Youth Hong Kong | 14.2 Another New Chapter

a quarterly journal from the hongkong federation of youth groups

Youth HONG KONG

Another New Chapter

June 2022

Volume 14 Number 2

Contents

OVERVIEW 4

Seeking direction for a new start

June 2022 I Youth Hong Kong Volume 14 Number 2

INTERVIEWS 6

Global cultural supermarket Gordon Mathews, CUHK

9

Strengthening Hong Kong’s distinctiveness Donald Low, HKUST

YOUTH SPEAK 12

Cantonese culture recognizing reality

ON THE AGENDA 16

4-5

6-11

OVERVIEW

INTERVIEWS

Changing times, changing prospects Surveys: MWYO, Hok Yau Club,

12-15

Baptist University 19

Competitiveness in the GBA

YOUTH SPEAK

Survey: HSBC & HKFYG HKFYG SERVICES 22

Next generation scholarships

24

Stepping forward with youth

26

New study journey at Leadership Institute

28

Startups with enterprise

16-21 ON THE AGENDA

YOUTH WATCH 30

22-29

Eyesight trends Elaine Morgan

SERVICES

FEATURES 34

Coping with isolation Joy Pamnani

36

30-33

Tracking teen sleep Apps for deficits and recovery

YOUTH WATCH

HKFYG PUBLICATIONS 38

Youth IDEAS Report 68: Fake News

40

Bookstore and SCOLAR writers

34-37

HKFYG NEWS 42

PH3 in Wan Chai

44

Easyschoolconnect

46

Summer Youth Programme

48

Annual Plan

50

Directory

FEATURES

38-51 HKFYG

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) Wilson Chan Angela Ngai Lakshmi Jacotă Hsu Siu-man Christa Cheung William Chung Miranda Ho CIRCULATION (unaudited) 9,000 in Hong Kong, throughout the region and overseas

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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

ARTWORK & DESIGN DG3 & HKFYG

REPRODUCTION OF CONTENTS without written permission from the publisher is prohibited

LAYOUT & PRINTING DG3

OVERVIEW & INTERVIEWS Elaine Morgan, Ada Chau & CPS team

ISSN 2519-1098 (Online)

TRANSLATION William Chung & Angela Ngai

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

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 any product or vendor mentioned in articles.

COVER DESIGN DG3 ISSN 2071-3193 (Print) WEB youthhongkong.hkfyg.org.hk

TEL 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.

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Editorial June 2022∣Youth Hong Kong

​ s young people consider a new chapter in their lives, whether choosing higher education or work, A they are also confronted by choice of location. Should it be Hong Kong, the Mainland or further afield? These are not unique challenges, but today does offer a range of new opportunities.

In this issue, we look at the Greater Bay Area as a competitive hub for entrepreneurship on our doorstep. We hear from our interviewees about the importance of keeping options open and recognizing that wherever young people go, they do represent a distinct Hong Kong culture. How the future unfolds will very much depend on choices made now.

What do you think of the way forward? Let us know and enjoy some gifts from the Federation's different units: from our Organic Farm, from Cafe 21 or even the Leadership Institute!

Andy Ho Wing-cheong Executive Director, HKFYG June 2022

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Overview June 2022∣Youth Hong Kong

Seeking direction for a new start l Hong Kong youth are seeking balance and direction by looking outwards to their future. l A new start involves taking a realistic look at their options, hampered as they may currently be by the economic slowdown and the pandemic. l Unemployment, unpredictability and uncertainty surround the zero-covid strategy, so many find it difficult to make plans. l Exploring the huge potential of the GBA is an undeniably feasible pathway for those who are job mobile and ready to leave their comfort zone.

l 本港失業率上升、疫情反覆帶來 的不確定性，令許多青年難以制 定長遠個人發展計劃。 l 對工作流動性較強、不介意離開 香港的青年來說，前往大灣區探 索發展無疑是一個可行的就業方 向。

Advice to young people about making life pathway decisions is never simple. At a time of great uncertainty, when is the best time for them to decide whether to make a move?

Whether to the Greater Bay Area (GBA) or beyond, nowadays, any decision on making a new start involves taking in the macro view. In Hong Kong, it includes an appreciation of ambitious infrastructure projects for two new metropolises within the territory, complete with new roads and railways. Once this is achieved, Hong Kong may offer more opportunities but will also be within easier reach of the ten other cities of the GBA: Macao, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen and Zhaoqing.

The massive project of the GBA involves the creation of a new economic powerhouse. The two new Hong Kong metropolises are envisaged on a matching scale.

The Northern Metropolis is to cover 300 km² in the northern New Territories. This is destined to be an innovation and technology hub. There is also to be a so-called San Tin Technopole of 150 km² near the Lok Ma Chau Loop devoted to healthtech.

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The so-called “Harbour Metropolis”, on the other hand, is to include the existing business centres of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon as well as the new artificial islands in the “Lantau Tomorrow” plan. However, the SAR government’s vision of the Northern Metropolis alone will take 10-15 years to realize and includes massive funding of HK$100 billion, an amount mentioned in this year’s budget address but already considered unlikely to cover costs. The upside of both metropolises being the promise of big housing development projects and more jobs, natural attractions for youth looking towards their future.

development, there have been schemes, subsidies, internship and exchange programmes sponsored by the government and interest groups. Yet, excitement and enthusiasm for the GBA are still missing.

In the interim, the strict covid-19 border restrictions will surely be lifted. However, this is not expected to happen soon, so it’s no wonder if there is a certain lack of immediate positive response and optimism among the younger generation for moving to the GBA. Surveys reported elsewhere in the issue reveal the extent of reluctance even though a minority who have already been persuaded of the wisdom of relocation are confident they will be competitive in the GBA job market. Such news is certainly be welcome, with unemployment in Hong Kong already at over 5%.

In Hong Kong’s closest rival, Shenzhen, the local government is focusing on attracting talent. Shenzhen transformed itself from an area of agricultural villages into a major world port that is now home to some of China’s leading technology, finance, real estate and manufacturing companies, posting at least 20% annual economic growth over the last four decades. The Qianhai International Talent Port opened in Shenzhen this year but in the first quarter of this year, growth was a mere 2%. The slowdown has made it harder to find jobs in a city where the average resident is aged 34.

The scale of the GBA is undoubtedly enormous. Compared with New York, San Francisco and Tokyo, its 56,000 km² of land and population of 86 million are vast. For this reason alone, Hong Kong’s youth would be most unwise to ignore the opportunities it can offer, whether relocation is attractive or not. After all, covid-19 has changed the business world forever by making online meetings and mobile working the norm so moving home is not inevitably involved in mainland-based employment.

Nevertheless, young people may well ask whether they really need to move to the GBA to benefit. Five years since the signing of the framework agreement for GBA

There are certainly psychological barriers to overcome and many reservations about salary differentials, high tax rates, media censorship and sociocultural differences.

Furthermore, at a time when the city’s leaders are hardselling the advantages of the GBA, the past strengths of Hong Kong can no longer be taken for granted.

With ten million graduates leaving China’s universities this year, and a youth unemployment rate of 11%, Hong Kong young people recognize the competition they will face in the GBA. For them to meet the challenge of looking forward to a new start anywhere, they will need to face up to their wider context. They may well look abroad, to Southeast Asia and beyond, but for many it will mean hoping for a brave new world, not only in the GBA but further north in mainland China. For the majority, however, it will probably be a case of hoping that Hong Kong’s own big infrastructure projects will provide for their needs.

Read more • sz.gov.cn/en_szgov/aboutsz/profile/content/post_9725064.html • scmp.com/business/article/3174662/hong-kongs-vision-greater-bay-area-materialising-dual-metropolis-concept • news.gov.hk/eng/2021/11/20211124/20211124_134929_988.htmlnews.gov.hk/eng/2022/02/20220223/20220223_101504_223.html • bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-05-19/hong-kong-s-jobless-rate-surged-to-5-4-during-covid-wave • scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3180196/china-economy-companies-extremely-cautious-uncertainty-hangs • scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3177331/world-beyond-greater-bay-area-also-holds-promise-hong-kong-youth • markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/intl-talent-hub-legal-service-district-launched-in-qianhai-1031081509 • reuters.com/world/china/miracle-city-shenzhen-fears-chinas-economic-future-2022-06-12/

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Interviews Interview June 2022∣Youth Hong Kong

A global cultural supermarket • Many Hong Kong youth are able to choose what to do with their lives, says Professor Gordon Mathews, but there are many unknowns for them to face.

• He uses the image of a global cultural supermarket to evoke the breadth of their opportunities.

• Cultural sensitivity is crucial for maximizing their potential, especially when they are unsure of both their own and their city’s sense of identity.

• Good communication and trust can grow out of such sensitivity and are needed by everyone who is concerned about Hong Kong’s young people.

YHK You use the phrase “global cultural supermarket”* to describe the environment in which today’s young people live.

Can you explain this concept?

GM Imagine walking around the supermarket. You can pick and choose what you like from the shelves. I use this image to paint a picture of young people in Hong Kong.

Many of them are able to choose what to do with their lives.

There is a multitude of opportunities available to them.

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l 香港中文大學人類學系教授 Gordon Mathews 形容，香港青年人生活在一個「全球文化超 市」，他們能夠選擇自己理想的生活，在本地 和海外亦有不同機會；不過，他指近年香港的 環境，的確讓青年難以預視這個城市未來的發 展前景。 l 他觀察到，這裡的年輕人已經開始養成一種 文 化 敏 感 度。 面 對 年 輕 人 與 內 地 的 矛 盾， Gordon Mathews 認為雙方應多溝通，求同存 異。他希望香港繼續成為一個充滿活力的空 間，作出自己獨特的貢獻，不僅對國家，而是 對整個世界。

When they ask, “where should I go?” or “what should I do?” they can look around and choose different options, both overseas and locally. This is true despite troubling recent experiences here. It is also true that we are at a time when they can’t foresee the consequences for Hong Kong’s future. Nevertheless, they have big advantages, including good English and a cosmopolitan outlook.

For example, I sometimes hear from past students who are making the world their home – for them it’s like a “global supermarket.” One of them is a journalist in New York,

another is a model in Barcelona, a third is in banking in Beijing. These are not just young people who come from privileged backgrounds; they are typical university students.

YHK Young people here have tended to see themselves as having a distinct cultural identity.

Do you see an erosion of this identity?

GM There have been big changes in Hong Kong in the last 12 years. Young people acquired a new sense of identity during the protests. They saw themselves as freedom fighters and that was reflected by the way the world saw them. It’s not the same sense of identity as the one of older generations whose sense of identity was created as a result of Hong Kong pop culture.

the internet or in other ways. The younger generation here has become used to a much greater experience of freedom and, of course, they do not want to see that reduced at all. There is also an inherent cultural prejudice towards mainland China among Hongkongers. This is a big problem which became especially apparent during the protests.

Let me illustrate this with my own life story. 20 years ago, I asked colleagues and students if I could ever be considered a Hongkonger. They said no! How could I be? I was not Chinese and spoke little Cantonese. However, that has changed. I would say that nowadays the “ethnic other” is not seen so much as a western expat or a person belonging to a South Asian minority group.

Instead, it’s a mainlander.

YHK Do you think that a specific Cantonese pop culture can survive despite politics?

Film or music, for example?

GM You can’t leave politics out of sense of identity whether it rests on pop culture or not. Instead we can ask where will Hong Kong’s new sense of identity come from. I ask my students this question. Some of them believe that there are elements of Hong Kong culture that will survive, such as creativity or design. And of course, Hong Kong has its own linguistic identity. But there is definitely also uneasiness among those who think that Hong Kong will become just another Greater Bay Area city.

YHK While Hong Kong transitions into a more integral part of the nation, what do you think are youth’s biggest hurdles?

GM In the immediate context we see the hurdles in two different forms of government, both of which have validity and both of which have problems. Hong Kong young people like freedom and they see freedoms being limited in China, whether in terms of access to

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Interviews June 2022∣Youth Hong Kong

YHK Against that background, which soft skills do Hong Kong youth need to develop most urgently if they are to be sensitive enough to differences and improve intercultural understanding, particularly vis-à-vis mainland China?

To answer that question, I think we first have to ask what kind of city will Hong Kong become? Will it become like Singapore or Beijing? Or something else entirely? I don’t think we have any answers. We will have to wait and see if the new government is able to forge a sense of unity through communication with the people.

YHK If unity depends on good communication and that depends on sensitivity, do you think Hong Kong youth need most to develop awareness of others and greater sensitivity to the ways others think?

GM Young people here have begun developing a sense of cultural sensitivity. To acquire sharper awareness involves listening carefully as well as talking. Many misunderstandings can be seen among the city’s Chinese population as well as across generations. You saw that happening during the protests where the police and the protesters were in opposition. But yet, at the same time, communication at a certain level was possible.

I heard of a family where the father was a policeman and the son was a protester. They couldn’t talk about what was happening outside but each time, before

they left home, they told each other to be careful.

Communication is essential for overcoming differences, whether they are cultural or generational. I would say this is especially so for young people. The fact is that trust in authority depends on good communication and we have seen that trust being lost in Hong Kong. It has to be regained or the exodus of Hongkongers will continue. This is not just about a generation, it really is for everyone.

YHK What hopes do you have for Hong Kong’s future?

GM What I hope is that a critical form of patriotism will develop in Hong Kong youth. China has made extraordinary progress. There are real reasons to be proud of China. At the same time, without a greater degree of openness in China, many young Hongkongers will not warm to it. Two-way communication is surely possible to overcome prejudice and achieve reconciliation. I hope Hong Kong will continue to be a vibrant space that makes its own unique contributions, not just within China but in the world as a whole.

