Be a Government Official for a Day Programme successfully concluded (with photos)

The following is issued on behalf of the Commission on Poverty:
 
     The "Be a Government Official for a Day" programme (the programme) successfully concluded today (August 16), following a  sharing session and certificate presentation ceremony held at the Central Government Offices, Tamar.
 
     Between July 16 and August 1, the 34 senior secondary students selected for participating in the programme had the opportunity to shadow respectively the three Secretaries and 13 Bureau Directors of the Government for a day to gain hands-on experience of the Principal Officials' work and a better understanding of the Government's operation. 
 
     At the sharing session, the students shared their experience and observations with their school principals, teachers, families, friends and the Principal Officials they shadowed.
 
     The Chief Secretary for Administration and Chairperson of the Commission on Poverty, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, presented certificates of participation to students at the end of the sharing session.  He commended them for their active participation, allowing Principal Officials  to gain better understanding of the young generation's view on the work of the Government.  On the other hand, the young participants could make use of the one-on-one interactions with Principal Officials to find inspiration for planning and consolidating their development plans and targets in the future.  Mr Cheung stated that the programme provided a direct channel for senior government officials to communicate and exchange views with young people.  In light of the enthusiastic response and the positive experience gained in the programme this year, the Government would actively consider launching a new round of programme next year. 
 
     The programme is a new initiative launched by the Commission of Poverty under the "Life Buddies" Mentoring Scheme this year.  A total of 1 163 applications from students of more than 300 secondary schools were received.  An experienced non-governmental organisation was engaged to help selected students get prepared for the job shadowing beforehand and consolidate their experiences afterwards.  Details of the programme are available at the "Life Buddies" website (www.lifebuddies.hk/en) and social network page (www.facebook.com/lifebuddieshk).