HKFYG Youth Matters

Drinking underage

In spite of the fact that alcohol consumption among young people is low when compared to both the Mainland and Korea, it is much higher than in Singapore and Malaysia. In fact, buying alcohol in Hong Kong is easier than in many places around the world and the quantity went up markedly when tax on wines, beer and most spirits was waived. At present there are no age restrictions, although no one under the age of 18 can legally drink in restaurants or bars.

With surveys by the Narcotics Department that show that almost 65% of secondary students have had a drink and most of our binge drinkers are males aged 25-34, this is a concern that needs to be dealt with before the problem gets out of hand.

Education, specifically aimed at target groups, and particularly adolescents, has been found to be very effective, for this is the cohort that tends to be most affected by peer pressure. However, this is not an issue for young people alone. Parents, teachers, salespersons and the general community must also be educated about the risks of underage drinking. It is only if everyone takes a stand to end this behaviour that we might be able to end the scourge of binge drinking at any age.

Congratulations for Sustainability

YBHK startup, EcoSage Ltd 4th among all Hong Kong's SMEs for excellent CSR initiatives
Congratulations to Felix Chung and Alex Tam, owners of EcoSage, an HKFYG Youth Business Hong Kong startup, for being such a good role model for other youth entrepreneurs. Assessments of SMEs were made by the Department of Management and Marketing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Hong Kong Productivity Council. They have jointly compiled the Hong Kong SME Business Sustainability Index which rates achievements in sustainable development, management of CSR projects, and positive contributions to economic, social and environmental sustainability. Further details from Miranda Wong 3113 7999 and at http://www.researchsea.com/html/article.php/aid/6979/cid/4.

Coming soon

Hong Kong 2012 International a cappella Festival TICKETS ON SALE TODAY for 3 events including gala concert Extravaganza

The Hong Kong 2012 International a cappella Festival Extravaganza concert on Saturday 31 March 2012 stars the Beelzebubs from Tufts and Delilah, also from the US, accompanied by the HKFYG Hong Kong Melody Makers and Kay Tse. On 20 April 2012 the festival welcomes Rockapella from New York City for the A cappella Master Series. To conclude, on 28 April, the Hong Kong Melody Makers present a cappella Theatre Si Gwong Gei. The festival is sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. Tickets are now on sale from URBTIX, www.urbtix.hk, enquiries 2734 9009. Credit card booking hotline 2111 5999. Call Connie tel 2395 5753 for more info about the programme.

Services

Stop a While…Listen to our Children and Youth: talks from the HKFYG Parent-child Mediation Centre
The HKFYG Parent-child Mediation Centre has just launched a series of talks for parents. The next in the series, Love in Conflict: Initial Stage, is on 10 March, 3-5pm at the Vocational Training Council Youth College in Tin Shui Wai with writer Joel Poon and media celebrity, Smile Cheung as speakers. This is the second in a series of four talks. The next two will be on 24 March and 14 April. More details in due course. To register for any of the talks or to get more information, call 2402 9230 or go to either www.vtc.edu.hk/ero/talk or http://pcmc.hkfyg.org.hk

Thank you to all our partners

Dragon Foundation Golf Tournament at Mission Hills Golf Club on 13 April 2012: a must for golf lovers
The 4th Dragon Foundation Golf Tournament will be on Friday 13 April 2012 at the Annika Course, Mission Hills Golf Club Dongguan Clubhouse. Past tournaments at Mission Hills have been a great success. Many thanks indeed to our partners and sponsors so far, including Mission Hills, our venue sponsor, Dr Raymond Chan, Mr Daniel Cheng, Dr Edgar Cheng, Mr Tony Ip, Mr Edward Kwan, Ms Marisa Kwok,

Ms Esther Suen, Mr Ricky Tsang, Mr Yeung Fun-bun, Action Nonwovens Company Limited, Prince Jewellery & Watch Co Ltd, The Peninsula Hong Kong, and Yeung's Group Inc. Funds raised will be used for Dragon Foundation leadership programmes. Sign up now by completing your details at http://www.dragonfoundation.net/Golf/2012/Golf%20Tournament%202012%20Pamphlet.pdf. Contact Mabel, tel 2811 2779 for more details or visit www.dragonfoundation.net

Student Guidance Team Leap to the Future with Li Ka Shing's "Love Ideas ♥ HK"
A life plan can help youngsters set and achieve goals in life but many youngsters lack planning skills so the HKFYG Student Guidance Team has launched Leap to the Future, a project sponsored by Li Ka Shing's "Love Ideas ♥ HK." Young students are coached on decision-making and planning before making their own plans about studying, work and money. They reflect on what they have learnt at debriefing sessions at school with social workers, teachers and parents who can help consolidate learning. By February 2012, over 1,800 primary students from 12 primary schools had participated. Contact Leung Wai-man, tel 2395 0162 for more details.

Child Development Fund pilot project supported by Labour and Welfare Bureau and sponsorship from Prudential Hong Kong
180 participants including mentees, parents, mentors and guests assembled at the Noah's Ark conference hall in Ma Wan on 25 February to celebrate the successful outcome of a 3-year matched saving scheme completed by over 100 young people. Prudential Hong Kong was the scheme's matching fund sponsor and Mr Paul Tang, JP, Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare, was present at the ceremony as Guest of Honour. Four HKFYG Youth SPOTs in New Territories West have been involved in the scheme which included corporate mentorship, personal development planning and targeted savings with matching contributions by Prudential Hong Kong and the Labour and Welfare Bureau. Contact Annie Kwan, tel 2498 3333 for more details.

Just published

Youth SPOT magazine February 2012 on stress: its causes, effects, prevention and cure
We all feel stressed at times and HKFYG's Youth SPOT magazine number 010 is about the effects. Targeting a young audience, the trendy Chinese magazine carries stories from youth who talk about how they feel when stressed and how they chill. The magazine is now available at hot spots in Causeway Bay, Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui plus HKFYG outlets. Read online at youthspot.hkfyg.org.hk. Contact Andrey, tel 3755 7041, to know more.

HKFYG Journal of Youth Studies Serial no. 29
Impact of the New Senior Secondary Academic Structure on Youth

Now available from the HKFYG Youth Research Centre, this latest issue of the HKFYG Journal of Youth Studies (JYS) has articles about the first group of new senior secondary students who will sit the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education exams this summer. JYS (Serial no. 29) discusses the impact on young people, the problems associated with assessment standards, learning differences when compared to the old public exams, options and pathways. Academic articles on youth housing needs and policy in Taiwan, mainland China, Macao and Hong Kong are also published in this issue. Go to http://yrc.hkfyg.org.hk/eng/jys29.html to read the abstracts or contact Amy, tel 3755 7037 for further details.