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The award presentation ceremony for the first Outstanding Youth Commendation Scheme organised by the Home Affairs Bureau (HAB) and the Commission on Youth (COY) was held today (March 9). Thirty-six young people were commended for their outstanding achievements in personal development, leadership and social services.
The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing; the Chairman of the COY, Mr Bunny Chan; the Convenor of the Youth Programme Co-ordinating Committee, Mr David Yip; the President of the Legislative Council, Mr Jasper Tsang; the Political Assistant to the Secretary for Education, Mr Jeff Sze; and the Executive Director, Charities, of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Douglas So, attended the ceremony today to show encouragement to the young awardees.
Mr Tsang Tak-sing said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government attached great importance to the views expressed by young people on youth development at the Youth Summit organised by the COY last year.
"The Policy Address 2013 stated that our youth development policy should focus on creating development opportunities for young people. We should foster a culture of multifaceted excellence that will offer abundant opportunities for young people to pursue their studies or careers and realise their potential. Our policies should also be inclusive, taking care of young people from different backgrounds.
"I hope the COY can continue to reach out to young people extensively. I also encourage young people to have, on the basis of mutual respect, more frank exchanges and rational interactions with us," Mr Tsang said.
Mr Chan said that although the awarded youngsters have diverse backgrounds, they share a common commitment in serving the society. He hopes they can inspire their friends, classmates and relatives to care and work for the community.
Through giving recognition to outstanding young people, the commendation scheme aims to encourage young people to set targets for their personal development and actively take part in community building and social services to set an example for other young people.
The young awardees were nominated by the 18 districts. Those with outstanding performance in a first-round interview and team activities were awarded with the Stellar Accomplishment Award, the Youth Leadership Award, the Social Service Award and the Personal Breakthrough Award.
Finally, a judging panel composed of Mr Chan; Mr Jasper Tsang; the Under Secretary for Home Affairs, Ms Florence Hui; and Mr Sze met the top 10 outstanding youths individually to decide on the gold, silver and bronze awards.
The Outstanding Youth Activity Commendation Scheme was also organised for the first time to give recognition to innovative, purposeful and popular district youth programmes. The scheme hopes to encourage the organisation of more quality and effective activities to promote youth development in the districts.
The award recipients of the 2012-13 Outstanding Youth Commendation Scheme and the Outstanding Youth Activity Commendation Scheme are listed in the Annex.
Ends/Saturday, March 9, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:08
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