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The Acting Secretary for Home Affairs, Ms Florence Hui, today (October 17) launched Uniformed Groups cum Youth Development Day 2015 at a ceremony featuring a parade and inspection at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay.
The event was jointly organised by the Home Affairs Bureau, 14 Hong Kong uniformed groups and three local youth organisations, with the support of the Commission on Youth and the Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education. It aims to enhance public understanding of Hong Kong's uniformed groups and youth organisations as well as encourage youngsters to participate in uniformed group activities and services and learn about team spirit and the value of serving others in the community.
During the opening ceremony about 400 youth members from the participating organisations and the music band held a parade and lined up in an orderly manner for Ms Hui's inspection.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ms Hui said that the Home Affairs Bureau (HAB) has always attached importance to youth development and has worked closely with various youth uniformed groups and non-governmental organisations to provide the younger generation with diverse kinds of non-formal education.
She added that the HAB has increased the recurrent subvention for the uniformed groups and youth organisations compared to last year in the hope of supporting and promoting youth development in a more effective manner. She said the HAB hoped to nurture them into becoming future leaders through multi-faceted training and to cultivate the spirit of serving the community among teenagers through diverse voluntary work opportunities.
After the opening ceremony, the uniformed groups and youth organisations put on a variety of demonstrations including musical instrument performances, singing, dancing, martial arts, drama, artistic cycling and first aid to demonstrate their multi-faceted talents and bring enjoyment to the members of public. A number of games and exhibition booths were set up by individual organisations, and free health checks and consultations were offered to participants.
The co-organisers of Uniformed Groups cum Youth Development Day 2015 are the Scout Association of Hong Kong; the Hong Kong Girl Guides Association; the Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps; the Hong Kong Sea Cadet Corps; the Hong Kong Adventure Corps; the Hong Kong Red Cross; the Hong Kong St John Ambulance Brigade Cadet Command; the Boys' Brigade, Hong Kong; the Girls' Brigade Hong Kong; the Hong Kong Road Safety Association; the Association of Hong Kong Flag-guards; the Civil Aid Service Cadet Corps; the Auxiliary Medical Service Cadet; the Hong Kong Army Cadets Association; the Hong Kong Award for Young People; the Agency for Volunteer Service; and Junior Police Call.
Ends/Saturday, October 17, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:02
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