2017-18 Outstanding Youth and Outstanding Youth Activity Commendation Scheme award presentation ceremony held today (with photos)

     The award presentation ceremony for the Outstanding Youth Commendation Scheme and the Outstanding Youth Activity Commendation Scheme organised by the Home Affairs Bureau (HAB) and the Youth Development Commission (YDC) was held today (October 14). Thirty-six young people were commended for their outstanding achievements in personal development, leadership and social services. Eighteen outstanding youth activities were also commended.

     The Under Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Jack Chan, and the Chairman of the Task Force on Youth Development Fund and Programmes of the YDC, Mr Chan Pok-chi, attended the ceremony to commend the awardees.

     Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Jack Chan praised the awardees for serving the community in different areas. He encouraged the awardees to continue to inspire more young people to strive for self-improvement, embrace challenges and build a brighter future for Hong Kong.
 
     He said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government attaches great importance to youth development work. The YDC led by the Chief Secretary for Administration was set up this year to enhance policy co-ordination within the Government. This can forge cross-bureaux and cross-departmental collaboration effectively to address young people’s needs and provide more development opportunities for them. The HAB will continue to collaborate with the YDC on youth development and provide diversified platforms for young people to bring out their best.

     By giving recognition to outstanding young people, the Outstanding Youth Commendation Scheme aims to encourage youths to set targets for their personal development and to actively take part in community building and social services, thus setting an example for fellow young people.

     The young awardees were nominated by the 18 districts in the Open Category and the Secondary School Category. After two rounds of interviews, the judging panels selected the Star of the Stars of the respective categories and the Top 10 Outstanding Youths, as well as awardees of the Stellar Accomplishment Award, the Youth Leadership Award, the Social Service Award and the Personal Breakthrough Award.

     The Outstanding Youth Activity Commendation Scheme is also held to give recognition to innovative, purposeful and popular district youth programmes and encourage the organisation of more quality and effective activities to promote youth development in the districts. The scheme also serves as a platform in which districts can learn from one another and further enhance their creativity in organising different kinds of activities benefiting young people.

     The award recipients of the 2017-18 Outstanding Youth Commendation Scheme and the Outstanding Youth Activity Commendation Scheme are listed in the Annex.