Prof Gordon Mathews of the Chinese University’s Department of Anthropology has published articles and books about the global cultural supermarket and the meanings of culture today, about what it means to “belong to a nation” in Hong Kong and elsewhere.

*Global Culture/Individual Identity. Mathews, G; Routledge, 2000

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Strengthening Hong Kong’s distinctiveness l The Greater Bay Area [GBA], a nodal point for Hong Kong’s future economy, is the focus of much discussion today.

l 香港科技大學公共政策研究學部教授劉浩典表示，與 內地相比，他對香港的獨特優勢充滿信心——作為國 際金融和商業服務中心。

l Opportunities for young people to develop careers there have become increasingly evident, albeit clouded in recent years by the pandemic.

l 他強調，香港在疫情後的復蘇明顯領先內地，雖然與 內地通關是重要，但香港應優先與世界其他地區接 軌。

l YHK asks Prof Donald Low of HKUST’s Institute for Emerging Market Studies, what he thinks about the barriers that still exist, and how Hong Kong maintain competitive edge.

l 劉教授指，在大灣區「以用戶為導向」的領域中， 有 很 多 創 造 就 業 的 機 會， 比 如 本 地 科 技 物 流 公 司 Lalamove、旅遊科技公司 Klook 均值得借鏡。

“Barriers between Hong Kong and the GBA, the Pearl River Delta as it used to be called, have been falling for some time, particularly where infrastructure and connectivity are concerned. Most established businesses in Hong Kong have strong links in the GBA. I think the next hurdles to overcome are the barriers between people and between the different regulatory environments and institutions.”

“The GBA is moving from low-end to high-end technology whereas Hong Kong has an established knowledge-based service economy.” While there are advantages of scale, given the geographical size of the GBA, Hong Kong can emphasize its breadth of skills and experience on an international level. By leveraging its unique advantages as a globally oriented financial and business services hub, it is possible to overcome some of the problems it faces, both in economic recovery and further integration with the GBA, he assures us.

There are lots of opportunities for job creation in ‘user-oriented’ areas in the GBA.

While he has no doubt that certain barriers will exist until the dynamic zero-covid strategy changes, Prof Low stresses that it’s already clear how far ahead of mainland China Hong Kong is on the road to post-pandemic recovery. He points out how very unfortunate it would be to jeopardize its recovery now. “It’s possible to prioritize the opening of the mainland border as a key policy goal. But, the sequence of opening up can be different from priorities. Hong Kong can and should open up to the rest of the world first and not wait any longer.”

Prof Low is confident of the strengths that lie in Hong Kong’s distinctiveness when compared to mainland China.

When asked about sectors where youthful Hong Kong talent should focus, he says that careers in trade and logistics, financial services and other industries that are technology-intensive have appeal for many young people. He reminds us of the higher salaries that go with them. “The skills needed are increasingly tradable across borders and talented professionals in Hong Kong can build on this and develop a distinctive competitive edge vis-à-vis their counterparts in mainland China.”

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Interview June 2022∣Youth Hong Kong

New areas where they might also focus include ESG and design. “Hong Kong is well-positioned in these ‘sunrise’ industries, especially ESG which requires businesses to reengineer their strategies related to environmental, social and governance objectives. Architectural and product design are two other strong points,” Prof Low says. “There are lots of opportunities for job creation in these ‘user-oriented’ areas in the GBA.” Innovation in Hong Kong high-tech business platforms such as Lalamove and Klook point the way.

Where financial services are concerned, he thinks there is definitely scope for technology disruptions that could benefit consumers. “There is some complacency in the traditional financial services sector, but the rise of virtual banking might mean that this sector will see more competition instead of being dominated by the same few players.”

and corporations to ensure diverse sources of supply, and in some cases, to pursue self-sufficiency in some critical goods and technologies. “That’s not necessarily good news for Hong Kong which has always been relied on the free flow of goods, services, capital, and people across borders.”

As a result, he says the opportunities offered by regional integration in the GBA will become even more important for Hong Kong and its talented younger generation. “The pandemic should have told us how important it is not to ‘put all one’s eggs in the same basket’,” as the saying goes.

Prof Low goes on to emphasize that trade is not a zero-sum game. He uses the massive growth in volume of exports from mainland China as an example, and says that despite the recent slowdown, Hong Kong’s role as an entrepôt has continued to grow in absolute terms, despite the emergence of competition from new centres of economic dynamism in the country. “As long as the overall pie is getting bigger, Hong Kong should not worry too much that its share of the pie isn’t growing,” he says.

Zero-covid has not yet destroyed Hong Kong’s appeal, nor its unique blend of economic advantages.

Looking at the wider context of today’s troubled world, Prof Low reflects on the fragmentation of globalization. “Trade is likely to become more regional and even local as a result of the US-China trade war, global supply chain disruptions during the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and a general disillusionment with globalization in much of the developed world.” These have amplified pressures on governments

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Still, the current slowdown in the Chinese economy as a result of zero-covid is creating numerous problems, not least with global supply chains. The regulatory crackdown

By Davin88, CC BY-SA 4.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>

on consumer-facing technology platforms has also has also caused an erosion of confidence in the sector’s ability to create more good jobs, Prof Low says, “especially since talented young people in China previously saw it as an attractive career prospect.” Prof Low also highlights the problem of neijuan* that young people in China struggle with, saying that it has “created anxiety and a sense of disillusionment that people have to work longer hours in tough jobs just to maintain their relative positions.”

“In such an environment, the competitiveness of Hong Kong youth lies in their ability to work smart, their expertise in the areas that Hong Kong is strong in, and their familiarity with the international system and the rule of law,” Prof Low emphasizes.

Asked about the ongoing attractiveness of Hong Kong for young people as a place to work and live, Prof Low was upbeat. “The city can still maintain its prominence and appeal as China’s most globalized and globally-oriented city, especially for young professionals. I don’t agree with those who have written off Hong Kong.” On the contrary, he says,

Hong Kong still has that big city international draw that has always attracted young, mobile talent, even in comparison to its perennial rival in this part of the world, Singapore.

“Zero-covid has not yet destroyed Hong Kong’s appeal, nor its unique blend of economic advantages, he says. “But what is needed now is a strong signal from the new Chief Executive, that Hong Kong will open up soon to the rest of the world.”

Prof Donald Low is Director of HKUST Institute for Emerging Market Studies, Senior Lecturer and Professor of Practice at the HKUST Institute for Public Policy and Director of Leadership and Public Policy Executive Education at HKUST. He is an accomplished consultant and lecturer in economics, decision-making, risk analysis, inequality and social policy.

Nei juan, tang ping and lying flat Frustrated by never-ending competition over limited opportunities, people from all walks of life in mainland China, especially disillusioned young people, talk about nei juan or noi guen [ 內卷 ]. They are often responding to the “9-96” work culture which encourages employees to work 9am to 9pm, six days a week. Directly translated, nei juan means “involution”– a technical term from anthropology. They react with tang ping/ton ging [ 躺平 ] or “lying flat”.

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Youth speak June 2022∣Youth Hong Kong

Cantonese culture recognizing reality l Policymakers and some other members of the older generation are urging young people to look outwards to mainland China and the world beyond Hong Kong for their future. l Those who reflect on their circumstances often find it hard to see clear pathways. l Recognizing their professional potential, these voices of young adults in their 20s and 30s reveal concerns about the future of their city.

l 當政策制定者或上一輩都在敦促年輕人應將未來放眼 於內地和香港以外的世界時，他們可否先聆聽青年對 個人前景，以至這個城市的種種迷惘和憂慮？ l 大部分青年均有意在 5 年內赴海外發展，包括歐洲、 新加坡等地，亦有人正為移民與否而煩惱。 l 有青年提到，無論日後身在何地，仍希望盡力捍衛特 色文化、人權自由等香港重要文化和核心價值。

At a time when Hong Kong reaches its 25th year as a Special Administrative Region, residents of all ages ponder the years to come. While some hope for a new start, many young people say that for them would mean being free of boundaries, finding better life-work balance and having the chance to work on something they love. Still, they treasure their unique heritage and culture, see pats of it disappearing and want to preserve what’s left before it’s too late.

Camila is 24. She is a journalist by profession and her thoughts turn westwards for the future.

An aspirational young lady, Camila wants to use her skills and experience in the media world to make a good impact on the society to which she belongs.

Nevertheless, the boundaries and challenges to social mobility in Hong Kong cannot be denied, she says.

“I would say the greatest hurdle is the fast-changing social and political environment. It has been really difficult and uncertain for me. As a youngster trying to plan my future career in Hong Kong. I want to explore and in five years’ time, I think I would like to be working in Central Asia or Europe but whether to emigrate or not is one of the key factors.”

Wherever she goes, the values Camila grew up with in Hong Kong will go with her. “The uniqueness of Hong Kong includes free speech and freedom of the press.”

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The city’s independent judicial and legislative system are also part of its uniqueness, she says. “Given its historical background as a British colonial city, we were promised certain privileges and human rights but because of the severe political system, they have been eroded in recent years.”

In order to do that, I study and read and never set boundaries for myself.

For a mature public discussion on such topics, Camila recognizes how important it is to stay wellinformed. “I think the only way to preserve our unique culture and heritage is to start with our own daily lives. Regardless of how small a step we might take, by reading more and knowing more, we can stay united with others and hold onto our values.”

Adam is 24. He believes that his city is still full of job opportunities and wants to work here in the public-service sector.

I studied social sciences at university and hope that by working in the public service sector I can use what I learned to contribute to the city that I was born and raised in.

He says unaffordable housing is a big hurdle in the way of upward mobility in Hong Kong. “No matter how hard I work, I’ll still be unable to afford my own home, let alone move up the social ladder. More subsidized housing is needed and that’s the government’s responsibility.” Private housing will never get prices down in the next few years, Adam says. “The government owns a lot of land that could be put in better use.”

Adam also places great value on having exposure to as many cultures as possible. “I’ve always been thrilled to meet people of different cultures, to learn their languages and customs. The world is a much bigger place than we can imagine, and there are countless cultures, countless possibilities to be explored.

On the subject of culture, Adam thinks Cantonese could disappear. “I want to do what I can to keep the language alive. It has a unique beauty and represents the people of Hong Kong. It also has a rich history that goes back centuries, yet it has features that show how strongly multinational culture has influenced the city. So I’ll also continue to support local films and Cantopop because I think these are the most influential platforms for Cantonese but I also want to teach it to my future kids and my foreign friends.”

Even though he loves to travel, for Adam, it’s Hong Kong food that best represents diversity. “You can be in a fancy western restaurant one minute and the next you can be sitting in a local tea shop enjoying good value food like dry fried beef noodles and Hongkong-style milk tea. There’s no place like it.”

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Youth speak June 2022∣Youth Hong Kong

35-year-old Luca is a designer whose future lies in London’s creative media industry.

There are big barriers to upward mobility wherever you are, Luca says. “But in Hong Kong, I already see too many competitors in the creative media sector and hope there will be more government subsidies available to support it.” He says that there need to be cheaper venue rentals for events. “With these and through education, more young people would be encouraged to join an industry that reflects our cultural background.”

Cantonese culture is represented best by its language, including slang and song lyrics. You can find a wonderful outlet for creativity in locallyproduced videos, where there are artists playing with words in English, Cantonese and Putonghua.”

Where work is concerned, he is realistic and recognizes how important it is to have a stable job to support a young family. “My greatest hope in life is to be able to create without any financial burden.”

Luca has the courage to seek a new start overseas, but he will take his language skills with him. “I am afraid that Cantonese will be replaced by Putonghua in Hong Kong very soon, so when I create my art, especially when I draw, I will use Cantonese slang and try to help keep the Cantonese language alive by using it, wherever I am.”

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Rita is 31. She works in marketing and advertising.

In five years’ time I would be happy to be working in Hong Kong Singapore or Shanghai. I believe all three of these Asian cities are full of potential for people like me.

Despite the upbeat note, Rita says she thinks Hong Kong’s competitive advantage is no longer as strong as it once was. “Opportunities to benefit from international trade and business have decreased.” The government and the private sector together should be offering support in response, she says, “More programmes need to be designed for 30- 40-year-old talented people so that they can start up new businesses and embrace new trends.”

While thinking of ways in which she might make a new start, at the same time, Rita is looking back at Hong Kong’s heritage and recognizing how important it is to preserve history. She realizes that Hong Kong architecture represents ways in which Hong Kong lived in the past.

“The redbrick buildings, places like Yau Ma Tei police station and the fruit market, they’re authentic examples and they embody thousands of stories in the texture, colour and shape of their structure. I don’t like to simplify Hong Kong culture by saying it’s just ‘West meet East’. The history of small, neglected groups of Hongkongers is an integral part of its architecture and that history can easily be forgotten.”

As well as wanting to preserve Hong Kong’s heritage, Rita hopes for balance in her life. “What I want most is the freedom to work with passion while working for passionate reasons. In order to achieve that, I must love what I do in life.”

Kwong-chiu, aged 31 like Rita, expects to continue working in the IT field for the next few years.

If given the choice, Kwong-chui says he wants to be working in Singapore in five years’ time. “My greatest aspiration in life is to use my knowledge to help the society to become a better place. To achieve that goal, I will do my best to continue learning and working on meaningful ideas.”

