Youth in action with East Asian Games Youth volunteers at HKFYG are gearing up for this major multisport event coming to town in a just three weeks' time. Inspired by Olympic gold medallists, like Wong Kam-po and Lee Lai-shan, youngsters all over Hong Kong will be dreaming of lighting the torch, planning to get fit and healthy, getting into action. The Games are on from 5-13 December and the event will benefit local youth as well, as a result of the new sports facilities that have been built. Involvement in the event and participation by the young volunteers in support and logistics programmes are the kinds of community participation that the HKFYG heartily endorses. Recent events HKFYG u.channel hosts dialogue with Chief Executive The Chief Executive came to the HKFYG Cafe 21 last Monday for an interview which was recorded for the Federation's uChannel programme, Connecting with Celebrities. He spoke to an audience of young participants in the HK200 leadership programme and then answered questions about the policy address. The interview sound clip is now on uchannel.hk What's new Hong Kong-Mainland Youth Exchange Forum on Legal Matters with Elsie Leung and Joshua Law Students from Hong Kong and the mainland will be involved in the event at the Auditorium in the HKFYG Building, on Saturday morning, 14 November 2009. The Guest-of-Honour is Mr Joshua Law, JP, Permanent Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs. A thematic speech will be given by Ms Elsie Leung, GBM, JP, Standing Committee Member, NPC; Vice-President, HKSAR Basic Law Committee. There will also be several other guest speakers from Hong Kong and the mainland and panel discussions will focus on law and order plus opportunities for careers in the legal profession. Contact Max, tel 2169 0255, for more information. Just published Easy LEAD DIY for Families - Ideas on Festival Celebrations This book about family creative activities is designed for educators and parents to read with young children and primary school pupils. Readers will learn about the origin of 12 festivals and there are parallel creative projects which give parents ideas to use with their children. The book will enhance family communication and the joy of learning together. LEAD Creative Class - Moving towards Education in the 21st Century This book is the first in a series about the LEAD Creative Class programme organized by HKFYG and sponsored by the Hung Hing Ying and Leung Hau Ling Charitable Foundation. By exploring education in the 21st century and essential skills for a creative society, the book shows how LEAD Creative Class helps teachers and students adapt to new challenges. Successful cases of schools taking part in LEAD Creative Class are included and the book is recommended for educators, especially principals and teachers at primary and secondary level. Contact Joanna, tel 31060600 for more information about both of these books. 2009 Best Practice Awards in Social Welfare: Gold Award for HKFYG HKFYG has won the highest best practice award given by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS). It was made for corporate planning and is entitled the "Best Practice Gold Award for Organizational Change". The awards have been made every two years since 2003 and at the HKCSS AGM on 4 November they went to two winners out of a total 92 entries. Thank you partners 750 Free tickets for Ocean Park Halloween Bash on 1 November These free tickets were given to 750 underprivileged youth whose opportunities for visiting Ocean Park are very rare. It was a terrific Halloween night out for all, with 404 ghouls and goblins breaking loose in over 20 horror attractions including haunted houses, Scary Zones and freaky shows. Call Brenda, tel 37557102, to find out more. Operation Breakthrough Basketball 2009 sponsored by adidas Funding for the ongoing Operation Breakthrough comes from sponsor adidas Hong Kong Ltd and Saturday 24th October marked the second year of participation for ten youths who were presented with Certificates of Achievement. Police volunteers and teenage boys are involved in this programme which fosters teamwork and camaraderie, with the much appreciated help of both the police and the sponsors. Contact Wilson, 23964711 for more information. Learn from The Peak: Tour courtesy of the Peak Tramways From October to December this year, the Peak Tramways Company, Ltd is providing free tram rides to the Peak Tower for about 335 primary students. There are also free visits to Madame Tussauds Hong Kong, and the Ling Fung Coach & School Service Co Ltd is giving discount coach transport to participants. Participating schools are the HKFYG Lee Shau Kee Primary School, Hing Tak School, Tsuen Wan Lutheran School, Christian Alliance S Y Yeh Memorial Primary School, Chi Hong Primary School, Tsuen Wan Trade Association Primary School, Lu Shan School. Enquiries to Wai-man, tel 2395 0162. Free Trial for Open Dancing Class at the City Contemporary Dance Company Sunday 8 November saw young people aged 3-24 enjoying various dance classes at the City Contemporary Dance Company (CCDC) Dance Centre, in celebration of their 30th anniversary. Participants from HKFYG's Youth SPOTs and kindergartens did Hip Hop, Creative Jazz, Latin dance styles and Creative Movement. More details from Brenda, tel 37557102. Kaiji Paper-Scissors-Stone Charity Marathon at New Town Plaza The marathon game venue was kindly provided by New Town Plaza (Phase III) on 1 November and a donation of $10 was all it took to play the game made famous by the Japanese manga movie Kaiji. All proceeds will provide out-of-school learning activities and programmes for children from low-income families. Further information from Brenda, tel 37557102. Sponsorship from Hopewell Holdings for Nick Vujicic Attitude is Attitude Seminar Hopewell Holdings Ltd donated 80 tickets for HKFYG u21 youthnet members to go to a seminar on 4 November 2009 with Nick Vujicic. Vujicic, who suffers from severe disabilities, is visiting Hong Kong, encouraging people from all walks of life to seek purpose in their lives. For details of the seminar at the Hong Kong International Trade & Exhibition Centre in Star Hall, please visit http://www.pmf.org.hk/past_ event_detail.php?pkey=72&pg=1. Contact Marian Yeung, tel 3755 7072, for general information.