The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (October 29) officiated at the Kick-off Ceremony of the Strive and Rise Programme at the Central Government Offices and announced the official launch of its first phase. He also witnessed the oath-taking by mentees, as well as their parents and mentors, to pledge their active participation in the Programme. Representatives of the enterprises and organisations that support the Programme, as well as star tutors from various sectors in society, also joined the Ceremony. 

     When delivering opening remarks during the event, Mr Chan said that the Strive and Rise Programme aims to support, through the tripartite collaboration between the Government, the business sector and the community and in a targeted manner, junior secondary school students who are in need of societal support for upward social mobility, so as to build a caring and inclusive society and enhance the upward mobility of the youth. The first phase of the Programme, being a milestone of the tripartite collaboration between the Government, the business sector and the community, has admitted all the 2 800 eligible mentees, 40 per cent more than the enrollment target, in a spirit of supporting as many as possible.

     He said that the Strive and Rise Programme, since the Government announced it in late August 2022, has received from more than 120 enterprises and organisations their overwhelming support in terms of sponsorship, nomination of mentors and planning of group activities for mentees. Of them, those providing the Programme with key support have earlier been engaged to join the Partners' Board to serve as strategic partners. Also, the Programme is underpinned by a number of star tutors, who will share their experiences and insights related to their respective professional fields with mentees through group activities. 

     Mr Chan expressed his wholehearted gratitude to the various enterprises and organisations for their contributions to the Programme, and to the mentees' parents and mentors, star tutors and schools for their support for the Programme. He also particularly thanked the various district organisations for taking up the role of Central Co-ordinator or District Co-ordinator, which have been in close collaboration from mentee recruitment to the planning-cum-execution of the Programme and will provide mentees, their parents and mentors with necessary support. He hoped that all mentees will actively participate in the diversified activities under the Programme and better equip themselves upon their mentors' guidance, so as to set and attain personal goals with a positive attitude. 

     Mr Chan, accompanied by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun; the Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Ms Alice Lau; the Under Secretary for Education, Mr Sze Chun-fai; the Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Mr Clarence Leung; the Director of Social Welfare, Miss Charmaine Lee; and the Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Alice Cheung, witnessed the oath-taking by mentees, their parents and mentors to pledge their active participation in the Programme.
      
     Right after the Kick-off Ceremony, an orientation session was arranged for the participating mentees, as well as their parents and mentors, to learn about the details of the programme and their own duties and responsibilities. In the weeks ahead, other mentees, as well as their parents and mentors, will be invited in batches to orientation sessions likewise. 
      
     The Strive and Rise Programme is led by an inter-departmental task force chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration. Through the tripartite collaboration between the Government, the business sector and the community, the Programme aims to help mentees to broaden their horizons, reinforce their self-confidence, develop a positive outlook on life, set goals for their future and strive for upward mobility. The Programme has received sponsorship of some $140 million thus far. Under its first phase, which lasts for one year, mentees are paired up with mentors on a 1:1 basis and some 800 group activity sessions are made available for the mentees' enrollment.     

Ends/Saturday, October 29, 2022
Issued at HKT 17:31

NNNN