****************************************

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Advisory Council on AIDS:

Two youth groups were awarded the 2002 Best Project Awards of the "Youth Action on AIDS" Funding Scheme today (February 22) for their innovative projects on AIDS education and publicity.

These two groups were the Tai Po Sam Yuk Secondary School and Healthy Young Ambassador of Hong Kong AIDS Foundation.

They were selected from among 13 youth groups which participated in the scheme in 2002 in which a total of $90 110 subsidy was granted. Projects comprising training courses, educational programmes, exhibitions and competitions were organized by the 13 groups, enabled more than 22,500 young persons to learn more about AIDS and its impact on the community.

Officiating at the prize presentation ceremony today was Mrs Carrie YAU, Permanent Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food.

The "Youth Action on AIDS" Funding Scheme is run by the Task Force on Youth of the AIDS Prevention and Care Committee with the aim of encouraging and mobilizing young people to organize educational and publicity projects on AIDS.

Youth groups comprising at least five members each are invited to take part in the "Youth Action on AIDS" Funding Scheme for the next year. Each successful group applicant will be given a subsidy of not more than $8 000 to implement its proposed programme.

Copies of leaflet on the funding scheme and application forms are available at the Red Ribbon Centre on the Second Floor of Wang Tau Hom Jockey Club Clinic, 200 Junction Road East, Lok Fu, Kowloon. For enquiries, please contact Mr Leung Fuk-chak of the Red Ribbon Centre at 2304 6268 during office hours.

More information on AIDS and AIDS educational programmes is available at Department of Health's AIDS website at <http://www.aids.gov.hk>.

End/Saturday, February 22, 2003

NNNN