Changing normality

COVID-19 has changed the world and young people are bearing the brunt of its impact.

Hong Kong’s experience is paralleled by a global phenomenon and a return to normality recedes with each new wave of viral infections.

In order to face the future with optimism we all need to embrace change and the unexpected with enthusiasm. • 新冠肺炎全球肆虐，為大家的生活帶來翻天覆地的 轉變，年輕一代更要適應學習及工作的新常態。 • 跟其他國家的抗疫工作一樣，香港社會的復甦情況 跟疫情變化息息相關，每次出現新一輪疫情爆發， 社會各界都深受影響。 • 然而，我們應該懷著樂觀的心態，勇於面對未來的 挑戰。

Health, learning, economies and wellbeing have all been hit hard by COVID-19 this year but there are glimmers of light as the world adjusts to uncertainty and change. Innovation in science and technology is blossoming and despite social isolation and school closures, flexibility in attitudes and responses has resulted in the discovery of alternatives to normal modes of communication, schooling and working.

Yet, not everyone has been able to switch seamlessly and wherever one looks, this has created a particularly acute situation among lower-income families and affects both students and workers. This underlines the sharp digital divides that exist in Hong Kong and around the world. Indeed, a recent survey from the Society for Community Organization reported that despite the community’s best efforts about 40% of Hong Kong’s grassroots children are without computers at home. 1 In response to the crisis, the Federation launched several programmes including supporting 100,000 underprivileged students with SIM cards and data plans as well as stepped-up hotline and online counselling.

Studying disrupted, jobs hit Signs of hope

The pandemic is also inflicting a heavy toll on young We can expect major disruptions in education and the workers, removing employment opportunities and economy that will arrive in multiple waves. It is here undermining career prospects. In Hong Kong, that opportunity will lie, both for students and young the youth unemployment rate was up to 10.4% by entrepreneurs. There are already bright prospects for July 2 but global figures from the International Labour educators to build platforms and tools that work well Organisation show that 17% of young people who in a covid-dominated world. For students, these will were employed before the outbreak stopped working point towards lifelong learning rather than schoolaltogether. Working hours among employed youth fell by oriented study and they will prioritze IT skills. nearly 25% and 42% reported a reduction in income. 3 Faced with this social challenge, Federation projects have For the future, despite all-too-real economic woes, signs In Hong Kong, 12.4% of respondents in a recent youth of optimism can already be seen in the young. 40% of survey were currently unemployed. 55.6% cited the those surveyed in a World Economic Forum study viewed COVID-19 outbreak as a reason for losing their jobs and their future career prospects optimistically. Amid such 69.8% of them had little hope of finding work within signs of hope and resilience, almost half of the young the next three months. people surveyed reported 7.1% of those currently pursuing new training or working saw their income reduce by more than half Coming to terms with an era learning opportunities since the pandemic began. since the end of 2019. 4 where any “new normal” is only Youth Business Hong temporary . However, while online education works for some Kong (YBHK), HKFYG’s learners, it can harm startup support project, academically weak students has been offering practical help to young entrepreneurs and compromise conceptual learning. There is an urgent in a rapid response and recovery programme funded by need to complement educational technology with Google.org. An ongoing series will encourage startups to the power that is generated by people face-to-face in examine business strategies, review and redefine business vibrant communities. This is where the Federation can goals while providing one-on-one consultations and concentrate efforts, building supportive communities mentoring by professionals. Nevertheless, while innovative that will enable young people to grow and thrive in the startups can benefit, those in lower-skilled jobs will future. By working together, with and for youth, the suffer from the pandemic’s economic impact for years. negative effects of COVID-19 and its potentially longlasting impact on young people’s lives may be mitigated. been catering not only for the academic, emotional, We are having to come to terms with an era where health and social needs of young people but also normality is abnormal, an era where any “new normal” is for economic needs in the community. Believing only temporary. To meet this unforeseen challenge, young firmly that youth can not only be beneficiaries but people and those concerned with their wellbeing will need also have the potential to reach out in times of crisis, patience, tolerance of others and above all, acceptance of the volunteers in the HKFYG NEIGHBOURHOOD fact that where normal is abnormal, individual differences First Project distributed much-needed healthcare must be both recognized and encouraged and change resources and provisions to frail, isolated people. needs to be expected and welcomed rather than feared.

Sources

1. scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3099455/disadvantaged-hong-kong-pupils-struggling-online-classes 2.