“Our efficiency and language, the flexibility of our business environment and the freedom to share information, these are what represent Hong Kong culture best.”

I run my own business and see the freedom to share information as a keystone of Hong Kong’s unique culture. But I think it is the one that is most likely to disappear in the coming years.

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On the agenda June 2022∣Youth Hong Kong

Competitiveness in the Greater Bay Area

Views of Hong Kong youth l The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is thriving and brighter employment prospects there are expected.

l 滙豐和青協青年研究中心最近一項研究顯示，720 名受 訪本地大學生中，近 8 成人認為於大灣區創業的前景樂 觀。

l A recent HSBC and HKFYG Youth Research Centre study revealed confidence about competitiveness in the job market there.

l 有專家認為，本港青年在大灣區發展的優勢在於良好的 英文能力以及具國際視野，不過大部分受訪者對個人職 業道德方面的競爭力更具信心，例如誠信和責任感。

l Respondents selected for the study were all local university students already interested in career pathways threr in the GBA.

l 受訪者亦預計在大灣區發展將面臨各種挑戰，包括欠缺 當地人際社交網絡、與內地人才競爭、對內地法律缺乏 深入認知等。

Figure 1: PILOT GBA Skill Set Professionalism

Innovativeness

Language Ability

Openness

Teamwork

- Professional knowledge

- Creativity

- Putonghua

- Cultural intelligence

- Emotional intelligence

- Professional ethics (e.g. integrity, sense of responsibility)

- Digital literacy

- English

- Sustainable development mindset

- Communication & coordination

- Global perspective

- Flexibility & adaptability to change

- Independent learning ability

This study, based on literature reviewed by international bodies, asked 720 Hong Kong tertiary students in Year 3 or higher. They had already shown interest in developing careers in the GBA. A framework of employability skills for the GBA with 13 factors was created as part of the study as is shown above.

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Self-assessment of factors contributing to confidence and competitiveness was a metric used in the study.

Various abilities for career- building in the nine mainland GBA municipalities were rated on a 0-10 scale, where 10 indicated the greatest confidence. It was concluded that overall confidence in competitiveness was between 8.38 and 6.17. Findings can be found in Figure 2.

Figure 2 Self-evaluation of abilities for careerbuilding in GBA municipalities

Professional ethics (e.g. integrity, sense of responsibility)

Confidence rating 8.38

Putonghua

8.04

Flexibility & adaptability to change

7.78

Cultural intelligence

7.78

Emotional intelligence

7.76

Communication & coordination

7.63

Global perspective

7.56

Sustainable development mindset

7.56

Professional knowledge

7.43

Independent learning ability

7.38

English

7.15

Creativity

6.73

Digital literacy

6.17

79.7% of the student respondents agreed that “the outlook for a business startup in the GBA was positive” whereas 90.1% agreed that gaining a scholarship or seed funding would be helpful when deciding whether to make a move. Internship and employment opportunities as well as a one-stop online platform providing information about studying, working, starting a business and living in the GBA was also desirable.

Most attractive incentive Career prospects:

84.1%

Market size:

84.0%

Social networks:

70.7%

Most interesting industry sectors Cultural and creative:

17.9%

Financial services:

17.6%

Technology and innovation:

17.2%

The most attractive work location for 52.5% of respondents was Shenzhen, followed by Guangzhou which was the top choice of 19.4%, although 11% of respondents said it was hard to assess attractiveness of the various cities. Other challenges remain with 70.9% of Hong Kong youth actually unaware of the opportunities in the GBA and many have misgivings about the social system they might face. Figures 3 and 4 have details.

Figure 3 What worries you most about building a career in a GBA municipality?

Free flow of information Housing Public order Healthcare Food safety Others Nothing to worry about Don’t know/ Hard to say

Percentage of positive replies 24.6% 20.7% 15.4% 9.7% 6.7% 1.1% 16.1% 5.7%

Figure 4 What are the major challenges to building a career in a GBA municipality?

Lack of mainland social networks Talented competition from the mainland Lack of understanding of mainland legal system Lack of mainland work experience Lack of understanding of mainland trading system Lack of understanding of mainland taxation system Lack of mainland job-hunting channels Low salaries Difficulty adapting to mainland work culture Lack of information about starting a business on the mainland Poor spoken Putonghua Difficulty adapting to local lifestyle Others Don’t know/ Hard to say

Percentage of positive replies  52.6% 49.3% 48.9% 45.1% 43.9% 40.1% 39.7% 38.8% 34.0% 31.3% 30.4% 29.4% 0.4% 1.8%

When asked about how they might best prepare themselves for pursuing opportunities in the GBA, 63.9% of respondents expressed willingness to join work experience or internship programmes. 51.4% were willing to learn more about the GBA industrial sector outlook and 41.3% chose taking part in activities such as workshops or GBA knowledge exchange programmes as ways to boost their confidence.

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On the agenda June 2022∣Youth Hong Kong

Other comments 26 youth who were studying, working or trying to set up a business in the GBA were also interviewed. They agreed that having first-hand experience of local life and culture had helped them to make clearer decisions, with those who had had to extend their stay due to the pandemic saying this had allowed them to gain a deeper understanding of the area since they had been unable to return home as often as they would normally.

Comments on the study were also received from 16 experts in the GBA including academics and employers.

They noted that Hong Kong youth’s comparatively strong English language skills coupled with global perspective could help raise the quality of services provided by mainland enterprises and open the door to international markets. Nevertheless, ability in English was not among the top abilities according to self-assessment. (See Figure 1.) Experts also noted that young Hongkongers could offer relatively more work experience in urban management and professional services in the GBA. Nevertheless, competition amongst talented young professionals is getting fiercer in the GBA. Therefore, improving competitiveness is a prerequisite if Hong Kong youth are to increase their chances of being hired.

In addition to certain misconceptions about pursuing careers in mainland China, local youth do not always have appropriate practical operational skills or an adequate understanding of urban planning policies and industry prospects currently existing in the GBA. Inevitably, these shortcomings could exacerbate limitations on career growth and experts advised young people who are willing to work in the GBA to target industries and cities that suit them personally before building up experience that could help advance their trajectory on a career pathway.

Other recommendations included opening up more opportunities for internships, as well as considering job rotations between the GBA cities to strengthen young people’s practical professional skills, facilitate talent mobility and increase competitiveness. The report also recommended building online learning platforms to cover skill sets and personality traits useful for the GBA employment (see Figure 1). In the long run, any qualifications obtained

on such a platform should have mutual recognition by authorities and employers in Hong Kong and the GBA to ensure quality control and a level playing field.

The study also suggested the need to integrate the concept of career pathways in the GBA in life planning education for secondary students in Hong Kong. This would support government subsidies for organizations participating in schemes such as the “GBA Career Exploration Scheme”. Through company and factory visits, alongside job shadowing, youth could also learn more about emerging opportunities in the GBA. Poll results Date of research Respondents

Powered by

HKFYG Youth Research Centre

Full report at hkfyg.org.hk/en/2022/05/19/gba_study_en/

oecd.org/education/2030-project/teaching-and-learning/learning/skills/Skills_for_2030_concept_note.pdf Loshkareva, E et al (2018). Skills of the future. worldskills.ru/assets/docs/media/WSdoklad_12_okt_eng.pdf?platform=hootsuite

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Research Partner

香港青年協會青年研究中心

References 1. OECD (2019). Skills for 2030.

2. info.gov.hk/gia/general/202101/08/P2021010700723.htm

Published May 2022 by HSBC and the HKFYG Youth Research Centre March-December 2021 720 tertiary students in Year 3 or above

Changing times, changing prospects study and work in the GBA l Findings of several recent surveys about studying and working in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) or elsewhere in mainland China show changes in levels of interest.

l 近期多項調查顯示，青年對於到大灣區 或內地其他地區工作或升學的意欲有所 改變。

l Some attitudes appear to have become more positive although there is ongoing concern about fitting into a society with a different culture.

l 雖然有部分青年擔憂未能適應內地社會 環境及文化差異，但對於到大灣區發展 的態度漸趨正面。

l The surveys add to the evidence collected during HKFYG surveys last year that showed salaries and stability are important for young job hunters but unfamiliarity with mainland Chinese culture is a very significant detractor.

l 青協去年一項調查反映，年輕求職者最 重視工作薪酬及穩定性，但對內地文化 不熟悉使他們卻步。

As the generation that grew up through turbulent times in Hong Kong comes of age, policymakers are urging young people to seriously consider being prepared to relocate to mainland China for study or work. How realistic is this at a time when many of their mainland counterparts aged 16-24 are faced with unemployment? Running at 18% in April – the jobless rate for youth there is at its highest since official records began. Many mainland say “bai lan.” In other words, why not stay at home and watch TV all day.

This matches the concept of "lying flat" or adopting a low profile if you have little choice rather than struggling to survive in a highly competitive rat-race. Not only privileged youth but a quarter of young people from low-income Hong Kong families have reached the same conclusion to a recent survey by the Society for Community Organisation. Youth's response has been criticized by Hong Kong's education authorities but HKFYG surveys last year showed that work-life balance was a top factor when choosing where to live and work.

Federation surveys last year also explored similar topics and were reported in the June and September issues of this magazine. Let's look now at what the other surveys say.

Go to Study* The Hok Yau Club - an NGO, Hong Kong Baptist University, and MWYO - a think tank, have all recently published figures that reflect an uptick in interest in studying, being an intern or working in mainland China, including the Greater Bay Area (GBA). Retrospective figures can also be found in the March 2015 issue of Youth Hong Kong.

For a snapshot of interest since 2018, there are regular Hok Yau Club surveys which usually have a sample of about 2,000 students.

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On the agenda June 2022∣Youth Hong Kong

• •

•

•

In 2018, it concluded that 19% of students were considering enrolling in mainland China programmes, a 2% rise on 2017.

By 2021, the figure had dropped to 11%, although about 20% more Hong Kong students applied to mainland universities compared to 2020. The surge was linked to a broader increase in interest in studying at universities outside Hong Kong – even as competition for spots at local institutions declined.

By 2022, about 44% of DSE students said they would consider mainland study. 70% of those willing to go said the GBA was their first choice. The top three reasons were “academic performance”, “future development opportunities”, and the “variety of courses on offer.”

Among those who were not interested, the three top reasons were “differences in political and social environment”, “cultural differences” and “the study environment” over half showed no interest whatsoever.

Go to work A survey undertaken last year by the Hong Kong Baptist University found that among 2,000 young Hongkongers aged 21-40, nearly half of whom had a university degree, considered the government’s Greater Bay Area Youth Employment Scheme to be unattractive. The majority thought that the educational requirements of the scheme should be relaxed.

Instead of getting a job, more students wanted to go on work visits or internships in the bay area rather than moving to live there. Nearly half realized that understanding the mainland China market would be an advantage for future careers, but still had major concerns about adapting to mainland work culture, policies and regulations.

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Look for the upside In December last year, a MWYO survey found that 12.5% of the 1,002 respondents aged 18-34 were interested in taking full-time jobs in the GBA, a slight drop from 13.4% in a similar survey two years previously.

Attractors •

• • •

Among those interested, about two in three believed that Guangdong cities offered better career prospects than Hong Kong, which they felt had become less competitive.

Some thought working in the GBA would help broaden their horizons and provide good learning opportunities.

Others were drawn by the lower living costs and higher incomes.

The survey also found that those in senior positions or with mainland work experience were more attracted to moving to the bay area.

Detractors For the majority not interested in moving, nearly half cited personal reasons, including their lack of fluency in Mandarin and having to look after family members at home. Negative perceptions of the mainland were a key factor that put off young people too such as: • medical and health care • information freedom • social security • environmental protection food safety • democracy and rule of law Nevertheless, researchers say there were still 180,000 young people willing to move, and more were actively seeking information and jobs.

Employment scheme İmpact study

Some MWYO recommendations

The MWYO think tank has also been involved in a longitudinal impact study to assess the effectiveness of the Greater Bay Area Youth Employment Scheme. The study was in collaboration with the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and included online surveys and in-depth interviews and the aim was to understand the views, expectations and difficulties encountered by both employers and employees taking part in the scheme.

•

Key findings Employers Most employers interviewed in the study complained about difficulties in administrative and human resource matters related to the government scheme even though they learned more about the skills of newly hired graduates.

• 82% said the scheme helped them understand the level of job-related skills of the young graduates they hired • 63% cited an increase in their human resources workload as result of their participation in the scheme • 50%s found the application process for employer allowances too complicated • 44% encountered difficulties in dealing with corporate tax arrangements related to the scheme • 31 % had problems dealing with the personal tax matters related to the scheme Employees • 93% reported that the Scheme supported their career development • 81% mentioned that the Scheme supported their life development beyond • 78% considered that the Scheme supported their professional development Notes *Hong Kong students can apply directly to eligible mainland universities based on their DSE exam results. Compared to the millions of mainland students who need to compete through the National College Entrance Examination, being able to apply directly based on DSE exam results is an easier path to university, signifying preferential treatment towards Hong Kong students.

• • • •

Repackage the Scheme as the “GBA Talent Scheme” and raise the allowance amount to attract more highly competitive applicants Allow only Hong Kong permanent residents to apply rather than including all Hong Kong residents who are lawfully employable in Hong Kong Set a quota for Hong Kong employees graduating from mainland China universities Widen eligibility criteria to admit all graduates within the previous five years Improve the efficiency of the application and allowance application process by making better use of online platforms

A new chapter?

