#1
International Convergence 2005
Introduction
60 participants from 26 schools, 6 countries, totalling 18 cooking sessions, consulate visits, temple visits and workshop visits, 2 workshop and seminar days, numerous presentation preparation sessions, all culminating with one final spectacular banquet – International Convergence 2005 has truly been a sparkle in our Association’s calendar.
International Convergence 2005 is a multicultural-experience scheme that aims to promote understanding of cultural diversity and international cooperation, given the abundance of cultures and races represented in Hong Kong.
This was achieved through allowing the participants to experience cultural practices of other countries. Throughout the entire scheme, the participants underwent unique cultural experiences, ranging from learning how to cook Indian Samosas to a Shabbat at the Ohel Leah Synagogue to interviews with Consuls or Consul Generals working in the Consulate Generals of six countries represented – Germany, India, Israel, South Africa, Spain and Thailand. In addition, workshops were held to educate the participants on various topics such as globalisation and international cooperation. The scheme culminated with a closing banquet, in which the participants presented their cultural experiences and conversed with representatives from the various consulates of the countries in Hong Kong.
Outline of the Project
Day 1 Workshop
Date: 6th November, 2005
Time: 1400 - 1700
Venue: Lecture Hall of Diocesan Boys' School
Guests:
Professor Gordon Matthews, Associate Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong
Mr. Tzvika Berman, United Jewish Congregation
Mr. Angel Garralda, Spanish Chamber of Commerce
Mr. Vijay Harilela, India Association
Mr. Paul Urbanski, Professor at the Hong Kong University Language Centre
Mrs. Ratana-Ubol, Professor at the Hong Kong University Language Centre
Day 2 Workshop
Date: 12th November, 2005
Time: 0900 - 1200
Venue: Lecture Hall of Diocesan Boys' School
Guests:
Professor Tony Hung, Head of the Hong Kong Baptist University Language Centre
Professor Peter Preston, Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong
Mr. Angel Garralda, Spanish Chamber of Commerce
Six students representing the six countries from the Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong
Cultural Experience Week
(7th November – 14th November)
The aim of the Cultural Experience Week was to enhance participants understanding of culture through experience and interaction with natives, rather than in an academic atmosphere. The visits proved to be immensely enjoyable and simultaneously a learning experience.
Cultural Project Week
(14th November – 19th November)
During this Cultural Project Week, the participants prepared presentations promoting the country's culture, history and current tourist attractions. The presentations were given at the Banquet-cum-Closing Ceremony in front of guests. Some groups even managed to cook the national cuisine of their country and allowed all those attending the banquet to taste this. The week was particularly a golden opportunity for the participants to familiarize themselves with each other, and thus, everlasting friendships were formed.
Closing Banquet
Date: 19th November, 2005
Time: 1900 - 2300
Venue: Oriental Ballroom, Regal Oriental Hotel Hong Kong
Guests:
Dr. Wing Cheng, Executive Director of CJR Education
Mr. Helmut Rausch, Deputy Consul General of Germany
Mr. Thivhilaeli Makatu, Consul for Politics of South Africa
Dr. Waramon Waruttama, Consul for Politics of Thailand
Mr. Tzvika Berman, United Jewish Congregation
Mr. Angel Garralda, Spanish Chamber of Commerce
Mr. Vijay Harilela, India Association
Mr. Paul Urbanski, Professor at the Hong Kong University Language Centre
Mrs. Ratana-Ubol, Professor at the Hong Kong University Language Centre
Sponsors:
Citigroup
CJR Education Centre
Venture Language Training Ltd.
Donations:
Mr. Angel Gerralda, Spanish Chamber of Commerce
Supporting Consulates in Hong Kong:
Mr. Frank Burbach
Consulate General
German Consulate General in Hong Kong
Mr. Deepak Misra
Consul for Culture and Information
Indian Consulate General in Hong Kong
Mr. Thivhilaeli Makatu
Consul for Politics
South African Consulate General in Hong Kong
Mr. Camilo Vega
Consul General
Spanish Consulate General in Hong Kong
Dr. Waruttama Waramon
Consul for Politics and Information
Royal Thai Consulate General in Hong Kong
Supporting Cultural Societies in Hong Kong:
Mr. Tzvika Berman
United Jewish Congregation
Mr. Angel Garralda
Spanish Chamber of Commerce
Mr. Vijay Harilela
India Association
Mr. Paul Urbanski
HKU Language Centre
Mrs. Kanokwal Ratana-Ubol
HKU Language Centre
Students from the Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong
Supporting Cultural Sites in Hong Kong:
Mr. Ben Fox-Schwartz
United Jewish Congregation
Mr. Bawa Singh Dhillon
Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple
Mr. Klaus Walter
German Speaking Catholic Church in Hong Kong
Wat Makthumvanaram Temple
#2
Volunteer Training Scheme 2006
Introduction
The Volunteer Training Scheme will provide participants with the opportunity to contribute to the community through volunteer training and strive for personal success through the enhancement of leadership skills. The theme for Volunteer Training Scheme 2006 is "SamariLeaders of Tomorrow". In previous years, the Association has annually hosted the Volunteer Training Scheme, which focused chiefly on developing skills related to social services. However, this year we have decided to broaden the skills augmented to include leadership training skills, which we believe to be extremely important both for personal achievement and for contribution to society. The Scheme lasted from the 18th February 2006 to the 8th April 2006.
