HKFYG Youth Matters

Easing tensions

While no one will ever dispute the importance of acquiring an education, it is so easy to understand if a student begs to differ. Especially at this time of year.

Every year, the inordinate pressures of exams cause untold worries and anxieties, driving students to despair. This year, these concerns are doubled given the new Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) exams which students faced for the first time. Students also had to contend with a different system of marking from the one they are used to, and had the added pressure of changing university admission requirements.

While counsellors have been there to assist the students with their frustrations and disappointments, what is most important in these situations is preparation. Before we even reach the exam hall, preparatory exercises need to go beyond simple mock exams, and should include psychological and emotional support, helping to ease rather than exacerbate pressure. Enabling students to de-stress, unwind and relax is the responsibility of parents, teachers and youth workers who all share the common goal of producing successful, well-balanced young adults.

There is no escape from exams, which are a part of life. But agonized anxiety should not be a part of the curriculum.

Services

Teen's Action: massive response to YEN summer programme preparing school leavers for work with the Employees Retraining Board and Education Bureau

A new programme, Learn and Leap - Teen's Action 2012, is being launched by HKFYG today, with the Employees Retraining Board and the Education Bureau. From May-August it will help equip some of the 100,000 students who are leaving school. There has been an overwhelming response and admission is free to 3,000 students. The major objective is to enhance awareness of labour market needs, work culture and practice. Career seminars, taster vocational training courses, workplace visits, and experience-sharing sessions with practitioners are provided plus follow-up training and employment support services. Mr Stanley Ng, CEO of the Employees Retraining Board is our Guest of Honour today and Hong Kong Disneyland Park, Ocean Park Hong Kong, Seibu Department Stores, Fortress and Watsons are just the first to offer job-shadowing posts and internships. Call Jasmine or Peggy, tel 3113 7999, or find more details at http://yen.hkfyg.org.hk/teen2012/

Coming soon

LEAD organizes Scratch Day Hong Kong 2012 for exchange of ideas about innovative teaching and learning with Scratch software

LEAD will continue its support of Scratch Day, an event initiated by MIT Media Lab, by organizing Scratch Day Hong Kong 2012 on May 19 at the LEAD Centre in Cyberport. An increasing number of teachers integrate Scratch software into the school curriculum to enhance students' motivation to learn and their self-expression, so these educators will share their experience and insights about creativity and e-learning during the event. Contact Edmond, tel 3106 0600, for more details.

Meet YBHK young entrepreneurs and get business tips this weekend on Entrepreneur Day
Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the annual Entrepreneur Day at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), attracts over 10,000 visitors eager to collect valuable business information. On 11 and 12 May, as the official partner of the event, YBHK will showcase interesting businesses in Hall 1 E and hold a series of seminars and workshops, including the well-received personality workshop and another with Ray Chung, founder of OpenRice.com. For more information, please contact Miranda Wong, tel 3113 7999.

Hang Seng Bank Leaders to Leaders Lecture Series 2012 at The University of Hong Kong
The first four lectures in the Hang Seng Bank Leaders to Leaders Lecture Series 2012 are coming up this month. On 14 May Prof Timothy W Tong, President of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University will speak on education development. On 17 May Mr James Hong, Director & General Manager, Corporate Strategy Office & Marketing Division, Sony Computer Entertainment Hong Kong Ltd will talk about innovation and technology. The creative industries are the topic for Ms Ada Wong, Founder & Hon Chief Executive, Hong Kong Institute of Contemporary Culture on 22 May and on 30 May Prof Stephen YL Cheung, Dean, School of Business and Chair Professor of Finance, Hong Kong Baptist University will speak on economics and finance. For more details contact Iris Wan, tel 21690255.

Thank you to all our partners

Adventure-based instructor training course with national sports associations funded by Love Ideas ♥ HK
HKFYG has a grant of $600,000 from the Li Ka Shing Foundation's Love Ideas ♥ HK to organize a 140-hour adventure-based instructor training course for 126 youngsters aged 18-25. Partners include Hong Kong National Sports Associations. The course includes 'hard' (physical) skills such as canoeing and mountaineering, as well as soft-skills such as team building and debriefing. The Advanced programme will begin on 26 May and will be completed by July 2012 and selection of potential advanced training participants who can go on to

become qualified adventure-based activities instructors, is now underway. For more information, please visit our facebook http://www.facebook.com/ait2011 or contact Elsa, tel 3755 7109.

Trade and Industry Department, Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Hong Kong Productivity Council support HSBC Youth Business Award 2012
Organized by HKFYG, the Award has sole sponsorship from HSBC Business, and is supported by the Trade and Industry Department, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Hong Kong Productivity Council. It recognizes outstanding youth businesses and enables entrepreneurship to flourish. Local youth enterprises that have been in business for 1-5 years are welcome to enter for the award by 20 July. It enriches business knowledge and offers prizes of over HK$310,000. For more information, please contact Miranda Wong on 3113 7999 or visit http://ybhk.hkfyg.org.hk/ybaward2012/en

Free tickets for Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of Hong Kong and MCMCo show
for HKFYG Lee Shau Kee College
Free tickets for Orchestra from Planet X went to HKFYG Lee Shau Kee College students last weekend, courtesy of the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of Hong Kong (MYO) and Magic Circle Mime Co (MCMCo). This was the 4th collaboration between the MYO and MCMCo for a show on 6 May at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. It combined orchestral music and visual theatre, bringing laughter and an exceptional experience for family audiences. Please contact Iris, tel 3755 7107, for more details.

Charity Auction courtesy of Lisa's Collection, Conrad Hong Kong 19-20 May
HKFYG is organizing the fourth Charity Auction at the Conrad Hong Kong this month. The preview is on Saturday 19 May, 10am-8pm and the auction begins at 10am the next day. We are very grateful to Mr Li Huibing for issuing appraisal certificates for some of the ceramics for auction and to Mr Zhou Nanquan for contributing descriptions on jade carvings for the auction catalogue. Thanks also go to SecurePro Technology Security System Ltd for supplying a CCTV system, and to Sun Ming Transportation Company Ltd for offering discount professional transport for auction items. Fine ceramics, jade & jadeite, ornaments and jewellery will be auctioned and a course is being offered by Mrs Lisa Cheung Chung Lai-seung of Lisa's Collection on appreciating Chinese antiques and works of art. Premiums received will support diversified, professional services for young people in the community, especially for those who are vulnerable or in need. Visit charityauction.hkfyg.org.hk for an online preview. Call the Charity Auction Office, tel 3755 7103, for more information.

Just published

Partnering for the Young 2010-2011 edition: just released
Every year we acknowledge the essential help and encouragement of partners with a new edition of Partnering the Young. It highlights 39 HKFYG partnerships and goes to all existing partners with our warmest compliments. The review is also designed to show potential new partners and individuals concerned about youth what we do. Please let us know if you would like more copies. For the online version click here. We welcome your partnership. Contact Bonnie, tel 3755 7101.