.hk/GradJob Enquiries Rennie Wong 3113 7999

Daisy Fairy and the Bear Creative Magic at Christmas Dreams fulfilled: that's what this charming story is all about. Beautifully illustrated by students at schools served by HKFYG, its theme is hope, love and healing. For a perfect Christmas gift, you can find it at Kelly and Walsh stores or the bookshop on the G/F of the Arts Centre in Wanchai. Sponsor Candice Lee, Asia Art Hong Kong Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Phoenix Ngai Chun Chun Hui Cheung Ka Wai Claris Lin Man Tuen Chelsey Hong Kong Art School (a division of Hong Kong Arts Centre) Karen Lam Chris Cheng Salesians of Don Bosco Ng Siu Mui Secondary School Li Kin Man Principal Chan Kai Pong

Illustration Chan Cheuk Tung Chan Mei Wah Chui Tsz Tung Foo Wai Hin Alex Ho Hung Lok Yiu Jasmine Lai Li Chi Yin Li Wai Han Lo Tze Hei Lui Ka Yui Karina Tsang Yu Tung Wong Sze Lon Janelle Wong Tsin Yu Eugenia Yan Tin Suet Yee Viann Yeung Shuk Man and Ti Liang Yang

CCC Kei San Secondary School Buddhist Tai Hung College Qualied College Buddhist Tai Hung College HKICC Lee Shau Kee School of Creativity Lions College Kiangsu-Chekiang College (Kwai Chung) PLK Vicwood KT Chong Sixth Form College Buddhist Tai Hung College Buddhist Tai Hung College HKFYG Lee Shau Kee College Buddhist Tai Hung College Qualied College Holy Trinity College Wai Kiu College The YWCA Hioe Tjo Yoeng College SKH Lam Kau Mow Secondary School

HKFYG December 2019 | Youth Hong Kong

HKFYG Leadership Institute Lodge open now in historic former magistracy The newly opened lodge is a part of the former Fanling Magistracy complex which was revitalized by the HKFYG and is now home to the HKFYG Leadership Institute. The Institute was opened earlier this year and conducts leadership and skills training programmes to create a new generation of leaders for the community.

Special features

● Well-equipped multipurpose facilities for functions

● Indoor and outdoor spaces for social and commercial

purposes

● Exhibition space for residents

● 49-inch HD television with major TV channels ● Accommodation for 85 residents

● Convenient place to live, work and study

● Less than a minute’s walk from the Institute’s main block ● Eight minutes’ walk away from Fanling MTR station ● Rooms for 2 to 12 people

● Free WiFi, en suite bathrooms and lockers

Also available: wide range of training courses and activities

● View heritage features ● Visit nearby Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail

More details leadershipinsitute.hk The HKFYG Leadership Institute leadershipinstitutehk

Enquiries admin@leadershipinstitute.hk (852) 2169 0255

Address The HKFYG Leadership Institute Lodge 302 Jockey Club Road, Fanling, NT, Hong Kong 38

The HKFYG Youth Hostel PH2 co-living and co-growing in Tai Po HKFYG presents PH2: comfortable, affordable accommodation specially designed to help youth build networks and grow.

70 2

single units

co-living units for 3 persons

twin or disabled units

Design Concepts simple ∙ practical

ü Comfortable living space with durable, safe and easy-care furnishings

sustainable ∙ smart

ü Abundant natural light ü Effective soundproof windows ü Waste recycling, energy-saving, carbon-emission reducing ü Intelligent systems for safety and convenience

communal ∙ interactive

ü Creative use of space to encourage community-building and socializing

Tenancy

ü The first contracts for two years ü Renewable for up to five years maximum

Rent

ü To accord with both official and independent data ü Not to exceed 60% of market price ü Subject to regular review and adjustment ü Utility charges paid by tenants Address

2 Po Heung Street, Tai Po Market

Enquiries

Email ph2@hkfyg.org.hk Tel (852) 2656 0009

Application form and guidelines hkfyg.org.hk Note The first of its kind under of the government Youth Hostel Scheme 39

HKFYG December 2019 | Youth Hong Kong

Combatting drug addiction T

hree programmes from the Federation’s Youth Crime Prevention Centre (YCPC) focus on services that prevent and treat drug addiction in youth. They use tried and tested methods from overseas that enable social workers and teachers to target high-risk youth.

