Reading brings enlightenment: books bring awareness Reading about youth raises awareness. The enlightenment that this reading brings can help prevent some of the extreme problems that have been in the headlines recently. That's one reason why we want to tell you about new HKFYG books at this month's Book Fair. They address some of the concerns you may share with us. The eleven new titles on sale at the fair include explorations of learning, and of compulsive use of the internet. Books on counselling, entrepreneurship and experiences with young drug abusers are among them. Other titles include stories from disadvantaged youth and their battle with hardship. There are accounts from young people who have learned the benefits of helping the elderly as part of school work too. Talks on creativity by well known members of the arts community at the fair reinforce the message of the books on creative education, on leadership and adventure training. There is something for everyone. Hong Kong Book Fair: 22-28 July, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Don't miss it. What's new Federation Flag Day 12 August Volunteers, we need you! Donors we welcome you! Contact Ada now if you would like to help. Tel 3755 7102 HKFYG dance competition heats this weekend 30 teams will dance this Saturday in the semi finals. They take place in the pedestrian precinct in Lockhart Road, behind the Sogo Department Store in Causeway Bay. Finals on 25 August at L3 Crystal Atrium, Metroplaza, Kwai Fong. Go to http://hkfyg09.dreamup.com.hk/HKYD_Web_ Preliminary.html to see the names of the teams or check out http://dance.hkfyg.org.hk/chi/index.html. Contact Michelle, tel 2395 5753 for details. Hang Seng Bank-Leaders to Leaders Lecture Series 2009 Rayson Huang Lecture Theatre, University of Hong Kong 25 July 10.30am-12.30pm Dr Raymond Ch'ien Kuo-fung, GBS, CBE, JP Chairman, MTR Corporation Ltd & Chairman, Hang Seng Bank Topic: Investment and business opportunities on the mainland. 1 August 10.30am-12.30pm Dr Thomas Chan Sze-tong, JP National Director, World Vision International-China Office Topic: The goals of charity. Call Rita, tel 2169 0255, for more information. HKFYG new books Thank you partners Community anti drug abuse programme with RTHK HKFYG collaborates with RTHK Radio 1 on the community anti-drug programme, Wiser Consumers. It was broadcast on 14 July and will be aired every Tuesday till 25 August, from 3.30-4pm. Contact the Federation's Tsuen Wan and Kwai Chung Outreaching Social Work Team for more information, tel 2487 6151. Click here to listen http://www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/radio1/Wiser_ Consumers/ 20090714.html Another brand new day courtesy of Hongkong Bank Foundation and Hong Kong Police Mentors from the Hong Kong Police in Kwai Tsing District and funding from Hongkong Bank Foundation have made another outreach programme possible for young offenders in Kwai Tsing district. A Brand New Day 2009 was run every Saturday by HKFYG's Youth Support Scheme with teenage boys from April to July. They completed fitness and adventure training and learned about the harm drugs can do by going to a drug rehabilitation centre and participating in an anti-drug roadshow in Kwai Fong. The relationship built up between the boys and police mentors meant a bond grew and at the closing ceremony on 18 July everyone involved was reluctant to say goodbye. Contact Winky, tel 23964711 for more information. Disneyland partnership takes F5 students to theme park Each year thousands of Form 5 students feel stressed and perplexed while anticipating their HKCEE results. This programme helps them, with a goal-setting workshop on 3 August at Disneyland. They can plan how to pursue their dreams as well as relaxing and having some fun before the big day and decision-making time. A hundred Form 5 pupils take part, courtesy of the Hong Kong Disneyland Park with free admission and lunch. Guest/Celebrity: To be confirmed. For details, contact Ying-ying, tel 2788 3433. Happy Heli High Flyer project takes off Wanting to make a community contribution and mark the relaunch of commercial helicopter services, Heliservices Hong Kong Ltd is encouraging young people to spread their wings and pursue their dreams with the High Fly programme. Federation members have the privilege to take part. There will also be a helicopter flight over the harbour for the disadvantaged. Contact Katie, tel 3755 7076 for more details. Centum Charitas Foundation supports Young Savers Scheme The Centum Charitas Foundation (百仁基金), a strategic partner of the Child Development Fund, has arranged a series of corporate visits this summer, for children taking part in the Young Savers Scheme, Fly High with Us. In Hong Kong they will visit The Bank of East Asia Ltd, China Life Insurance (Overseas) Co Ltd, the Hong Kong Regal Hotel and Sino Group. On the mainland they will go Guangzhou to visit Goldlion Holdings Ltd and Fok Ying Tung Group (Nansha Information Technology Park). The aim of the visits is to show them the workings of various business operations. More details are available from Yu Fan, tel 2423 1366. Just published HKFYG Youth Poll 187: How students feel about summer holidays given the swine flu threat and how they expect to spend their time Poll conducted 24-30 June 2009 with 302 full time students between Primary 5 and Secondary 7, published 8 July 2009 Close to 60% of the respondents said they would spend more time online as a result of the swine flu epidemic, especially those in Form 1-Form 3 who were still trying to study. 27% said that they had less motivation to learn during the coming holidays, but nearly 30% said they would do summer assignments or read to keep up their learning programme. Just over 20% said they would learn online and the same proportion would enroll for private tuition. Over 16% said they had no particular learning plan in mind, about half said they would spend more time watching TV and about 30% said they would hang out in the streets more. Over a quarter said they would go to shopping malls and over 15% said they would go to playgrounds. Nearly 20% said they were worried that they would have nothing to do whereas over 15% worried about being getting swine flu. Over a quarter said they felt bored more than anything else and 6% felt annoyed because of swine flu. For the full Chinese press release visit http://www.hkfyg.org.hk/yrc/chinese/yr-p187c.html Call Sharon, tel 3755 7039 for more details.