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Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, at the opening of the MaD (Make a Difference) 2015 at Kwai Tsing Theatre tonight (January 30):
Thank you Ada (Wong), ladies and gentlemen, MaDees,
Good evening. How's everyone doing? I am really delighted to be here with you all, onboard this MaD Express.
From a train window, the world is bursting with adventure, bursting with mystery and bursting with promise. On a train, everything is possible. If you don't believe that, just ask Harry Potter.
Over these next three days, you have your own memorable journey to take, your own memorable journey to experience, thanks to this forum and the dynamic and endlessly creative people behind the Make a Difference Institute.
Yours, of course, is much more than a journey, as the three young people on stage just now made very clear. What they saw outside the train window – what you see – is only the beginning.
You all, 1 300 of you – from all over the world – are here to consider your own destination. Where you want to go. What you want to be. What you want from society and what you want from government and the community that you call home. You're here to create a new world, one that is shaped by innovation and technology, one that is guided by mutual respect, energised by the pursuit of sustainability, the promise of rewarding work, and a happy and meaningful life.
Some of that, of course, is on my job description too. Part of the government mandate. Yes, my in-tray is full, and overflowing with issues large and small, local and international, finite and infinite. Concerns ranging from gainful employment to housing, concerns about the environment, education and much more. All deserve our attention and all require our response.
But we can hardly begin to do that without the energy, without the enthusiasm and creativity of youth.
The late Steve Jobs founded Apple Computer with two other young people in his father's garage nearly 40 years ago. He was all of 21. In August 2012, less than a year after Jobs passed away, Apple surpassed Microsoft as the largest US (United States) company in history, measured by stock-market value.
What you need, of course, is opportunity. In education, in business, in society. I'm here to tell you that the Hong Kong Government attaches great importance in helping youth seize those opportunities. Helping you make a difference.
We have many partners who share our beliefs and our goals. That certainly includes the Make a Difference Institute. MaD is a regional network of young change-makers that invests in young people – the next generation of innovative leaders. Since 2010, MaD has connected more than 50 000 young people at this annual forum and organises a range of activities throughout the year.
MaD helps young people turn ideas into action. Over the past two years, through the Jockey Club MaD School programme, MaD has set in motion more than 20 entrepreneurial teams. And the MaD Good Lab promotes programmes that inspire young people to bring positive change to society.
MaD is making a laudable difference to each and every one of you here today. In turn, you're being primed to create the future. Imagine that.
So enjoy the ride. Thank you very much and have a great evening.
Ends/Friday, January 30, 2015
Issued at HKT 21:44
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