Healthy Transitions

a preventive, remedial and educational programme This programme offers strength-based cognitive behavioural therapy (SB-CBT) with the aid of psychological health education. The method enhances emotional management and resilience with the aim of reducing mental health problems and the risk of drug abuse in high-risk youth. Localized assessment tools are being developed and on completion, a service protocol that specifically demonstrates SBCBT and targets local youth drug abusers with mental health issues will be available. A 3-year programme for 10-35-year-olds Goals ● Reduction of mental health problems and effects of drug misuse/abuse ● Enhancing awareness of the benefits of a healthy life style ● Providing emotional support for family members ● Developing Hong Kong-based identification and assessment tools

In collaboration with Prof Daniel Wong Fu-keung of the Department of Social Work and Social Administration, University of Hong Kong Enquiries Kenneth Yeung 2701 8866

What is strength-based therapy? It’s a type of positive psychotherapy and counselling that focuses on internal strengths and resourcefulness rather than on weaknesses, failures, and shortcomings. It is part a social work practice that emphasizes people's self-determination and strengths in the face of adversity.

Project CHOICE

an education and training project

Project SEToff II

an anti-drug programme for working youth and hidden drug abusers This project, first developed between 2017 and 2019, has grown into an app for relapse prevention using Marlatt and Park’s intervention approach. Now extending its online network into the workplace, it will provide up-to-date, useful information for both employers and employees, encouraging them to support drug abusers and actively seek help if needed. A 3-year programme for 16-35-year-olds Goals ● Reaching and engaging 150 working

youth and hidden drug abusers

● Enhancing drug abusers’ motivation

This online and offline interactive project uses the YMPEP* Regional Implementation Comprehensive Educational Guide developed in the US for anti-drug training. Professionals involved use motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural therapy to help clients to reduce or quit drugs. A 2-year community-based project for all 16-35-year-old cannabis abusers Goals ● Motivating cannabis users to reduce

consumption and helping them to quit

● Raising social workers’ and teachers’

awareness and skills with cannabis abusers

● Providing updated cannabis-related information

and education for schools and the general public

● Promoting a healthy lifestyle ● Professional training for social workers and teachers ● Remedial services for high-risk cannabis

abusers and former users

Enquiries Ken Lee 2702 2202

and ability to give up drugs

● Assisting ex-drug abusers to maintain abstinence ● Enhancing a positive relationship between

family members and drug abusers

● Creating a supporting network between them

Enquiries Kenneth Yeung 2701 8866

What’s relapse prevention?

What is cannabis abuse disorder

Relapse means a breakdown or failure in an attempt to maintain change in a set of unwanted behaviours and Marlatt’s model for preventing it is well-known. Marlatt was a pioneer in the field of addiction treatment. He described an urge as an impulse to pick up an old habit, such as drinking or drug using, and likened such urges to waves in that they rise in intensity, peak, and eventually crash.

Also known as cannabis or marijuana addiction, cannabis abuse disorder is defined as the continued use of cannabis despite clinically significant impairment. There is evidence that cannabis use during adolescence, at a time when the brain is still developing, may have deleterious effects on neural development and later cognitive functioning. Source en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diagnostic_and_Statistical_Manual_of_Mental_Disorders

●

All programmes territory-wide ● Funded by the Beat Drugs Fund ● More details ycpc.hkfyg.org.hk * Youth Marijuana Prevention and Education Programme

Advertorial December 2019 | Youth Hong Kong

The Autumn Edition of the 39th Hong Kong Electronics Fair, held from 13-16 October 2019, attracted more than 3,700 exhibitors from all over the world. Organized by HKTDC, it included robotics, fitness and training, food and beverage gadgets and smart home security. Exhibitors shared ideas and in the Tech Hall’s startup zone, two company founders explained their services. C

Kary Kung, a psychology graduate in master degree who joined the finance sector, heads the Asian region for Vcan FinTech. Our company’s main focus is e-commerce and e-payments, an area where there is a large gap between supply and demand. Because Hong Kong is behind the pace in this area we found a good market here and after a year’s groundwork, we launched officially in August 2017. Companies setting up in mainland China often want to do business with overseas markets and need a channel for payment. Our services provide an easy platform for cross-border financial transactions regardless of the size of the company. For example, one of my mainland clients is trying to buy from India and sell in Europe and the US. He also has an agent in Vietnam, so when sales are made, he needs to transfer funds from Europe and the US to pay both the Indian vendor and the Vietnamese agent. Our services streamline the process. We also have online verification for clients with features developed as a result of AI. Such forms of e-ID are in their infancy in Hong Kong and we promote our business with clients from all over the world at this fair. It really helps us make connections.