Theme
The theme of our project, "Samarileaders of Tomorrow" contains two key aspects.
"Samari" is a reference to the story of a Good Samaritan in the bible. In the story, the Good Samaritan shows his unconditional and selfless love towards those in need. We hope to be able to encourage participants to actively serve society, and foster a lifelong passion for doing so. We hope that through this project participants will gain a broadened perspective of how they can make a difference to the community. In the project, participants will take a microscopic view in providing service. There will be four key areas of service: the elderly, orphans, the deaf and the blind. For each of these fields we will be working closely with a supporting non-governmental organization (see below) that is at the forefront of the service topic. These four fields have been selected to provide participants with a novel learning experience.
The second aspect of the project is to allow participants to recognize their roles as future leaders of society. We hope to equip them with the skills that they will need to fulfill this responsibility. In particular, the Volunteer Training Scheme 2006 seeks to convey to participants the idea of "communication" as a fundamental part of leadership. We hope to teach participants the need to communicate both macroscopically, through interpersonal skills such as public speaking to inspire others, and microscopically, through building a strong relationship with peers.
Orientation Day
Date: Saturday, 18th February 2006
Time: 13.45 - 16.35
Venue: School Hall, Maryknoll Convent School (Secondary Section)
Adventure Day (Adventure-Based Counselling)
Date: Sunday, 19th February 2006
Time: 08.00 - 19.00
Venue: Lamma Island HKFYG Campsite
Leadership Day
Date: Sunday, 26th February 2006
Time: 13.45 - 17.45
Venue: School Hall, Diocesan Boys' School
Volunteer Day
Date: Sunday, 5th March 2006
Time: 13.45 - 17.15
Venue: School Hall, Diocesan Boys' School
Planning of Service Projects
Date: Sunday, 5th March 2006 - Friday, 17th March 2006
Pledge Ceremony
Date: Saturday, 18th March 2006
Time: 13.45 - 17.15
Venue: School Hall, Maryknoll Convent School (Secondary Section)
Service Projects
Date: Sunday, 19th March 2006 - Friday, 7th April 2006
Venue: Supporting NGO Service Centers
Closing Ceremony
Date: Saturday, 8th April 2006
Time: 13.45 - 18.00
Venue: School Hall, Diocesan Boys' School
Guests
Ms. Doreen LEUNG
Recipient of the Outstanding Young Persons of the World Award
The Hon. Audrey EU Yuet-mee, SC, JP
Legislative Councilor
Mr. SUNG Lap-yeung
Chairman of the Chinese Speech Sub-committee of the HK Schools Music and Speech Festivals
Mr. Paul TANG, JP
Director of the Social Welfare Department, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Ms. Linda LAI, JP
Deputy Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food (Family and Women), Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
#3
Hong Kong Youth Summit 2006
The 4th annual Hong Kong Youth Summit 2006 was held between the 1st April and the 22nd April 2006. Involving 120 top students in Hong Kong, with 12 Leadership Groups, 6 Commissions and 5 days of engaging discussion and debate, the Hong Kong Youth Summit 2006 has truly been a memorable highlight in our Association's calendar.
The Hong Kong Youth Summit aims to allow secondary school students to raise awareness of, and exchange thoughts and views on, issues of current economic and political significance, as well as encourage students to voice their opinions and engage in debate.
Students emulated legislators representing different sectors and discussed different issues that were of significant social importance. Through a series of leadership group and commission meetings, discussion and debate, interactive and informative speeches, seminars by eminent members of the Hong Kong Government and experts in the field, interviews, surveys and field visits to the concerned sector of people in Hong Kong, students were inspired to think critically in different perspectives and put forward solutions to current problems in Hong Kong that will help shape its future. The Hong Kong Youth Summit 2006 culminated in a spectacular Final Summit and Banquet, where resolutions were further debated and voted on.
This year, the Youth Summit focused on the all-important future of Hong Kong and included such pressing yet controversial issues such as the environment, education and healthcare reform, tourism, social welfare and Hong Kong's position of economic importance in relation to the world. Due to keen competition abroad, participating students recognised the urgent need for Hong Kong to make the best use of her assets in order to remain competitive as well as the significant impact that the issues involved would have on Hong Kong's future.
