*********************************************************
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam, hosted a tea reception today (April 10) at the Victoria House for the participants of the "The E-League" programme, a year-long youth network development programme pioneered by Eastern District Office (EDO).
Invited guests included the Consul of the Republic of Korea in Hong Kong, Ms Park Ji-eun; the acting Director of Home Affairs, Mr Jack Chan; the District Officer (Eastern), Ms Anne Teng; secondary school students participating in the programme; school principals in Eastern District; representatives of corporations and individuals participating and supporting the programme and representatives from participating government departments.
Mrs Lam said the Government attaches great importance to youth work. Chief Executive announced the policy initiative on strengthening the Government's networking and communication with young people at the district level in the 2014 Policy Address. She was pleased that the implementation of "The E-League" programme launched by the EDO was very successful and well-received by the students in the district. Mrs Lam encouraged the students to grasp the opportunity to learn, develop their talents, contribute to the community, as well as thanked all participating corporations for their support.
"The 18 District Offices (DOs) under the Home Affairs Department (HAD) have been given additional resources since 2014 to take forward the aforesaid 2014 Policy Address initiative," a spokesman for the HAD said.
"DOs actively engage a core group of youths in their districts on an on-going basis through a series of activities and regular contact with them. We aim at enhancing the youths' civic mindedness and awareness of the community, broadening their horizons and realising their potential.
"Activities organised for the youths include youth forums, voluntary work benefitting the underprivileged and needy, leadership training, interest classes, visits to Government departments and public utility companies, and visits to mainland and overseas cities," the spokesman added.
The E-League programme is launched by the EDO in 2014 to build up a strong and close youth network which could in turn influence, lead and help to link up other young people in the district. It also gives the members an opportunity to embrace new challenges, develop self-awareness, make new friends and acquire new knowledge.
A total of 22 students from 14 secondary schools were selected by a Committee to participate in the programme. The 2014/2015 programme covered educational seminars, visits to Government and statutory bodies, visits to local corporations representing the major industries in HK, a team-building training camp, a study visit to the Mainland and an overseas exchange to Seoul. EDO will continue to take forward the E-League programme in 2015/16 and the nomination period has just begun.
Ends/Friday, April 10, 2015
Issued at HKT 21:17
NNNN