V-account One for All Payment Account Empower your Global e-commerce Business Expansion ◆ Global banking services ◆ Designated segregated account (USA, UK, EU, HK, JAP, etc…) ◆ Support 100+ currency conversion ◆ Support 10+ marketplaces: Amazon, eBay, Walmart, Rakuten, etc… ◆ Expertise in B2C, B2B, O2O and shopping cart

After 2 years and 10 months of preparation, we proudly announced the founding of Vcan in the June of 2016. Located in the financial center of Hong Kong and Singapore, our team is full of experts from different areas in finance and technology. With our combined 20 years of experience, we are passionate in providing easy-to-reach financial services with the most advanced technology to our clients. We aim to build a fair and open trading platform for the global ecommerce market.

Dr Michael Lee has a PhD in electronic engineering from HKUST and is Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at iDisplay Hong Kong. My research at UST was about electronic displays. I am interested in making them into marketable products that will sell well on the market. I started up my company in 2014 and now, with our patented AdverTag, clients can save on electricity and display both product information and pricing. Our product also helps clients save on manpower and promote products more widely. For example, they can change price tags any time and send updated information to customers instantly. We are the first company in the world to use coloured screens for this. Our next development will be the use of wifi for more advanced and efficient transmission of data. Our technology allows display boards to withstand extremes of temperature and so they are suitable for most environments. We also sell tailor-made AI-based solutions. Joining TDC’s exhibition has helped us to connect with more potential clients and expand our network while brand-building and finding out more about local businesses.

CMY

Financial management skills

ow do students manage their money, what do they think about controlling their own finances and what sort of skills do they need?

Many of life’s major decisions involve financial matters and with rapid change and high inflation the pressure on the younger generation is likely to increase. Financial management skills are therefore increasingly important so this study investigated how young people manage their money, including their spending, saving and investing patterns as well as their values concerning money, opinions of financial education and preferences for dealing with personal debt.

Key points from respondents ● 82.8% agreed that being capable of good personal financial management is very important. ● 67.5% and 54.5% respectively did not agree with spending money before they had earned it or borrowing money on behalf of friends. ● 48.6% admitted to having overspent their budgets in the past. Among them, the majority said they would prefer to spend their savings (63.5%) or earn more (53%) rather than overspending, using credit cards or taking loans. ● 38.2% said they did not budget for personal expenditure or record any details of their spending patterns. ● The majority rated preparing oneself to meet one’s own future financial goals as the most important function of financial education, rating it 8.03 on a 0-10 scale. ● Interviewees and experts agreed that the best time to implement financial education is at senior secondary school level and the best method is experiential learning.

Comments from Youth I.D.E.A.S think tank members David Wong, deputy convener “We recommend the inclusion of financial education in Other Learning Experiences as part of the Education Bureau’s New Senior Secondary Curriculum in order to give students a basic understanding of personal finance.” Report No. 46 HKFYG Youth I.D.E.A.S. Education and Innovation group Published title Improving Financial Education for Young People Respondents 1,034 young people, from those in Secondary 4 to recent graduates. [Interviews were also held with 5 experts in the field of financial education and 20 youth interviewees.] More details [in Chinese] Enquiries Angus Choi 3755 7038

Jay Chan and Allison Chan, group members “A useful branding focus for the Investor and Financial Education Council (IFEC) would be encouraging financial planning in youth for better preparation to meet personal goals.” Derren Lam and Silver Ng, group members “The IFEC should also consider prioritizing the components suggested in the Hong Kong Financial Competency Framework and providing related teaching guidelines in order to help educators design lessons.”

Overseas work experience

his study seeks ideas about ways to enrich the overseas exposure of Hong Kong’s working youth in order to enhance their competitiveness and improve the overall quality of the city’s workforce. Hong Kong bridges east and west. 9,040 businesses with overseas parent companies are located here with 493,000 1 employees. Staff with overseas experience are needed for the daily operation of these businesses as well as for their future overseas expansion.

Key findings ● 51% of respondents are interested in short-term employment overseas ● Respondents agree that overseas employment is helpful for: - Developing international perspective (88.3%)

Interviews with young people who had worked overseas revealed that the experience broadened their horizons, enhancing their competitiveness with an international perspective and wider social network. However, these young people say that if they travel on a working holiday visa in an industry unrelated to that for which they have trained, the value of such experience will be questioned by potential employers and human resources managers. The report recommends government subsidies for companies that incur extra costs when joining the Young Management Overseas Development Programme.

