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The "Hang Seng Bank - Junior Police Call (JPC) Environmental Detectives" competition was launched today (April 13) to enhance youngsters' civic mindedness and awareness of environmental protection as well as facilitate their contribution to the sustainable development of Hong Kong.
The competition comprises web games, environmental research and report presentations. It aims at testing youngsters' alertness to environmental problems and their capabilities to detect the causes of the problems as well as suggest solutions. It is open to primary and secondary students, and members of JPC District Councils.
Participating teams, each comprising six persons, will compete for Hang Seng Bank scholarships and the chance to visit conservation areas and facilities in Bangkok, Thailand.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Lee Ming-kwai, said: "We hope to promote public awareness of environmental protection through the JPC. As part of our mission, we are organising the first JPC Environmental Detectives competition. Participants, like detectives, will have to investigate the environmental problems, find out the 'culprits' and suggest solutions."
Mr Lee received a cheque for $320,000 on behalf of the Hong Kong Police from Hang Seng Bank presented by the Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive of Hang Seng Bank, Mr Vincent Cheng, as the sponsorship amount for the programme.
Also officiating at the ceremony, Mr Cheng, said: "We hope that through this competition, youngsters will be more conscious of environmental problems in the community. Reflecting our own long-term commitment to enhancing the environment, we have been awarded ISO 14001 certification for our environmental management system at the Bank's Headquarters. Hang Seng also won the 'Green Innovative Practice on Go Green Team Spirit' Gold Award at the Hong Kong Eco-Business Awards organised by the Environmental Protection Department."
The Chairman of World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong (WWF Hong Kong), Mr Markus Shaw, said: "As a father, I know how important it is to me that my three children will grow up with a love for, as well as an appreciation of the need for responsible stewardship of, the natural world. I hope that the Hang Seng Bank JPC Environmental Detectives programme instills these same feelings in the members of JPC."
Other guests attending the launching ceremony held at the Hang Seng Bank Headquarters included General Manager of Sunflower Travel Service Limited, Mr Steve Fung; and Deputy Managing Director of Metro Broadcast Corporation Limited, Ms Bianca Ma.
The competition is organised by the Hong Kong Police with major sponsorship from Hang Seng Bank and co-organised by WWF Hong Kong with the support of Sunflower Travel Service Limited and Metro Broadcast Corporation Limited.
Application forms are now available from police stations, JPC clubs, District Offices and Hang Seng Bank branches (excluding those MTR station offices). The deadline for application is June 6, 2005.
For enquiries, please contact the Police Public Relations Branch on 2860 6155 or visit the website at http://www.hkpjpc.org.hk/environment.
Police Report No.9
Ends/Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Issued at HKT 17:24
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