The central government recently announced a major stimulus package to shore up the economy. It included offering companies subsidies for hiring fresh graduates who will enter the job market in record numbers this year. The Shenzhen Government website was upbeat, saying that the city had “attracted some 229,100 talents and accepted 90,300 fresh graduates.” Shenzhen is the city of choice for many young professionals. Nevertheless, the economic slowdown is severe and economists remain cautious. It can be expected that young people will feel the same.

Read more • theguardian.com/world/2022/may/26/the-rise-of-bai-lan-why-chinas-frustrated-youth-are-ready-tolet-it-rot • scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/2135641/fewer-hong-kong-students-will-headmainland-china-and • thestandard.com.hk/section-news/section/4/228131/students-turn-away-from-mainland • scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3136811/number-hongkongers-seeking-studymainland-china-taiwan • thestandard.com.hk/section-news/section/11/239750/Students-open-to-mainland-unis • scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3160135/greater-bay-area-offers-jobs-careeropportunities-lower • mwyo.org/en/7fgxgw • mwyo.org/en/life_planning_research_details.php?id=131 • mwyo.org/en/life_planning_research_details.php?id=63 • mwyo.org/en/future_hk_research_details.php?id=139 • dlapiper.com/~/media/files/insights/publications/2021/12/dla-piper_greater-bay-area_cross-borderemployment-and-tax-guide_dec_2021.pdf • sz.gov.cn/en_szgov/news/infocus/gba/news/content/post_9514478.html • scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3181419/nearly-1-4-young-hongkongers-low-incomefamilies-lying-flat • yrc.hkfyg.org.hk/en/2021/03/15/tackling-hong-kongs-brain-drain/ • yrc.hkfyg.org.hk/en/2021/08/02/navigating-career-opportunities-for-young-people/

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HKFYG Services June 2022∣Youth Hong Kong

Next generation scholarships getting ready for GBA careers l Cooerpated by HSBC and HKFYG, the HSBC Greater Bay Area (Hong Kong) Scholarships are now available through HKFYG’s Youth Exchange Unit and Youth Employment Network. l They are part of a “Skills Learning Programme” that brings outstanding young scholarship winners together with expert advisers. l A Scholarship awardee(s) describes the inspiration she has found and her high hopes for the future.

As interest in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) grows, more and more young people see future career pathways ahead of them. The region’s market potential means that starting a business or developing a career there is more attractive than ever before.

That is why the HKFYG Youth Exchange and Youth Employment Network have jointly launched this GBA scholarship programme to offer training for talented youth. With support from HSBC, scholarship awardees will enhance their employability and work skills, plan their careers and find support for their future development in the GBA. Three Talent Training Goals Gaining first-class, first-hand experience in the GBA is at the heart of the programme. By listening to industry leaders, entrepreneurs and mentors who can share a wide range of perspectives, talented young programme participants make the most of relevant expertise with: • • •

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skills enhancement broadening horizons professional collaboration

l 在滙豐贊助下，青協青年交流部與青年就業網絡推出大 灣區獎學金計劃，為有才華的青年提供就業培訓，協助 他們未來於大灣區發展。 l 透過與行業領袖、企業家和導師的親身互動，大大增加 青年對在大灣區工作的認識，並藉此提升個人技能、擴 闊視野。 l 其中一名大學三年級獎學金得主 Pearl 表示，盼望在計 劃支持下，畢業後能夠更順利到內地和海外交流和實習。

Mentorship benefits The programme will match young people like Pearl with professionals from all walks of life offering: • • •

ideal support for future career planning help to broaden knowledge base and networks widening horizons in a range of industries

Workshop topics Access to timely information is a major driving force in any successful career while research and development is at the core of growth and investment. Instead of learning about the Bay Area only from textbooks, workshop participants learn from the real-life, practical experience of industry leaders by: • • • • •

analysis of domestic consumption patterns exploring business culture and development blueprints understanding about work and life in the GBA devising effective business models making ideas about starting ​​ a business into reality

Support features Through the skills improvement workshops, internships and mentorships, it is hoped that scholarship awardees will not only gain knowledge but also build on their positive attitudes, discover new opportunities and gain in the strengths that match the pioneering challenge ahead of them.

Pearl, one of the Scholarship awardee(s) and a third-year university student majoring in Global China Studies says, “There is a huge domestic market in mainland China and the GBA has policy advantages that surely will attract talent. Indeed, the GBA is a hothouse for emerging industries and that is a great help to budding entrepreneurs.”

Knowing how important it is to equip herself well before graduating, Pearl believes that the Skills Learning Programme included in the scholarship will be of great benefit to her. “At the training workshops and practical sharing sessions on doing business, I think I will find both mentors and friends.”

Pearl is not only finding out about the current situation and developing trends in the banking industry by making contact with leading figures in the financial sector, she says that she also has high hopes of making good use of the sales and communication skills she learned in her past work experience.

She hopes that with the support of the programme, she will be able to identify more exciting opportunities for exchange and internships in mainland China as well as overseas while finishing her degree. She will also complete her research project on a development model for the GBA in her last year of study. By analyzing successes and shortcomings so far, Pearl expects to be able to pinpoint the hurdles to come while identifying avenues to explore in future.

Organized by Youth Exchange Unit Tel: 3586 8448 Email: ye@hkfyg.org.hk Web: ye.hkfyg.org.hk Youth Employment Network Tel: 3113 7999 Email: yen@hkfyg.org.hk Web: yen.hkfyg.org.hk 23

HKFYG Services June 2022∣Youth Hong Kong

Stepping Forward with Commitment to Hong Kong l This new initiative by the HKFYG aims to replenish the city’s store of positive energy by engaging young people in community services, economic development and understanding the opportunities in the Greater Bay Area.

l 香港邁進新里程，青協推出「起步為香港」計 劃，鼓勵青年以行動發揮願意為香港的精神， 投入社區、經濟和灣區建設，為社會未來締造 新希望。

l More than 20,000 young people will actively participate in volunteering, competitions, policy advocacy, internship and educational activities and programmes.

l 超過 20,000 青年將起步向前，從參與社區鄰舍 隊義工、建言獻策平台，以至各項比賽、實習 計劃和學習課程等，展現積極正向能量。

For the past two years, Hong Kong, like the rest of the world has suffered the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic Not only has there been direct, severe impact on the economy in general but also on the livelihoods and employment of individuals, particularly young people.

At HKFYG, we believe there is no better time than now to show young people the strength of our support. We hope in turn to encourage their commitment to the wider community with varied programmes beginning in June.

Three Pronged Approach Through such commitments and a replenishment of positive youthful energy, we hope to see economic development in the city revive: • with young people serving others for Hong Kong’s future • in the wider Greater Bay Area, as well at home • looking forward to an energetic city with hope and optimism Commitment to Hong Kong NeighbourhoodFirst: volunteering in 18 districts In a new start for community development, we will recruit and mobilize 10,000 young people from HKFYG’s NeighbourhoodFirst programme:

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• • • •

engaging volunteers to get active in all Hong Kong 18 districts public health education support community networks improving neighbourhoods and their surrounding environment

Competition for young volunteers There will be a creative competition called “What do you want for our city?”

• with volunteers from NeighbourhoodFirst teams • interaction with government officials, district councillors, members of the Legislative Council and other stakeholders • discussion on livelihood issues • exploring imaginative ways to build an ideal city Economic Development Youth Think Tank More than 1,000 young people will provide advice, exchange views, offer good ideas and practical solutions, demonstrating professionalism, and enriching the local economy in five fields: • financial innovation • elderly care • housing and city planning • sustainable development • cultural and creative industries

Advocacy for commitment to the city An online series will be produced, with members of the Economic Development Youth Think Tank and other young people: • discussing recovery-specific proposals • sharing and exchanging ideas with government officials, advisory committees and professional stakeholders • aiming to promote social and economic development D&A – The “Diagnose and Advocate” Competition The competition will encourage young people to diagnose areas of challenge in Hong Kong society.

• using creative and innovative approaches • thinking of practical, applicable solutions • helping to solve social problems • creating social value and influence GBA study programmes This will engage young people to focus on the GBA as well as the skills and attitudes required to make the best of opportunities there, such as: • professional aptitude • innovation • language fluency • open mindedness • teamwork

Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao GBA project study Secondary school students will be invited to design their own project-based learning programmes about the GBA: • gaining more in-depth understanding of the region and its culture • designing their own methods to learn about the GBA • using interactive, diverse strategies to move forward Virtual internship programme More than 500 university students will gain exposure to opportunities and mainland workplace culture: • building their own networks in the 9+2 cities in the GBA • gaining work experience • developing career pathways

More details

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HKFYG Services June 2022∣Youth Hong Kong

Nurturing sustainability leaders with HKFYG’s Leadership Institute l A new online programme has been launched by the HKFYG Leadership Institute to give students a taste of university-style learning and build competence in sustainability leadership. l This Pre-University Pilot Programme was run in partnership with speakers from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). l More than 20 schools joined in for the two series featuring interactive collaboration and discussion.. l The programme motivated 90% of participants to initiate positive social change.

The guided questions helped me realize and reflect on the relationship between sustainability and finance.

l 香港青年協會領袖學院與香港中文大學和 香港科技大學攜手合作，為中四至中六學 生開展線上線下的創新領袖計劃，逾 20 間 中學參與其中。 l 透過一系列有關全球文化、可持續發展的 講座，計劃皆在培養學生的國際視野，刺 激他們的思考模式。 l 參加者均表示獲益良多：「教授與我們經 常互動」、「我欣賞講者的知識淵博和熱 情，以及把握每個機會去鼓勵我們思考。」

Key learning objectives • Recognition of the role of future leaders as global citizens who can initiate sustainable change • Exploration of the relationship between universal values, sustainability, development and the economy • Development of a global perspective on cultural preservation and sustainable, green business practices • Preparation for tertiary education

Key speakers Series I: Culture Through the Lens of Environment and Globalization with CUHK Department of Anthropology Format Two-hour webinars with sharing and guided discussion sessions for students.

Prof Gordon Mathews Globalization and Culture Key learning points • How globalization transforms the meaning of culture • The “single culture” compared to the “global cultural supermarket” • The pros and cons of globalization for individuals, societies and the world • Hong Kong as a laboratory for globalization

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Dr Tam Man-kei Fukushima+11: Lessons from a Nuclear Disaster Key learning points • Humanity’s engagement with the environment • Historical and cross-cultural perspectives • The relationship between environmental crises and the cultures of survival

I appreciated how knowledgeable and passionate about the topic the presenter was and how he took every opportunity to inspire us and encourage us to think.

Series II: Green Finance: Needs, Concerns and Innovations with HKUST Sustainable and Green Finance Programme Prof Arthur Lau Director, BSc in Environmental Management and Technology Programme Resources or Waste?

Key learning points • Introduction to sustainability and green finance • Concept of life cycle approach in sustainability Circular Design Key learning points • Minimizing resources for production • Maximizing lifetime of consumable items • Circularity in product design Prof Keith Chan Assistant Professor, Division of Environment and Sustainability Maximizing Profit: Kill or Not Kill Key learning points • Role of economics from conventional and sustainability perspectives • Why life cycle information is important to consumers Partners • CUHK Department of Anthropology • HKUST Sustainable and Green Finance Programme Dates May to June 2022 Enquiries Sharon Tang Tel 2169 0255 WhatsApp 4643 9940 Email SGL@leadershipinstitute.hk More details

There was interaction with nearly everyone and feedback for all which gave better understanding of issues related to culture and sustainability.

Prof Veronique Lafon-Vinais Programme Co-Director, BSc in Sustainable and Green Finance The Rise of Sustainable Debt Finance Key learning points • Understanding the differences between debt and equity capital • How to design debt finance for sustainability purposes

The HKFYG Leadership Institute in the revitalized former Fanlng Magistracy aims to offer innovative, comprehensive training that gives students the experience of taking up leadership roles and applying leadership skills. Students range from upper primary schoolchildren to young executives. The Institute also actively engages key stakeholders such as parents and teachers who care deeply about youth leadership development.

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HKFYG June 2022∣Youth Hong Kong

Startups for empowerment S

tartup companies in the sports and fitness sector supported by HKFYG’s Social Innovation Centre (SIC) have been working together towards common goals during the pandemic and they will be offering some running-themed events for the second half of this year.

R-aces and Sports Brand: partners for running Despite disruptions caused by the pandemic, R-aces and other startups supported by HKFYG’s SIC, offered a silver lining that was all to do with fitness, online running, hiking and relay events as well as a basic running training course and a meeting of Metaverse Characters fans. Apart from raising revenue, the aim was to attract teenagers and fans who were not yet runners and help them get off to a good start.

November 2022: Running Training Course (Basic Level) Pre-race training jointly hosted by R-aces and Decathlon.

Stephen Poon, Level 1 coach of the Hong Kong Triathlon Association, will be providing expert tips for all runners on this course at Decathlon and Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground. It will enable runners aged 12 upwards to design individual training plans to suit themselves and avoid injury. Proper running posture and training plan design as well as circuit training for improving allround fitness will be part of the four-session course in November this year. New runners can learn basic running techniques while experienced runners can get professional advice and programmes that help brush up skills.

Highlights from 2021 • Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden Hikeathon and Treasure Hunt • Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Charity Relay Challenge • Minions Run Hong Kong Coming up in 2022 All of the planned events for early 2022 were postponed or cancelled because of the fifth wave of the pandemic.

In the second half of 2022, we look forward to several themed running events including Kanahei’s Small Animals Bun Fun Run 2022@Hong Kong in early November. Young entrepreneurs from the Vivacity startup will also be creating a Running Metaverse while R-aces will introduce more character-themed runs to encourage teenagers to get out and start running.

