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The following is issued on behalf of the Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education:
The Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education (CPCE), the Home Affairs Bureau and the Alliance of Hong Kong Youth Groups has jointly organised a public speaking contest to enhance young people's understanding of the Basic Law.
CPCE Chairman Mr Daniel Heung launched the contest at a ceremony today (October 2) at the Central Atrium of Olympian City 2. Popular Hong Kong DJ Francis Mak was appointed as the campaign ambassador.
Other officiating guests include Principal Assistant Secretary of the Home Affairs Bureau Ms Esther Leung, President of the Alliance of Hong Kong Youth Groups Mr Chan Tak Ming, and representatives of the Department of Justice (DoJ), the Constitutional Affairs Bureau (CAB), the Education and Manpower Bureau (EMB), Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), and Hong Kong Toastmasters Club.
DoJ, CAB, EMB, RTHK and Hong Kong Toastmasters Club are co-organisers of the campaign.
Last year, the CPCE organised the first speaking contest for tertiary students and the general public with encouraging results. The contest this year targets young people, with the theme, "Learn the Basic Law, Know Your Rights and Duties".
At today's ceremony, apart from the performances by pop singer Wilfred Lau, there was also a short drama on the Basic Law by the Hok Yau Club's Ten Theatre and a singing performance, "Love the Basic Law", by the Hong Kong Youths Unified Association. The winner of the Basic Law Speech Contest last year also hosted a talk show with DJ Mak. Various youth organisations operated Basic Law game booths for participants.
The first and final rounds of the contest will be held next month and in December respectively. The contest will be open to two age groups: junior youths (aged six to 15) and senior youths (aged 16 to 25). Participants are welcome to join the contest as individuals or in groups. The top three winners of each category will be awarded book coupons, winner cups and certificates. Prizes will also be offered to winners of three special awards. The deadline for entries is October 24.
Those interested in participating in the contest are welcome to join the workshops on the Basic Law and public speaking skills to be held at Pui Ching Education Centre and the Exhibition Hall of the Sheung Wan Civic Centre on October 8 and 16 respectively.
To complement the public speaking contest, roving exhibitions will be held at schools, tertiary institutions and shopping malls until November.
For more information, please call 3165 8266 or visit the website of the Basic Law Speech Contest (http://www.basiclawspeech.hk).
Ends/Sunday, October 2, 2005
Issued at HKT 17:00
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