Moreover, there were a number of novel aspects added to the programme of the Hong Kong Youth Summit which provided the students with a wider and more comprehensive experience. The addition of the EINNA-Ma Chau Island Crisis, the Commission Introductory Speeches, the Commission Seminars by various guests, more interactive, stimulating and exciting games, more comprehensive information and a banquet immediately following the Final Summit were examples of these.
The final resolutions produced will be sent to the press, the Legislative Council and respective government bureaux or departments, such as the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau, Home Affairs Bureau, Education and Manpower Bureau, Environment, Transport and Works Bureau in order to reflect the views of Hong Kong youths.
It is our Association's sincere hope, that through the Youth Summit, students learnt to involve themselves in society, to stand up for their beliefs and to persevere.
Program Outline
Orientation Day
Date: 1st April 2006 (Saturday)
Time: 13:45 - 17:30
Venue: The University of Hong Kong
Day 1
Date: 2nd April 2006 (Sunday)
Time: 09:30 - 17:30
Venue: The University of Hong Kong
Day 2
Date: 8th April 2006 (Saturday)
Time: 09:15 - 17:45
Venue: The University of Hong Kong
Day 3
Date: 15th April 2006 (Saturday)
Time: 09:15 - 18:00
Venue: The University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong Youth Summit Proper
Date: 22nd April 2006
Time: 09:30 - 19:00
Venue: The University of Hong Kong
Interviews
These were held in order to enhance participants' ability to argue from their given viewpoints. Students were given a chance to interview eminent specialists in given fields and ask their opinions on issues that were discussed at the summit.
Education
Date: Monday 3rd April 2006
Interviewee: Mr. AU Pak-kuen
Vice President of the Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union
Commerce
Date: Tuesday 9th May 2006 (Interview postponed due to interviewee unavailability)
Interviewee: Mr. Paul YIN Tek-shing, BBS
Former National President of the Junior Chamber International Hong Kong
Health
Date: Monday 3rd April 2006
Interviewee: Dr. The Hon. Joseph LEE Kok-long
Legislative Councilor and Representative of Health Services
Media
Date: Friday 7th April 2006
Interviewee: Mr. TAM Chi-keung
Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Journalists Association
Environment
Date: Friday 7th April 2006
Interviewee: Ms. Linda HO
Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Green Council
Social Welfare
Date: Friday 7th April 2006
Interviewee: Dr. The Hon. Fernando CHEUNG Chiu-hung
Legislative Councilor and Representative of Social Welfare
Labour
Date: Tuesday 4th April 2006
Interviewee: Mr. CHENG Yiu-tung
Executive Councilor and Chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions
Foreign Investors
Date: Monday 3rd April 2006
Interviewee: Mr. Stephen MARCOPOTO
Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce
Arts & Culture
Date: Monday 10th April 2006
Interviewee: Mr. Jonathan YU
Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council
Government
Date: Tuesday 11th April 2006
Interviewee: Mr. Andrew WONG Ho-yuen, JP
Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service
We would also like to extend our gratitude to our chief sponsor, Wofoo Social Enterprises ("WSE"). WSE is a not-for-profit entity that advocates and exemplifies the entrepreneurial approach to delivering quality social services through mobilising social capital. WSE strives with its partners to attain the goal of "Harmony amongst people to Build Prosperity of our Home and Country" by effective use of resources and network support.
Last but not least, we would also like to thank the following organizations and individuals for their unwavering support to the Hong Kong Youth Summit 2006:
Sponsors
The University of Hong Kong
Venue Sponsor
Mr. George LUNG Chee-ming
Banquet Visual Equipment Sponsor
#4
Interflow Camp 2006
Introduction
The Interflow Camp has always been a memorable sparkle in the Association's calendar and it receives tremendous support and attention from the educational sector every year. This year, it is scheduled as one of our largest annual projects. The camp provides a valuable opportunity for secondary school students to interact and learn outside the classroom and share their views and experiences on teen vision. Our aim is to broaden students' perspective of how they can make a difference in the world through various interactive and educational seminars, games and activities.
This year, the Camp aims to expand on the very core fundamentals of the upcoming generation. These include social participation and commitment, which we believe are the very essence of personal development and imperative for the future success of teenagers.
Theme
The main theme of this year's Interflow Camp is 'Age of Infinity'. As a student organisation, the HKOSA is always keen on developing talents in teenagers who will be serving the community as future leaders. As we all know, no one is born to be a charismatic leader. However, we believe that every teenager has unlimited potentials and inner qualities. Our goal is to help them develop their talents. After understanding more about themselves, teenagers would be encouraged to soar beyond and think globally with their unlimited enthusiasm, spirit and confidence. Through the Interflow Camp, we expect our participants to acquire a broader vision, learn from the long history of mankind, reflect and adopt the good qualities present in each era to the present world and to the future. While stimulating their creativity, we also aim to develop their management skills which are crucial for their future pursuit. They should learn to take a more pro-active role in global issues, understand the world and thus be well equipped to reach for their dreams.