The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, today (June 1) met with the Federal Minister for Families and Youth of Austria, Dr Sophie Karmasin, during her visit to Hong Kong.
 
     At the meeting, Mr Lau introduced Hong Kong's youth development work to Dr Karmasin. They also discussed future co-operation arrangements on youth exchange between Austria and Hong Kong under the International Youth Exchange Programme. The Programme, jointly organised by the Home Affairs Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Commission on Youth, aims to broaden youths' horizons and international perspectives as well as enable them to exchange ideas and experiences with their counterparts in other countries.

     Mr Lau said, "The HKSAR Government attaches great importance to youth development. We strive to explore opportunities of youth exchange with other parts of the world, and Austria is an ideal partner in this regard. Austria and Hong Kong have rich potential for further co-operation on youth exchange for the mutual benefit of the young people of both places. We hope that we can start youth exchange with Austria in the near future."
 
     Dr Karmasin said, "Our new youth exchange scheme will open the door for more opportunities for our young generation to broaden their horizons, learn from other cultures and gain international experiences. This is a further step in deepening the exchange between Austria and Hong Kong on all levels with a clear benefit for both our youth and our relations at large."
 
     Both sides agreed at the meeting that a Hong Kong youth delegation will visit Austria in the last quarter of 2017. It is also planned to have bilateral youth exchange between Austria and Hong Kong starting from 2018. The detailed arrangements are being worked out by both sides.

Ends/Thursday, June 1, 2017
Issued at HKT 13:59

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