More details ksarun.hk 28

End of December 2022: Minions Run Hong Kong Celebrating the release of Minions: The Rise of Gru, the design of our runner’s pack for this event will include the cutest elements from the newest film. The upcoming computer-animated comedy film is bound to become a top favourite and the themed running gear will be a must-have for all Minions fans.

More details minionsrun.hk/

“We are different so that we can know our need of one another, for no one is ultimately self-sufficient,” Desmond Tutu

Nelson Mandela

The profound sense that we are human only through the humanity of others; that if we are to accomplish anything in this world, it will in equal measure be due to the work and achievements of others.

Wubuntu: a Hong Kong / Cape Town Startup This startup’s goal is to promote intercultural awareness and close the cultural gap between Africa and Asia. Jointly incubated jointly by HKFYG, the Education University of Hong Kong and the University of Cape Town, Wubuntu was co-founded by two young Hong Kong people.

Themed online courses focus on Africa’s diverse cultures and include topics that vary from nature and health to heritage and developmental economics.

An Africa-Asia anthropology field school engages students in intercultural experiences and a language and cultural immersion programme with study tour enhances students’ communication skills during on-the-ground exchange sessions.

Co-founders Tian Chen and Joseph Lam say, “Wubuntu drives Africa-Asia intercultural empowerment according to the South African concept of ‘ubuntu’ which means unity in diversity.” Its flagship products include Africa-Asia internship and career programmes whereby students from Asia participate in intercultural training programmes and are given placements with African organizations where they work either virtually or in-person for eight to ten weeks.

Client institutions include the Chinese University of Hong Kong, City University of Hong Kong, and Baptist University of Hong Kong as well as individual clients in mainland China. The founders quote Matshona Dhliwayo, a Zimbabwean-born and Canadian-based writer and entrepreneur as their inspiration, “Rise in your mind, in your heart, in your soul, and you will rise in your world.” They say Wubuntu’s rise comes as Africa and Asia both rise.

With bases in both Hong Kong and Cape Town, it is also proactive in promoting Asian cultures on the African continent and collaborating with international organizations and events such as the Chinese Language Festival, Anthropology Southern Africa and Milan Design Week.

Wubuntu is on WeChat Channel, Weibo and Bilibili More details wubuntuafrica.com Follow on LinkedIn linkedin.com/company/wubuntu

Young Startup Pioneers in the GBA: a “We Venture” project Rapid development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is bringing many opportunities especially in entrepreneurship. Falling in line with this, a “We Venture” project is being organized by HKFYG under the umbrella of Youth Development Commission (YDC) funding schemes in the GBA with partnership from the Youth Development Fund (YDF) of the Home Affairs Bureau and the YDC. The programme aims to encourage and support youth entrepreneurship, providing funding of up to HK$600,000. This includes a HK$120,000 interestfree loan provided by HKFYG and a HK$480,000 grant provided by YDF. Other support for startups includes business training, mentorships, consultations and networking opportunities with various GBA startup hubs and a one year free hot-desk in co-working space.

HKFYG’s Social Innovation Centre support includes funding and hands-on incubation training as well as consultations for business development. HKFYG also offers practical guidance in the form of mentorship and both financial and legal advisory consultations once the business was fully operational.

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Youth watch June 2022∣Youth Hong Kong

Growing short-sighted watching the trend

by Elaine Morgan

T

he World Health Organization (WHO) reports that myopia in East Asian countries is the highest in the worldwide. Genetics plays its part but the other obvious culprit is screen time. What other consensus is there on causes, prevention and treatment? ● 145 studies covering 2.1 million participants shows that half of the world’s population will be short-sighted (myopic) by 2050. ● That’s a seven-fold increase from 2000 to 2050. ● Recent Hong Kong research shows changes in myopia coincided with less time spent outdoors during the pandemic. ● The daily average for children fell from around 1 hour 15 minutes to around 24 minutes a day ● In parallel, screen time went up from around 2.5 hours a day to around 7 hours a day.

p Myopia in Hong Kong compared

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Hong Kong is a hub for research into causes and prevention and a team at the Chinese University led by Prof Jason Yam has warned about the effect of restricted outdoor activities and intensive near work on myopia progression in school children during the pandemic. Their recent study1 shows the effects of behavioural and lifestyle changes during the pandemic on children’s vision was explored.

Seeing the light All participants were part of the Hong Kong Children Eye Study (HKCES), an ongoing study of eye conditions.

They had been monitored for around three years before the findings were published. The team’s work shows that a lack of natural light and outdoor activity contributes to short-sightedness, and given present-day habits, even when people are outdoors, they are often staring at a screen.2 The researchers strongly recommend increasing schools’ outdoor curricular activities by government agencies, pointing to the mandatory outdoor time implemented by education authorities in mainland China and Taiwan as part of myopia prevention programmes.

Worldwide rise Australia Australian researchers compared Chinese schoolchildren aged 7 in Sydney with those of the same age and ethnicity in Singapore. The incidence of myopia was about ten times greater in the Singaporean Chinese children. They were exposed to 75% less sunlight on average per week than the Australian Chinese children.

Mainland China In mainland China, over half of under 18s were shortsighted in 2018 according to official statistics. Rates are rising alarmingly— especially amongst students. By August 2020, China’s Ministry of Education reported that the rate of myopia had increased 11.5% in the first six months of the year alone. Researchers had found by then that in 123,535 children, the prevalence of myopia increased 1.4 to 3 times compared with the previous 5 years.

US Between the 1970s to the early 2000s, cases of myopia almost doubled in the US while over 33% of US parents with a child under 12 say their child began interacting with a smartphone before the age of 5, according to Pew, a US research company.

South Korea In parts of Asia, the rise has been even more dramatic, with a recent survey finding that as many as 96% of teenagers in South Korea are short-sighted.

Netherlands One peer-reviewed study of 5,000 Dutch youngsters found a strong link between increased computer use and myopia.

UK Rates of short-sightedness have risen by nearly 50% in 30 years. A study of more than 100,000 Britons found one in five born during World War II had the condition, with two-thirds of cases diagnosed in childhood. rose to nearly a third in those born in the late 1960s, with half of cases occurring in adulthood.

Ireland Another study of 418 children in Ireland revealed that smartphone usage was also associated with myopia.

Singapore, Germany and Japan The rate among teens in Singapore and Japan is around 8090%, similar to China. German, Singaporean and Japanese eye specialists analyzing data from of 120,643 children and concluded that the covid-19 pandemic may be causing rates of myopia to spiral.

Sources • ledsmagazine.com/leds-ssl-design/networks-controls/article/16695507/tunable-led-lightingpromises-to-reduce-the-incidence-of-myopia-magazine

Europe The prevalence of myopia also increased throughout Europe in recent decades and reached 45–50% in the 25–29 years old age group.

• Grzybowski, A, Kanclerz, P, Tsubota, K, et al. A review on the epidemiology of myopia in school children worldwide. BMC Ophthalmol 2020; 20: 27. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih. gov/31937276/

• scio.gov.cn/32344/32345/39620/40347/40352/Document/1653995/1653995.htm • radiichina.com/myopia/ • jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/fullarticle/2774808 • dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8595537/Doctors-warn-spike-short-sightedness-causedstaring-screens-relieve-boredom.html • pewresearch.org/internet/2020/07/28/parenting-children-in-the-age-of-screens/

• dailymail.co.uk/health/article-10413629/Rates-short-sightedness-UK-skyrocketed-nearly-50three-decades.html

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Youth watch June 2022∣Youth Hong Kong

Good news from Hong Kong Prof Carly Lam of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University has some good news recently for everyone concerned about shortsightedness. In the past few years, several new innovative designs of lenses have emerged that have shown to be effective in slowing myopia progression. These include the MyoVision Lens by Zeiss, the MyopiLux by Essilor, and the DISC lens

by Hoya, as developed by Prof Lam. She then went on, with her colleagues, to invent the DIMS lens for glasses.

After working with schoolchildren in rural Panyu in southern mainland China, she found they developed myopia about two to three years later than urban Hong Kong city schoolchildren. In another of her studies, a group of young Chinese adults originally living in farming villages developed myopia only after two years of close work in factory environments. The greatest increase in myopia was found in the group of workers performing quality control of products at less than 18 cm distance for eight hours per day. Two important variables were identified: the hours of near work and the working distance required. Longer hours and shorter distances were associated with higher myopia progression.

Prof Lam writes, “From these studies, it was found that Chinese people can have error-free vision; and myopia is not a genetic inevitability…environmental factors have a strong influence on the development of myopia in Chinese eyes.”

Since then, Prof Lam has made great strides in her work.

She has been central to DISC contact lens research at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University with her colleague Prof To Chi-ho. The lenses are based on a concept called “optical defocus” which incorporates concentric rings within each

p Clever glasses with DIMS lenses

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lens that have different levels of distance correction.4 They were shown to reduce the speed of myopia progression. The team, which is developing the concept further, patented it in Australia, mainland China and various European countries.5 The same technology has now been incorporated by Prof Lam and her team into DIMS lenses for spectacles. DIMS stands for Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments. The lenses are comprised of a central optical zone for correcting refractive error and multiple defocus segments evenly surrounding the central zone to control myopia progression. A report6 on a two-year clinical trial of DIMS showed that myopia progressed on average 59% less than expected when wearing glasses with DIMS lenses than 20% of the children participating did not show any progression at all. The technology, which has now been tested over a total of six years has won three top awards in its field and is being adopted by major lens manufacturers.

Corrective glasses for myopia are not cheap, costing at least HK$2,000 to HK$4,000 a pair depending on types and functions, and prescriptions in most children change regularly, so research that leads to a slowing of progression is very welcome, especially as government subsidies are rather limited. Under the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance scheme, a special grant up to a maximum of HK$500 within 24 months will be made to cover the cost of glasses for children in need.

In Australia Researchers estimate that children need to spend around three hours per day under light levels of at least 10,000 lux to be protected against myopia. This is about the level experienced by someone under a shady tree, wearing sunglasses, on a bright summer day. A welllit office or classroom is usually 500-1,000 lux.8

Suffice it to say that the problem of myopia is not going to disappear. In the meantime, here is some simple advice:

American Academy of Pediatrics Recommendations Screen breaks 15 ● 2-5-year-olds: maximum an hour per day of non-educational screen time

In the2.US Figure Graph showing the number of people estimated to have myopia and high for each decade from 2000 ● myopia 5-17-year-olds: maximum two through hours 2050. Error bars represent The BLINK (Bifocal Lenses In Nearsighted Kids) the 95% confidence intervals. per day, except for homework study9 demonstrated the effect of multifocal lenses in ● All ages: 20 second breaks looking at something at least 10m away every 20 minutes comparison to regular single vision lenses in slowing 2000, thisThis was“distance-center 1406 million (22.9% of the global numbers of people with myopia were between 10 and 39 years myopia. focused” design to population; with sufficient lighting: uncertainty interval, 932e1932 million [15.2%e31.5%]), ofGood age. reading However,distances our projections suggest that through both be effectivetoin 1950 slowing myopia nearly 50%.of the global increasing million in by 2010 (28.3% cohort and age effects this distribution will spread by 2050, with ● 30 cm for books population;

1422e2543

million

[20.6%e36.9%]).

This

is

projected increase to 2620 million in 2020 (34.0% of the In Hong to Kong global population; uncertainty interval, 1976e3366 million 10 Studies by the teamby are2030 looking [26.2%e42.6%]), to CUHK 3361 million (39.9%at: of the global Nutrition and foodinterval, and myopia uncertainty 2578e4217 million [32.3%e •population; to 4089smoking million and by myopia 2040 (45.2% of the global Secondhand •47.5%]), population; uncertainty interval, 3145e5128 million [38.1%e Genetic and environmental interactions in myopia •52.1%]), and to 4758 million by 2050 (49.8% of the global Developing a strategy for low concentration •population; uncertainty interval, 3620e6056 million [43.4%e 55.7%]). atropine usage for myopia control

Regional differences are evident throughout the projection period, as shown in Table 1. The high-income countries of AsiaIn mainland China and France Pacific begin with a significantly higher prevalence of myopia Investigations into levels types of indoor than any other region.

Eastand Asia, Southeast Asia,lighting and the highincome countries of North America close the gap to are being made as predictors of the incidence andsome extent by 2050 because of a combination of ceiling effects in some age progression of myopia.

As LED lights become groups, prevalence distribution across agehave groups, and changing more common and a study based in mainland China age demographics.

Figurethe 2 shows our estimates of theintotal number of people with showed prevalence of myopia young teenagers was high myopia globally. This was 163 million in 2000 (2.7%11 of the associated more with such lighting than with others. global population; uncertainty interval, 86e387 million [1.4%e 6.3%]), increasing to 277 million in 2010 (4.0% of the global population; uncertainty Other researchers haveinterval, shown153e589 that overmillion a year,[2.2%e8.6%]). children This is projected increase to 399 million in 2020 who wore violettolight transmitting contact lenses(5.2% had of the global population; uncertainty interval, 233e815 million [3.1%e significantly lessmillion axial length compared to 10.3%]), to 517 by 2030elongation (6.1% of the global population; 12 uncertainty interval, millioneyeglasses.

