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The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, today (Tuesday) called on the community and organisations to work together to develop young people into confident and responsible individuals.

Mr Tung made the remarks at the fourth joint meeting of the Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education, the Commission on Youth, the Board of Education and the Social Welfare Advisory Committee. He attended the meeting to listen to members' views on youth matters.

Mr Tung noted that working together to educate and bring up our young people was the responsibility of the Government and each and every person and organisation.

"The Government will set the direction for the development of youths and will continue its commitment through resource allocation, coordination and promotion efforts," he said.

The four advisory boards and committees hold joint meetings regularly to discuss how they can improve young people's understanding of our society and culture, increase their civic awareness and help them establish a positive value standard.

At the meeting, Mr Tung recalled that in his 1997 Policy Address he had tasked the Commission on Youth (COY) to carry out a study on how young people could take up a more active role in building up the SAR, and in voluntary work.

"The COY has just completed its study and submitted its report. The Administration will carefully consider recommendations proposed by the COY," he said.

Mr Tung said that with Hong Kong's reunification with the Mainland, we had the responsibility to strengthen young people's sense of belonging to the SAR, increase their knowledge about our motherland, develop their civic-mindedness and encourage them to take an active part in the development of the SAR.

End/Tuesday, August 25, 1998

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