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The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, today (October 6) presented commendation certificates to 35 volunteer leaders and 19 youth volunteer leaders of youth uniformed groups in recognition of their contributions in promoting youth training and development.
Mr Tsang said at the Presentation Ceremony for the Secretary for Home Affairs' Commendation Scheme 2014, "The uniformed groups have been working with the Home Affairs Bureau side by side in youth development work. In order to strengthen our work in aspects of youth development, the SAR Government has doubled the budget of funding provisions for the uniformed groups in 2014-15. I hope the increased funding to assist uniformed groups in further development will help young people equip themselves with skills, broaden their horizons and serve society."
He added that a category for youth volunteer leaders under the age of 30 is added under this year's commendation scheme in recognition of outstanding youth leaders. With the continuous growth of the uniformed groups, the volunteer leaders shoulder greater responsibility. They not only provide training for members, but also make all-out efforts for the operation and development of their groups.
Mr Tsang praised all the volunteer leaders for their selfless dedication in fostering the development of young people and their commitment to the services of uniformed groups without financial return over the years. He said many pillars of society today have been cultivated and inspired by them to contribute to society.
He said he hopes that all winners will pass on their spirit of enthusiasm in service and encourage more people to take part in youth development work, so that more young people will be able to benefit.
Set up in 2002, the Secretary for Home Affairs' Commendation Scheme aims at recognising the efforts and contributions of uniformed group volunteer leaders in youth development. All the volunteer leaders commended in the ceremony have provided services in their respective uniformed groups for at least 10 years, and all the youth volunteer leaders commended for the first time this year are aged 30 or below and have served their respective uniformed groups for at least five years.
Ends/Monday, October 6, 2014
Issued at HKT 20:53
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