[3.7%e12.2%]), to 696 those wearing violet298e1082 light blocking Different million by 2040 (7.7% of increasing the global room population; uncertainty approaches have included illumination, interval, 381e1518 million [4.6%e15.4%]), and to 938 million using incandescent instead “blue” LEDuncertainty lighting and by 2050 (9.8% of the globalof population; interval, using CCT[5.7%e19.4%]). colour temperature controllable LEDarelighting.

479e2105 Regional differences evident13 throughout the projection period, as shown in Table 1.

Figure 3 shows the distribution of people with myopia and In Taiwan prevalence of myopia across age groups. In 2000, the greatest

Millions of Taiwanese primary pupils were studied from 2001-2015. In 2010 the government instituted a programme called “Tian-Tian Outdoor 120”, encouraging outdoor activity at school for two hours a day. Rates of myopia fell, slowly but steadily, from 49.4% in 2012 to 46.1% in 2015—reversing a long-term trend.14

large numbers of people with myopia from 10 years of age all ● 40 cm for tablets the way through to 79 years of age. ● 50 cm for desktop or laptop computers

Table 1. Prevalence of Myopia Estimated for Each Global Burden

of DiseasetoRegion Myopia: growth 2050between 2000 and 2050

Prevalence (%) in Each Decade Region Andean Latin America Asia-Pacific, high income Australasia Caribbean Central Africa Central Asia Central Europe Central Latin America East Africa East Asia Eastern Europe North Africa and Middle East North America, high income Oceania South Asia Southeast Asia Southern Africa Southern Latin America Tropical Latin America West Africa Western Europe Global

2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 15.2 46.1 19.7 15.7 5.1 11.2 20.5 22.1 3.2 38.8 18.0 14.6 28.3 5.0 14.4 33.8 5.1 15.6 14.5 5.2 21.9 22.9

20.5 48.8 27.3 21.0 7.0 17.0 27.1 27.3 4.9 47.0 25.0 23.3 34.5 6.7 20.2 39.3 8.0 22.9 20.1 7.0 28.5 28.3

28.1 53.4 36.0 29.0 9.8 24.3 34.6 34.2 8.4 51.6 32.2 30.5 42.1 9.1 28.6 46.1 12.1 32.4 27.7 9.6 36.7 33.9

36.2 58.0 43.8 37.4 14.1 32.9 41.8 41.6 12.3 56.9 38.9 38.8 48.5 12.5 38.0 52.4 17.5 40.7 35.9 13.6 44.5 39.9

44.0 62.5 50.2 45.0 20.4 41.1 48.9 48.9 17.1 61.4 45.9 46.3 54.0 17.4 46.2 57.6 23.4 47.7 43.9 19.7 51.0 45.2

50.7 66.4 55.1 51.7 27.9 47.4 54.1 54.9 22.7 65.3 50.4 52.2 58.4 23.8 53.0 62.0 30.2 53.4 50.7 26.8 56.2 49.8

Numbers and uncertainty are provided in the Supplemental Material (available at www.aaojournal.org).

Read more 1. aaojournal.org/article/S0161-6420%2816%2900025-7/fulltext 2. bjo.bmj.com/content/early/2021/07/15/bjophthalmol-2021-319307 3. ibid 4. dw.com/en/covid-19-and-eyesight-myopia-on-the-rise-during-lockdown/a-56301421 5. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24169657/ 6. polyu.edu.hk/cpa/milestones/en/201803/knowledge_sharing/bring_myopia_controlling_contact_ lens_to_life/index.html 7. bjo.bmj.com/content/bjophthalmol/early/2021/03/17/bjophthalmol-2020-317664.full.pdf 8. nature.com/articles/519276a 9. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28737608/ 10. bjo.bmj.com/content/early/2021/07/15/bjophthalmol-2021-319307 11. journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1120672121998960 12. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27918775/ 13. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5233810/ 14. economist.com/leaders/2022/06/09/short-sightedness-has-become-an-epidemic 15. medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321536#how-to-use-the-20-20-20-rule

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Feature June 2022∣Youth Hong Kong

Coping with social isolation thriving, not simply surviving

by Joy Pamnani

If your grandkids asked you about COVID, what would you tell them about? l The compulsory social isolation? l The mask mandates? l The restrictions on travel? l Illness, WFH and compulsory quarantine orders?

Perhaps it makes sense to say “I barely survived.”

But what if you could tell them you thrived?

Every day I would show up at work motivated to conquer challenges. I worked out and got better sleep. I made time to read. There were emotional ups and downs but I trained myself to be more resilient, spent time with the right people and on the right things.

Sounds simple. But are Hong Kong people thriving or surviving?

Recently, local universities have been holding workshops* on wellbeing. They use evidence-based tools to explain how to lead healthier, happier lives and show that the key to coping with social isolation and becoming a happier individual is not to post photos of the sunset with the hashtag #wellbeing.

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The workshops are about positive psychology, also known as the “Science of Flourishing”. This approach involves a holistic perspective on happiness and wellbeing and studies the spiritual, physical, intellectual, emotional and relational factors that contribute to it.

•

Spiritual wellbeing is about living mindfully and purposefully. Not necessarily related to religion, it involves living in the present moment and cultivating a sense of meaning.

•

Physical wellbeing is about taking care of both the body and the brain through diet, exercise, sleep and stress management.

•

Intellectual wellbeing is about keeping the mind active through curiosity and lifelong learning.

•

Emotional wellbeing is about generating optimism, enthusiasm and gratitude, as well as becoming more resilient by bouncing back from negative experiences quickly.

Relational wellbeing involves reflecting on yourself and your social and relational needs. According to New York University sociologist Eric Klinenberg “The greater the proportion of online interaction [versus face-to-face interaction] the lonelier you are.” It’s important we make time for social interaction because social media is not and will never be a substitute.

To make a positive change in our lives that incorporates these aspects of wellbeing, we need to cultivate good habits. James Clear, the author of bestseller Atomic Habits, says there are four steps in a habit cycle: the cue, craving, response and reward. A craving is motivation for change, triggered by the cue which he defines as information that predicts a reward. The response is your action, while the reward is the benefit you gain. Here’s an example.

Imagine you’ve just woken up and you want to feel alert. You reach for a cup of coffee to boost alertness.

The cue was you waking up. The craving for alertness was your motivation. Reaching for coffee was your response and you reaped the benefits of alertness.

As you repeat the process, it becomes habitual.

Different parts of the brain are responsible for creating and sustaining habits. Associated with decisionmaking, the prefrontal cortex is responsible for creating them. The first time you make coffee, your brain is learning. From locating coffee powder in your kitchen to adding a last pinch of sugar, the prefrontal cortex is systematically learning the steps to achieve the goal.

As you repeat this process, the brain sees that making coffee doesn’t require much brainpower. The task is handed over to another part of the brain - the basal ganglia - which is associated with memory and pattern recognition. Making coffee eventually becomes a habit.

Understanding this process helps you create good habits.

That’s also how corporations create loyal customers.

According to Nir Eyal, bestselling author of Hooked, 79% of smartphone owners check their devices within 15 minutes of waking up every morning. The dopamine reward cycle from checking social media is what companies understood and leveraged to create a multibillion-dollar industry.

You can leverage this formula to create wellbeing in your life: •

Set an alarm - a cue to remind yourself to drink more water for physical health.

•

Start and end your day with gratitude for better emotional and relational wellbeing.

•

Set aside time for random acts of kindness to bring meaning and purpose into your life.

You took time to read this article, and that’s an investment in intellectual wellbeing already. Social isolation is only one challenge along the rollercoaster ride that is life. Those who invest in wellbeing not only make it to the end but also thrive along the way.

To quote James Clear again, “Be the designer of your world and not merely the consumer of it.”

Joy Pamnani is an award-winning public speaker who has attended HKFYG programmes in the past.

Now Chief Innovation Officer at Inspire2Aspire Consulting, she has coached over 5,000 students from schools, universities, NGOs and Toastmasters clubs in public speaking and debating.

Inspire2Aspire Consulting, a training company, has worked with the University of Hong Kong, Hang Seng University and Lingnan University to deliver workshops for students and staff about positive psychology.

Sources 1. Achor, S. (2010). The happiness advantage: How a positive brain fuels success in work and life. Currency.

2. Ben-Shahar, T. (2007). Happier: Learn the secrets to daily joy and lasting fulfilment (Vol. 1). New York: McGraw-Hill.

3. Ben-Shahar, T. (2021). Happiness Studies: An Introduction. Springer Nature.

4. Loehr, J. E., Loehr, J., & Schwartz, T. (2005). The power of full engagement: Managing energy, not time, is the key to high performance and personal renewal. Simon and Schuster.

5. McGonigal, K. (2013). How to make stress your friend. Ted Global, Edinburgh, Scotland, 6, 13.

6. Waldinger, R. (2015). What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness. The Harvard Study of Adult Development. Retrieved, 28(8), 2017.

7. psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brain-wise/201904/the-science-habits 8. counsellingconnection.com/index.php/2021/01/07/the-science-behind-habit-formation/ 9. Clear, J. (2018). Atomic habits: An easy & proven way to build good habits & break bad ones. Penguin.

10. Eyal, N. (2014). Hooked: How to build habit-forming products. Penguin.

11. wholebeinginstitute.com/

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Features June 2022∣Youth Hong Kong

Tracking teen sleep

T

eens need more sleep than adults. It’s not because they are all rebellious or lazy, nor is it solely because they are stressed. The brain goes through massive transformations during adolescence when hormone levels change and melatonin production is affected. Apps and trackers may help.

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The biological changes of adolescence combined with irregular bedtimes and increased screentime can create havoc with sleep. During the school week, the chief determinant of waking up time is school start time so the combination of delayed bedtimes and early school start times results in inadequate sleep for many adolescents.

In fact, according to a local study, Hong Kong people have a sleep deficit of up to 2.5 hours a night.

Does it work well? Apps and wearables can misinterpret sleep movement as wakefulness or record limited movement as sleep. Sometimes it is possible to adjust their sensitivity.

Sleep trackers currently available for home offer a less precise alternative to polysomnography (PSG), the scientific measurement of sleep which uses brainwavescanning electrodes and physiological signals such as breathing, movement and skin temperature. Consumer sleep technology is cheaper and more accessible than PSG and uses accelerometers or small motion detectors.

What to look for? While some apps and wearables tell you how long you slept, others analyze your sleep cycles. They can link your caffeine, food and alcohol consumption as well as exercise to your sleep and track trends. Those with smart alarms claim to learn from your sleep pattern and assess the optimal time to wake you up. All wearables should be comfortable and adjustable for night-time use. Some of the wearables are bulkier or lighter and you can usually select from a few strap styles.

Are they worth it? They can provide valuable insight which help improve sleep quality awareness. Many can conveniently track sleep and activity automatically and not all of them are expensive. Many basic apps are free.

Which ones are well-reviewed?

WHOOP This wristband tracker records time in bed, sleep duration, disturbances, sleep stages and respiration. WHOOP also tracks and analyzes lifestyle factors and trends such as baseline sleep needs and sleep debt.

SnoreLab Available on the App Store and Google Play, Snore Labs measures and tracks your sleep and snoring. Set it next to your bed while you sleep and it will tell you when and how loudly you snored, even recording it for you to listen to later!!

Sleep Cycle Available on the App Store, Google Play, and AppGallery, this app listens to your sleep sounds to track and analyze your sleep. Turn it on before bedtime and the alarm will determine your lightest sleep phase and the optimal time to wake you up. You can your sleep analysis, including graphs, trends and tips on improving your sleep.

Pillow This sleep tracker app is compatible with an Apple Watch and like the one above enables audio recordings while you sleep. The analysis includes a sleep cycle diagram and heart rate analysis and displays trends over time. Pillow regularly updates sleep tips to help you fall asleep and stay asleep and personalizes them for you.

SleepScore Sonar technology tracks your sleep and syncs with wearables such as Apple Watch but may not function as well on Android-powered devices. It measures light and noise level in the bedroom to determine optimal conditions for sleep but you must start and stop the tracker for accurate tracking. Also, to use the sonar technology, you must leave your phone plugged in, above mattress level, and with the base of the phone pointed toward you which may not be possible depending on your bedroom.

SleepWatch This app takes your stats and adds AI analysis to make recommendations on how to improve your sleep. Automatic sync to the Apple Health app comes with the free version. The premium app option also includes access to an online community to compare statistics and get recommendations from others.

Sleeping Bus Tour Oversleeping can mean you miss the bus.

Look out for this one if you need to catch up!

A 76-kilometer, five-hour ride on a double-decker bus around Hong Kong was inspired by the tendency of tired commuters to fall asleep on public transit. Tickets cost between HK$13 to HK$51 per person, depending on your seat. A goodie bag for passengers includes an eye-mask and ear plugs. The first tour sold out fast. Some passengers brought their own blankets and slippers to change into.

Others brought travel pillows and eye-shades!

View at ottawa.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2306188

Go2sleep This sleep tracker with heart rate and blood oxygen monitoring functions provides comprehensive sleep feedback for you to better understand and optimize your sleep. However, although it only weighs 6 grams it doesn’t look very comfortable.

Fitbit These devices can automatically track and analyze your sleep duration, sleep stages and cycles as well as letting you to set schedules and a wakeup call. One study found a minimal discrepancy in measuring the Fitbit Charge HR’s heart rate capability against an echocardiogram, suggesting a higher degree of accuracy than other consumer options.

