​​The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, today (January 28) officiated at the presentation ceremony for the Secretary for Home Affairs’ Commendation Scheme 2018 and presented commendation certificates and pins to 35 volunteer leaders and 18 youth volunteer leaders of youth uniformed groups, as well as to 48 youths who have performed outstandingly in volunteer services and youth activities.
Mr Lau congratulated the volunteer leaders and youths who received the awards. Speaking at the presentation ceremony, he said that uniformed groups have always been reliable partners of the Government in carrying out youth development work. By providing diverse activities and training for youths to develop a positive attitude and can-do spirit, uniformed groups have helped their members to become outstanding leaders and good citizens. Their activities and training have also enabled young people to broaden their horizons beyond regular classes, enhance their confidence and sense of responsibility, and learn the benefits of co-operation and discipline with the aim of attaining whole-person development, he said. He added that he was pleased to see that uniformed groups have continuously contributed to society, produced countless future pillars of society and laid a solid foundation for society’s development.
Mr Lau also praised the awardees in the youth category for demonstrating excellent leadership skills and a spirit to serve. He said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government attaches great importance to youth development and will continue to promote diverse pathways for the development for young people. It will also provide platforms for youths of various backgrounds, interests and potential to excel, in the hope that they will contribute to both society and the country in future.
Established in 2002, the Secretary for Home Affairs’ Commendation Scheme recognises individuals who have made outstanding contributions to community building, community service, youth work and other areas, including a category dedicated to uniformed group volunteer leaders to commend their efforts and contributions in youth development. All the volunteer leaders commended in the ceremony have provided services for their respective uniformed groups for at least 10 years, while the youth volunteer leaders commended were aged 30 or below and had served their respective uniformed groups for at least five years.
The youth category aims to recognise outstanding young people who have actively participated in social services, or have excelled in individual volunteer service or youth activities. It is also hoped that the Scheme’s awardees will serve as role models for the younger generation and encourage young people to participate enthusiastically in volunteer services and youth activities.
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