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Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Junior Chamber International (JCI) Asia-Pacific Conference Hong Kong today (June 7):
President Daems, Executive Vice President Ulziidelger, Conference Director Li, JCI Hong Kong National President Ng, members of the Junior Chamber International, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
I am delighted to join you for this opening ceremony of the JCI Asia-Pacific Conference Hong Kong.
A very warm welcome to Hong Kong to our friends from around the region. I would also like to congratulate JCI Hong Kong on staging this wonderful event. The energy and enthusiasm of all the participants here today are truly inspiring.
JCI was founded in 1944, and since then has been promoting positive change in our communities through its members, including all of you here today.
Creating change is often easier said than done. In the words of American comedian Billy Crystal, "Change is such hard work."
That is why today's conference, and similar JCI events around the world, are so important. This is an ideal platform to share your initiatives and experiences with peers from different countries and cultural backgrounds. It is also a stimulating launch pad for turning your passion and ideas into action.
Through the wide range of seminars and workshops at this conference, you will be able to fine-tune your leadership skills and make valuable connections with like-minded people from different places.
Here in Hong Kong, we are deeply engaged with our region and the rest of the world through international trade and finance. Our culture is a fascinating blend of East and West. We welcome people from all corners of the globe to come to Hong Kong to work, invest, study and enjoy our unique way of life.
We also cherish and protect our freedoms, including the freedom of speech, of assembly, of religion, and media freedom, just to name a few. All this is crucial to our city's success in a highly globalised environment.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is the first time in more than 30 years that the JCI Asia-Pacific Conference has come to Hong Kong. I am sure that you will take full advantage of this marvellous networking opportunity.
Hong Kong has a great reputation for hosting large-scale events here at the AsiaWorld-Expo and at different venues across the city. You will find all the necessary hardware and software to ensure a very successful conference.
I also encourage all our visitors to find some time to explore Hong Kong and learn more about our city and the role we play in promoting positive change in our region.
Allow me to conclude with a few words of wisdom from the Indian philosopher and change-maker Mahatma Gandhi. He said, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." How wise!
Thank you very much. Have a great conference, and do come back and visit our city again soon.
Ends/Thursday, June 7, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:43
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