$15m for youth projects
The Government has injected a sum of $15.5 million for 414 education projects aimed at teenagers this year, according to the SAR Commission on Youth.
More than 73,000 are thought to have taken part in these programmes.
'To qualify for funds, all proposals must be targeted at teenagers,' said commission chairman Dr Choi Yuen-wan. 'In assessing all these proposals, we looked primarily at how effectively these projects can benefit participants, their feasibility and their social value in the long run.'
Funding is allocated under three different schemes - tours to the mainland, youth leadership training programmes and community service projects.
Several activities have already been completed, while others are under way.
The programme that organises mainland tours hopes to enhance teenagers' understanding of both past and recent developments across the border. The commission has sponsored 132 projects at a cost of more than $7 million.
The scheme providing resources for training teenagers with leadership potential has funded 200 projects costing more than $3.3 million.
Meanwhile, $5.2 million has been allocated for 82 community service programmes aimed at raising students' social awareness.
The 'Friendship Caravan On The Silk Road' was one of the youth projects organised by the Hong Kong Girl Guides Association from July 25 to August 6 this year. During the trip, more than 700 local girl guides and their counterparts from nine different countries travelled along the ancient Silk Road from Xian to the city of Turpan, in Sinkiang.
The journey, along the famous Nankiang Railway, covered more than 2,000 kilometres.
One forthcoming event is the Nanjing Exchange Programme, organised by the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong Tuen Mun Centre, from December 26 to January 1.
Under the programme, 16 people aged 16 to 25 will stay with families in Nanjing and visit schools there. The project is aimed at enhancing collaboration between mainland and Hong Kong students.
'I hope our funding programme will inspire others to provide more meaningful activities for our young people,' said Dr Choi.