Read more

● scmp.com/yp/discover/news/hongkong/article/3066541/hk-scores-lowwellness-and-sleep-survey ● pharmaphorum.com/digital/sleep-trackingand-the-potential-for-digital-endpoints/ ● hcplive.com/view/app-improves-sleep-quality-insomnia ● sleepassociation.org/blog-post/top-sleepapps-for-understanding-sleep/ ● verywellmind.com/best-sleep-apps-5114724 ● news.yahoo.com/sleepy-hong-kongresidents-5-024830755.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall ● japantimes.co.jp/life/2021/08/08/digital/ insomnia-ai-sleep-master/

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Fake news on the rise

F

ake news is false or misleading information presented as news. It is often sensational and can damage the reputation of a person or institution. It is not a new concept, the term having first been used in the 1890s. This report discusses how to deal with the problem in Hong Kong today.

This report explores the current situation in Hong Kong, how fake news might be defined and how legal and non-legal measures should be considered. Through a survey and interviews with experts, it also attempts to understand public perceptions, the effects of exposure to and spread of disinformation. Questions on attitudes towards legislation are included and strategies used in other jurisdictions are examined to see how well they might be adapted to fit Hong Kong.

Key points from respondents p 1894 illustration by Frederick Burr Opper

With the advancement of online platforms and other internet services, people everywhere have new ways to connect, gather and spread information. Meanwhile, fake news has become an increasing problem in many regions in the world and many countries have taken action to limit it.

Concepts like disinformation and misinformation are intertwined with fake news. They all refer to false information that is spread with or without the intent to cause harm to individuals or society. Fake news has also been used by high-profile people to criticize any news unfavourable to them and to gain influence on social media.

In Hong Kong, disinformation has recently been the focus of growing attention. There was widespread disinformation during the protests in 2019 and the covid-19 pandemic. The Hong Kong government is considering the possibility of legislative intervention to regulate online disinformation and is conducting a study to examine overseas experience.

However, the proposal to legislate against fake news raises concerns of dampening free speech and press freedom in Hong Kong. Although the Hong Kong government has no actual plan or timetable now, regulating fake news is a highly controversial issue and much more in-depth discussion is needed before decisions are made.

38

● 66.2 % of respondents indicate that they had come across disinformation in the past 6 months. ● Among them, 83.9% say that they encountered disinformation on social media or messaging platforms and 41.2% say they encountered disinformation at least once a week. ● Among the respondents who had encountered disinformation, the main types were related to politics (74.1%) and the covid-19 pandemic (73.3%). ● 67.6% of respondents think that disinformation is a severe problem in Hong Kong. ● Most respondents believe that “waning confidence in the authorities” (53.0%) and the “serious social divide” (50.9%) are the main reasons behind the rise of disinformation. ● Concerning legislation against disinformation, survey respondents are divided with 39.3% supporting it and 38.9% against it. ● Their main concerns were restrictions on freedom of speech (71.8%), restrictions on freedom of the press (66.4%) and abuse of power (53.0%), should legislation be implemented.

Main points from in-depth interviews with scholars and experts ● The reasons for the spread of disinformation are multifaceted. Scholars and experts point out that it is particularly prevalent during times of social crisis. A polarized society and lack of trust in government are both crucial factors that contribute to the rise of disinformation. ● Scholars and experts suggest various factors for close consideration where legislation is concerned, including how to define the scope of legal boundaries, the means for deciding on the veracity of any information and potential difficulties of implementing any new laws.

Comments from Youth I.D.E.A.S. think tank members Ronald Chan, group convenor and Jenny Liu, group deputy convenor “Using legislative measures to deal with disinformation is highly controversial and varies among different jurisdictions. To avoid a strong backlash, the government should impose regulations that strengthen the supervision of internet companies and platforms rather than criminalizing individuals. Furthermore, sufficient explanatory work and consultation among different stakeholders should be done by the government to reach social consensus on the legislative process.”

Wisely Ngai and Ricky Szeto, group members “Relying on legislation alone is not enough to combat disinformation. It is important for the government to formulate multiple strategies.

Fact-checking initiatives in Hong Kong are in their infancy. The government should promote such efforts by encouraging and subsidizing academic institutions to start fact-checking initiatives, as well as by investing in developing digital tools to support the work of fact-checking institutions. Moreover, the government should develop educational policy that cultivates media and information literacy for the whole society, including both students and the general public.”

Report No.68 HKFYG Youth I.D.E.A.S. Livelihood Group Published title A Study on the Rise of Fake News Respondents 740 15-34-year-olds More details in Chinese yrc.hkfyg.org.hk/wp-content/uploads/sites/56/2022/05/YI068_Full-Report.pdf Enquiries Iverson Har 3755 7042 Note This publication is out of sequence in the Youth IDEAS series. Report number 67 will be published in August 2022, preceded by reports 69 and 70 in July.

39

HKFYG Online Bookshop The HKFYG bookshop is everywhere with its motto: Enjoy Good Reading!

Activities in July Young writers sharings

New books

Hong Kong Book Fair

(booth 1B-B38)

Online discounts

More details

hohoreading

/ H K F YG ｜ cps.hkfyg.org.hk /

Believe in the power of words never stop writing T

eams from 50 primary and secondary schools showed great teamwork and creative spirit this year at HKFYG’s School Young Writers Nurturing Programme 2021-2022.

Writing is the perfect partner for reading and with support from SCOLAR, (the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research) and the Language Fund, a twoday online training camp for writing took place in early April.

Although the programme was affected by a spike in Hong Kong’s covid-19 cases and the closure of school campuses, the team geared up in response and held a successful online event instead with links to help students make the most of the advance “summer vacation”.

Camp from Home 2 to 3 April 2 • writers’ sharing sessions • creative ideas exchange • good books guided reading Writing and creating tips Illustrator, Isabelle Ngai, gave students a very practical hint.

“Make good use of your phone’s memo and recording functions.

Creative material is all around you and the phone can help you keep a safe record of anything that happens in daily life”

As two famous authors say: “Read, read, read. Read everything -- trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Read! You’ll absorb it. Then write. If it’s good, you’ll find out…”

William Faulkner “You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you.” ― Ray Bradbury

Coming up for writers in June and July: Campus Writers Selection Competition The Federation organized the “Hong Kong Creative Writing Competition 2021-2022” (Primary/Secondary) with the first-round in May this year and the finals in June.

A professional jury is selecting the winning entry. It is being published by HKFYG and will be on display for sale at the Hong Kong Book Fair 2022, at our own online store and at all major bookstores.

Winning students shared reflections One of them confessed: "When I reread what I have written, I often feel embarrassed."

Isabelle gave reassurance: “I believe that creating means making a record of your life, thoughts and state of mind. These are also witnesses of growth and have meaning.”

Words of experience The students also asked instructor Kevin Tong for suggestions. He admitted that the road to creation was sometimes a lonely one but one that’s always worth travelling.

“When I see a final published book, it makes it all worthwhile.

It’s the kind of satisfaction nothing else can give.”

More details:

41

HKFYG June 2022∣Youth 2022 Youth Hong Kong

PH3 news from the heart of Wan Chai PH3, on the third floor of a revitalized historic building in Lee Tung Street, is one of HKFYG’s social enterprises. Just a 5 minute walk from the Wan Chai MTR station, it has three combined units and terrace of 89 square meters.

A perfect spot for dining, celebrations, corporate and private functions and parties, cultural and artistic exchanges, small concerts, handcraft workshops and much more, PH3 provides one-stop services offered by young entrepreneurs who are ready and waiting to help.

l A place where young entrepreneurs’ dreams come true l Space to explore ideas and exchange views l Room to create unforgettable memories of unique occasions

Location 3/F 186-190 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai Tel 5933 6323 More details

42

New Events PH3 regularly launches a series of themed markets, special workshops or group activities, including arts, music, physical fitness, mindfulness, etc.

If you are passionate about craftsmanship, please join us and let young instructors and participants create a relaxing space full of handmade art, healing body and mind in the revitalized historic building.

PH3 creates an indoor live streaming space for young people to share their skills and interests. uMusic stage live streaming performances and online workshops will be organized regularly.

43

HKFYG June 2022∣Youth Hong Kong

EasySchoolConnect

W

orking with schools in Hong Kong to build a better learning and growth environment is a core area for the Federation. The launch of a new service platform called EasySchoolConnect will be at the heart of this commitment to youth.

Goal and targets HKFYG provides professional services for schools every year and is now offering more effective liaison via the dedicated services platform: EasySchoolConnect.

Existing and customized services • • • • •

44

counselling employment leadership training parenting advice provision of venue facilities

Functionality for teachers Rapid Enquiry Response Service​ Designated School Liaison Officer​ All-rounded Support Service from the Federation​ Educational Resources for Teachers and Welfare Resources for Students​ Qualified Instructors Matching (Phase 2) More details Enquiries EasySchoolConnect enquiry@easyschoolconnect.hk

Building bridges the HKFYG Mainland Affairs Office With the rapid development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), professional youth services and youth work have grown in parallel, bringing with them new prospects for the Federation to build bridges with its counterparts in mainland China.

In response, the newly established HKFYG Mainland Affairs Office (MAO) will build on mutual cooperation with mainland China over the next three years, promoting youth services in the GBA while expanding and strengthening its youth work there.

Coordination and collaboration The MAO has two goals. First, to coordinate this effort with that of HKFYG units in Hong Kong. In order to achieve efficiency, staff will be located mainly in GBA cities. Second, to develop and expand collaboration with professional youth services in the GBA. Youth counselling and youth crime prevention as well as social work training are among the Federation’s strong points so there will be reinforced efforts to streamline cooperation in these spheres and harmonize professional certification at GBA universities. Two-way professional exchange and training for social work will also promote the growth of complementary knowledge and experience.

Entrepreneurship support A new Hong Kong Youth Support Station will provide services for young Hongkongers living, studying, interning, working or starting up businesses in the GBA. Services for entrepreneurs will include training and network-building to back up a GBA Skill Learning Programme with field trips, corporate internships, mentor exchanges, special lectures, career exploration and planning consultations.

Another new departure will be the “Young Startup Pioneer in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area” which is destined to strengthen connections between GBA entrepreneurial incubators. This will support Hong Kong young people’s efforts to establish new firms and build a community.

Flagship events HKFYG exchange events focus on understanding rapid developments in mainland China and once the covid-19 epidemic in the region is under control these will again include activities such as “High-speed Youth Rail” taking 1,000 young Hongkongers on the high-speed train to visit GBA and other cities.

Another HKFYG flagship event will be “China Week.”

This regular activity before the summer vacation every year is for secondary school students. It explores the history and cultural development of mainland China with the aim of strengthening a sense of national identity.

Training for volunteering and school for life skills HKFYG has rich experience in promoting youth volunteering so in conjunction with the 2025 National Games to be held in Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao, there will be large-scale recruitment and training of volunteers as well as cooperative training with volunteer service centres in GBA cities.

A feasibility study will also be undertaken on setting up a college in the GBA where young people from mainland cities, Macao and Hong Kong might get together to explore their options for further education.

45

HKFYG June 2022∣Youth Hong Kong

Special summer sensations

H

owever hot and steamy the weather may be, there is always something special for young people in the HKFYG Summer Youth Programme 2022. Here are a few tasters.

“Good Go Chat” digital supportive scheme

ROBLOX Game Designer Platform: ZOOM Dates: Saturdays 23 July to 20 August Time: 11:00-12:00 Roblox is an online game creation platform and this activity teaches participants to use Lua, a Brazilian programming language. They build an in-game environment and have fun creating their own style of virtual world. In the last part of the activity, there will be game trials and the children will compare one another’s work.

For: 8-12-year-olds Fee: HK$680 Enquiries: 2448 7474

Micro:bit STEM Beginner

Dates: August to September Young volunteers will become “digital connectors” after training in this scheme.

Their goal will be to promote the health and wellbeing of residents who need help to access online platforms for everyday tasks or for medical support. Up to 100 senior citizens who are living alone in these four districts or who are caring for others will be the target of the young volunteers who will offer both technical and wellness support, as needed.

Training Workshops include • • •

Mental Health Issues for the Elderly Relaxation the Mindfulness Way Understanding Positive Psychology Walking with the Elderly

Venue: HKFYG Jockey Club Ping Shek Youth SPOT

•

Dates: Tuesdays and Fridays 16 August to 30 August

Experiential Learning Activities

Time: 15:30-17:30 The activity helps young people learn to write micro:bit programmes with interesting stories and STEM science concepts.

It strengthens their computing skills and their learning experience is enriched with mini-games, such as “Electronic Dice Design”, the “Solving Maze Challenge” and the “Marksman Game.”

•

Digital Communication Support

•

Zentangle

• • • •

Potted Plant DIY Tibetan Singing Bowl Healing Pure Essential Oil Perfume DIY Low-carbon Diet Workshop

Commitment To give meaning to the scheme, participating volunteers need to attend training workshops and experiential learning activities as well as make a commitment to take part in volunteer services in future.

Fee: HK $1,600

Options Participating volunteers can choose at least two training workshops and one experience activity.

Certification: Participants will be awarded a certificate upon completion of the course.

For: 18-24-year-olds Free of charge

Enquiries: 2325 2383

Enquiries: 2706 2638

For: 8-12-year-olds

46

Venue: Sai Kung, Island East, Kwun Tong and Tsuen Kwai Districts

Yarn Bombing@Run the Community Venue: Lok Fu area Dates: Saturday 20 and 27 August Time: 14:00-17:00 By discovering the art of “knitting graffiti”, young people will use their hands to decorate their city and their feet to spread the word through the community.