- Improving language ability (82.5%)

Comments from Youth I.D.E.A.S. think tank members

- Improving interpersonal communications (80.2%)

Ernest Chan and Manson Chow, group convener and member “The world of international business is highly competitive but there are few opportunities for young Hong Kong workers to take temporary overseas jobs, apart from on the government’s Working Holiday Scheme. If the local talent pool had international experience it would help Hong Kong expand in both its major and emerging overseas markets. Government measures are needed to help young people make better use of working holidays and to find other overseas work opportunities.”

- Enhancing problem-solving ability (80.2%) ● Some respondents worry that overseas employment may impact their future career development negatively resulting in: - Missed development opportunities in Hong Kong (45.8%) - Lack of recognition of overseas work experience by employers (40%) - Reduction in salary by employers (39.6%)

Report No. 47 HKFYG Youth I.D.E.A.S. Employment and Economic Development group Published title Enriching the Experiences of Working Youth through Overseas Exposures Participants/respondents 520 Hong Kong working youth aged 18-34 were polled. 20 Hong Kong 18-34-year-olds who had worked overseas and four experts in youth exchange programmes and human resources were interviewed. More details

Dylan Kwan, group member “Company managers need to understand overseas markets to expand their business so we propose a ‘Young Management Overseas Development Programme.’ Set up by the Hong Kong government, this could strengthen overseas exposure among young management staff while offering subsidies for relevant overseas training.” Cindy Chiu, group member “The Labour Department should enhance the effectiveness of the Working Holiday Scheme. This could include improving employers’ impression of it and providing career counselling to the young participants before they leave.”

[in Chinese] Enquiries Amy Yuen 3755 7037 Source 1. Census & Statistics Dept. Numbers of overseas and mainland companies and startups in Hong Kong continue to grow- Press release, 16 October 2019.

Advertorial December 2019 | Youth Hong Kong

Hong Kong 200 Leadership Project 2020 Build Competencies & Equip Yourself to Serve - Sign up now The "Hong Kong 200" Leadership Project, initiated by HKFYG in 2006, aims to enhance young people’s sense of social responsibility and reinforce their willingness to give back to the community. This is an initiative under HSBC Future Skills Development Project and the training is intended to equip participants with essential skills to tackle challenges in the future, thus enhancing employability. Participants also find professions and callings for study and work and demonstrate their compassion, love and care for others, both in Hong Kong and other parts of the world. Adrian Ko won seed funding for his Project for Hong Kong. It proposed the cultivation of positive thinking among secondary school students with an interactive board game. His team will execute their project using the seed funds. He recognized how technology helps him to practise the spirit of “My Commitment to Hong Kong”.

Lynette Yip participated in a Job Shadowing: Tradition and Future with well-known media company LINE Plus Corporation. The editorial experience not only enhanced her digital marketing knowledge but also helped boost her confidence for future challenges. She learned online publishing skills with media company and showed an interest in creative thinking and effective communication for future learning.

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I learned how 3D-printing can help very highquality mass production and will actively consider it for implementing our project. As a participant of HK200 in 2019, I felt empowered to serve Hong Kong’s community, learn about Hong Kong’s society, understand people and tackle their problems. I’ve built an extensive network and feel more confident about putting my ideas about positive thinking into action.

Big data analysis can help the media to identify readers’ interest for better content creation. I believe skills in this area will be important for employment. I was a bit anxious when I first enrolled but as a result of HK200’s job shadowing programme, I published my first online advertorial and got a taste of digital marketing. That took me out of my comfort zone but was a great first step to prepare for work. Key Training Modules l Future leader programmes: Leadership guiding, mentorship, job shadowing l Team challenge: Leadership adventure camp l Innovation and society: Design thinking skills lab l Social and experiential learning: Project for Hong Kong l Global horizons: Impact lunch and seminars with global leaders

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香港青年協會

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Youth Hong Kong: 21/F, The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Building, 21 Pak Fuk Road, North Point, Hong Kong Tel : 3755 7097．3755 7108．Fax : 3755 7155．Email : youthhongkong@hkfyg.org.hk．Website : youthhongkong.hkfyg.org.hk The title of this journal in Chinese is Xiang Gang Qing Nian 香港青年

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