Youth Development

SIGNIFICANCE

Hong Kong needs a unified narrative for youth development

A youth development strategy (YDS) creates a common vision in youth development for all stakeholders (parents, families, caretakers, teachers, principals, social workers, non-governmental organisations, employers, and business). It sets out the principles for our youth-related initiatives and steers all our youth-related work in the same direction.

YDS is necessary for breaking silos for youth development

At present, separate government bureaux devise and implement many youth-related policies targeted at young people (e.g. education, work, civic participation). A YDS necessitates and facilitates coordination in the entire government to ensure its youth related initiatives are consistent and ultimately beneficial to young people.

YDS and the Youth Development Commission (YDC) must go hand in hand

YDS is nothing but lofty ideals without execution, but YDC is also nothing but a structure if uninformed by a vision. YDS is the frame of reference for policymaking pertaining to youth, while YDC will be responsible for coordination among government bureaux as they formulate youth-related initiatives.

We invest in our youths for our future

Seeing that young people are an asset to society, youth development is a social investment that generates returns not only for young people but also for the society at large. It is necessary to develop our human capabilities as part of governance with a long-term vision.

VISION

We want to provide an enabling environment for youth to realize their full potentials, creating fulfilling lives for themselves and a better Hong Kong.

MEANINGFUL PARTICIPATION

Youth will have the ability and confidence to make Hong Kong a better place, through actively and constructively participating in civic affairs and meaningful exchanges of ideas among themselves and with others.

UNFETTERED EXPLORATION

Youth will unleash their full potential in the careers of their informed choices from multiple and flexible pathways with sharpened job readiness and clear guidance. They are free to explore and flourish in their multiple areas of talents, and through these explorations, learn skills, find their life values, and develop global perspectives which altogether form the foundation for their future endeavors in life and society.

INSPIRING EDUCATION

Our youth enjoy learning and are inspired through our education so that they are equipped with basic abilities for their future endeavors, empowered for lifelong learning and ready for contribution to society in the future.

COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT

No youth will be left behind: individual characteristics of youth (socioeconomic background, minority status, and being at-risk) are not hindrances to their fulfilment of potentials. Youth are provided with support networks through which they can build their resilience, get accessible and stigma-free support, and believe in having a positive future.

Youth development principles

WE ARE ALL POSITIVE ABOUT YOUTH

A youth development strategy sees youth as an invaluable resource. It embodies a positive, strengths-based approach to youth development, and emphasises giving right opportunities and support to young people, with which they will unleash and fully realise their potentials and ultimately contribute to the society.

WE PROTECT OUR YOUTH AND REMOVE BARRIERS FOR THEM

Because youth is a critical stage of transition in life carrying with it many risks and opportunities, a youth development strategy aims to build up the resilience in our youth to overcome life’s challenges, while at the same time creating a supportive environment to facilitate their development.

WE RECOGNISE AND PRIZE YOUTH DIVERSITY

A youth development strategy takes into account the diversity of young people and envisions success that is achievable for every young person out there, regardless of differences in gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic background, religion, sexual orientation, education level, field of work, political view, etc.

Youth development approach

On an individual level

We want to empower our youth now through giving them optimal support, opportunities, services and programs. We want to give youth opportunities to explore, to learn, to develop skills, to earn, to belong, to influence, to make mistakes and to fail.

We hope that young people will grow up to form their own identities. Young people must have opportunities to participate in decision-making and take responsibility to become independent adults.

On a community level

We want to encourage our youth’s participation and engagement now. Youth is an important stakeholder in our society, and they must have adequate channels to voice their concerns and have their views duly considered.

If young people grow up to be active citizens and contribute to the society, youth development can help us build a more prosperous, inclusive and equitable future society.