Called “Yarn Bombing” this brand-new experience is going to take the town by storm! It’s a form of street art that employs colourful displays of knitted or crocheted yarn rather than paint or chalk. It’s fun to do and easy to remove. Around the world, the yarn bombing subculture is open to everyone who wants to create space for themselves and their art everywhere from campuses to public parks.

For: 18-24-year-olds Free of charge Enquiries: 2337 7189

WKCD Sunset Cultural Portal 2022 Venue: Lee Tung Avenue and HKFYG PH3 Event day：Sunday 28 August Time: 12:00-19:00 Online workshops: FridaySunday 19-21 August Plus: Friday 26 and Saturday 27 August The door to West Kowloon is now open through the “Sunset Cultural Portal” - the concept at its centre. There will be art activities for everyone in the community, including a series of online workshops related to West Kowloon culture and a largescale “salted egg yolk”, sunset art installation with workshops, music performances and community storytelling at Lee Tung Street in Wan Chai.

Free of charge for all members of the community Come and enjoy sunset scenes and the fun of creating community art!

Subsidized by the West Kowloon Cultural Council Organized by the HKFYG Jockey Club Youth SPOTs at Shau Kei Wan, Farm Road, and Yat Ming Youth SPOT and Cultural Services Unit Enquiries: 2885 9353

47

HKFYG June 2022∣Youth Hong Kong

Social impact in four directional streams HKFYG Annual Plan for 2022-23 The covid-19 pandemic has seriously affected young people’s lives, causing psychological distress, loneliness, disrupted education and unemployment. In consequence, the Federation will transform its services in 2022-23, grouping them into four directional streams: ● ● ● ●

Digitalization Upskilling Sustainability Mainland strategy

Sustainability will feature: ●

Educational programmes to increase young people’s awareness and knowledge of environmental issues

●

Encouragement for young people to take “green” action through launching a series of campaigns

●

Promotion of the concept of “all-round wellness” and expansion of Wellness PLUS* services throughout the HKSAR for the strengthening and support of emotional health

We strongly believe that this transformation will support young people’s efforts to rebuild their educational and career prospects while empowering them to face the future with more confidence.

Digitalization will focus on: • Educational programmes for digital literacy • Promotion of revamped HKFYG units including Smart SPOTs to facilitate effective learning with young people’s participation and innovation • Social innovation with technology • Application of the latest technology in services, such as strengthening early identification and intervention in counselling practice Upskilling will include: • Life planning to strengthen youth career pathways • Provision of comprehensive “future skills” training and internship opportunities that help young people acquire new knowledge and skillsets • Development of public health services to improve community wellbeing and open up professional career opportunities for young people • Inclusion of “future skills” thematic programmes on STEM, leadership and continuous learning 48

Mainland strategy will include: • Youth exchange programmes to develop national understanding and identity • Support for youth to seize opportunities in career and business in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) • Setting up a designated Mainland Affairs Office at HKFYG to support youth startups in the GBA and to foster professional exchange with counterparts in mainland China For full version, scan QR code

All about sustainability Sustainability is a societal goal with three dimensions: environmental, economic and social. This concept can be used to guide decisions at the global, national, institutional and individual levels.

What is sustainable development?

17 “Sustainable Development Goals”

The concept of sustainable development was established in 1987 by the United Nations Bruntland Commission Report which defined it as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”1

In September 2015, 193 universal member states of the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda which is made up of 17 goals with 169 targets. The agenda recognizes that poverty must be ended by economic growth and response to social needs while tackling climate change.4

Environment For many people, sustainability is closely linked to environmental issues, the most dominant of which are climate change, loss of biodiversity and environmental pollution, and land degradation such as deforestation and general degradation of ecosystems.

Economy The economic dimension of sustainability is controversial, partly because of the inherent contradictions between equal levels of social development and environmental conservation.

Society The social dimension of sustainability is the least welldefined aspect and2 some academics have proposed more dimensions of sustainability such as institutional, cultural, and technical dimensions. 3 Because of these complexities, the concept of sustainability has been criticized, mainly because it is vague, illdefined and is sometimes used purely as a buzzword but also because it might be an impossible goal.

Following the green trend Environmental Sustainability – Research done

by HKFYG’s Youth Research Centre, the findings of which will be released later this year, reveal that young people doubt the effectiveness of recycling in Hong Kong and 46% think convenient daily living makes the evils of pollution inevitable.

Sources 1. sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/5987our-common-future.pdf.

2. Sustainable Development. UNESCO. en.unesco.org/themes/education-sustainable-development/ what-is-esd/sd 3. un.org/en/exhibits/page/sdgs-17-goals-transform-world 4. Boyer, Robert HW et al (2016). "Five Approaches to Social Sustainability and an Integrated Way Forward". Sustainability. 8 (9): 878. doi:10.3390/su8090878.

49

HKFYG June 2022∣Youth Hong Kong

Office and Unit List HKFYG Website: hkfyg.org.hk

Head Office

2527 2448

hq@hkfyg.org.hk

Youth S.P.O.Ts Youth S.P.O.T. 21

3755 7021

spot21@hkfyg.org.hk

Heng Fa Chuen Youth S.P.O.T.

2557 0142

hfc@hkfyg.org.hk

Jockey Club Shaukiwan Youth S.P.O.T.

2885 9353

sw@hkfyg.org.hk

Jockey Club Hung Hom Youth S.P.O.T.

2774 5300

hhit@hkfyg.org.hk

Jockey Club Farm Road Youth S.P.O.T. 2715 0424

fr@hkfyg.org.hk

Jockey Club Wang Tau Hom Youth S.P.O.T.

2337 7189

wth@hkfyg.org.hk

Jockey Club Ping Shek Youth S.P.O.T.

2325 2383

ps@hkfyg.org.hk

Jockey Club Tseung Kwan O Youth S.P.O.T.

2623 3121

tkoit@hkfyg.org.hk

LOHAS Youth S.P.O.T.

2702 2202

ls@hkfyg.org.hk

Felix Wong Youth S.P.O.T.

2706 2638

fw@hkfyg.org.hk

Jockey Club Verbena Youth S.P.O.T.

2997 0321

vb@hkfyg.org.hk

Jockey Club Jat Min Youth S.P.O.T.

2647 0744

jm@hkfyg.org.hk

Lung Hang Youth S.P.O.T.

2698 5565

lh@hkfyg.org.hk

Tai Po Youth S.P.O.T.

2656 3257

tp@hkfyg.org.hk

Employment Services Youth Employment Network

3113 7999

yen@hkfyg.org.hk

Social Innovation and Youth Business Unit

3595 0945

sic@hkfyg.org.hk

Jockey Club Social Innovation Centre

3595 0945

sic@hkfyg.org.hk

Youth Business Hong Kong

3595 0945

ybhk@hkfyg.org.hk

The HKFYG Leadership Institute

2169 0255

info@leadershipinstitute.hk

Leadership 21

2169 0255

leadership21@hkfyg.org.hk

Membership and Volunteer Unit

3755 7220

membership@hkfyg.org.hk

Youth Volunteer Network

3755 7220

yvn@hkfyg.org,hk

Open Up Volunteer Centre

Website: www.openup.hk

Leadership Training

Volunteer Services

Youth at Risk Services Youth Crime Prevention Centre

8100 9669

ycpc@hkfyg.org.hk

Tsuen Wan and Kwai Chung Outreaching Social Work Team

2487 6151

osw-tk1@hkfyg.org.hk

Sai Kung and Wong Tai Sin Outreaching Social Work Team

2701 8866

osw-skwts@hkfyg.org.hk

Jockey Club Cheung Wah Youth S.P.O.T. 2669 9111

chw@hkfyg.org.hk

Jockey Club Kwai Fong Youth S.P.O.T.

2423 1366

kfit@hkfyg.org.hk

Tsuen Wan Youth S.P.O.T.

2413 6669

tw@hkfyg.org.hk

ynd@hkfyg.org.hk

2498 3333

tk@hkfyg.org.hk

Extended Service for Young Night Drifters

2702 2202

Tsuen King Youth S.P.O.T. Jockey Club Kin Sang Youth S.P.O.T.

2467 7933

ks@hkfyg.org.hk

Youth Support Scheme

2396 4711

yss@hkfyg.org.hk

Jockey Club Tin Yiu Youth S.P.O.T.

2445 4868

ty@hkfyg.org.hk

Anti-drug Service

2473 0133

ad@hkfyg.org.hk

Jockey Club Tin Yuet Youth S.P.O.T.

2445 5777

tyt@hkfyg.org.hk

Hung Shui Kiu Youth S.P.O.T.

2448 7474

hsk@hkfyg.org.hk

Clinical Psychology Unit

3755 7021

wp@hkfyg.org.hk

Wellness PLUS (Hong Kong)

3755 7021

wp@hkfyg.org.hk

Wellness PLUS (Kowloon)

3422 3161

wmc@hkfyg.org.hk

M21 Multimedia Services Jockey Club Media 21

50

M21 Multimedia Web: M21.hk

3979 0000

enquiry@m21.hk

Counselling Services

Wellness PLUS (New Territories West)

3755 7021

wp@hkfyg.org.hk

Youth Exchange Unit

3586 8448

ye@hkfyg.org.hk

Wellness PLUS (New Territories East)

3755 7021

wp@hkfyg.org.hk

Mainland Affairs Office

3705 1501

mao@hkfyg.org.hk

Jockey Club Student Support Centre

3422 3161

ssc@hkfyg.org.hk

3586 8448

ye@hkfyg.org.hk

School Social Work Unit

2395 0161

ssw@hkfyg.org.hk

Zhongshan Sanxiang Youth Training Centre

Student Guidance Team (Primary School)

2395 0162

sgt@hkfyg.org.hk

Cultural Services Unit

2395 5753

csu@hkfyg.org.hk

Community Team Sports Office

3611 6670

cts@hkfyg.org.hk

Student Guidance Team (Kindergarten)

2395 0162

sgt@hkfyg.org.hk

Tsuen Wan Indoor Sports Centre

2413 6669

twisc@hkfyg.org.hk

Media Counselling Centre

2788 3433

mcc@hkfyg.org.hk

Camps Unit

2395 5759

camp@hkfyg.org.hk

Media Counselling Centre (Youthline)

2777 8899

2792 2727

otc@hkfyg.org.hk

Media Counselling Centre (Open Up)

Website: www.openup.hk

Jockey Club Sai Kung Outdoor Training Camp

Media Counselling Centre (uTouch)

2788 3444

Lamma Youth Camp

2982 1929

lyc@hkfyg.org.hk

Stanley Outdoor Training Camp

2813 8886

s@hkfyg.org.hk

Tai Mei Tuk Outdoor Activities Centre

2664 4686

tmt@hkfyg.org.hk

utouch@hkfyg.org.hk

Education Services Education Services Unit

3755 7107

education@hkfyg.org.hk

Ching Lok Kindergarten/ Ching Lok Nursery

2886 8856

cl-swh@hkfyg.org.hk

Ching Lok Kindergarten (Yaumatei) / Ching Lok Nursery (Yaumatei)

2385 6868

cl-ymt@hkfyg.org.hk

KK Cheng Kindergarten

2385 2622

kkc@hkfyg.org.hk

Lee Shau Kee Primary School

2448 1011

lskps@hkfyg.org.hk

Lee Shau Kee College

2146 1128

hlc@hlc.edu.hk

Continuous Learning Centre

2130 4000

clc@hkfyg.org.hk

Living Life Academy

2130 4000

lla@hkfyg.org.hk

Parenting Services Parent Support Network

2402 9230

psn@hkfyg.org.hk

Family Life Education Unit (Eastern/Wanchai District)

2567 5730

psn-ew@hkfyg.org.hk

Family Life Education Unit (Kowloon City District)

2774 3083

psn-knc@hkfyg.org.hk

Family Life Education Unit (Tai Po/North District)

2658 3097

psn-tpn@hkfyg.org.hk

Family Life Education Unit (Tsuen Wan/Kwai Tsing District)

2490 2662

psn-twkt@hkfyg.org.hk

Creativity Education and Youth Exchange Creative Education Unit

2561 6149

ce@hkfyg.org.hk

Centre for Creative Science and Technology

2561 6149

ce@hkfyg.org.hk

The HKFYG Leadership Institute – Lodge 2169 0255

info@leadershipinstitute.hk

Research and Publications Youth Research Centre

3755 7022

yr@hkfyg.org.hk

Professional Publications Unit

3755 7108

cps@hkfyg.org.hk

The HKFYG Youth Hostel PH2

2656 0009

ph2@hkfyg.org.hk

WL Residence

2915 5532

wlr@hkfyg.org.hk

Café 21

3188 5792

cafe21@hkfyg.org.hk

PH3

5933 6323

ph3@hkfyg.org.hk

Organic Farm

2838 4808

organicfarm@hkfyg.org.hk

Hydroponic Farm

9333 2551

hf@hkfyg.org.hk

The Dragon Foundation Secretariat

2811 2779

info@dragonfoundation.net

Special Services

Development and Support Partnership and Resource Development Office

3755 7103

partnership@hkfyg.org.hk

Corporate Planning and Staff Training Unit

3755 7088

td@hkfyg.org.hk ; cp@hkfyg.org.hk

Corporate Communications Office

3755 7022

cco@hkfyg.org.hk

Sustainability Unit

3755 7110

sst@hkfyg.org.hk

User Experience Unit

3905 1546

ue@hkfyg.org.hk

HKFYG Building Management Unit

3755 7098

bm@hkfyg.org.hk

51

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Organized by:

Publisher : The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups

香港青年協會

hkfyg.org.hk．m21.hk

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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