Jockey Club encourages young people to take part in organic farming

30/10/2010

To promote healthy and green living among the younger generation, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has donated some HK$960,000 to organise the Hong Chi – Hong Kong Jockey Club Community Organic Farming Competition for Primary and Secondary Schools this academic year, as part of the student education component under the Trust-initiated Environment Project.

Today (30 October), the Jockey Club's Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So joined General Secretary of Hong Chi Association Aldan Kwok to announce the opening of the competition.

Mr So said the competition’s objectives were in line with the Jockey Club’s own Environment Project.  “We have been working closely with Hong Chi Association. Early this year, we have launched a three-year Glass Bottle Recycling Campaign with Hong Chi Association and the Government’s Environmental Protection Department. By supporting the Community Organic Farming Competition this year with additional components, we hope to further educate the public through different channels, allowing students and teachers to learn more about organic farming, as well as increasing public understanding of green living.”

The Competition aims to target one hundred primary, secondary and special schools in Hong Kong which will be invited to run for the awards of “Best Greening Design”, “Best Organic Planting”, “Best Student Involvement” and “Outstanding Community Promotion”. Training workshops and Eco Tours will be arranged for teachers, students and parents alike to enhance their understanding about organic farming.

In addition, Hong Chi Association will organise public education and community outreach programmes such as roving exhibitions to create a wider social impact. Trainees of the Hong Chi Pinehill Integrated Vocational Training Centre will also take part to encourage social inclusion. It is estimated that over 1,800 mentally-handicapped people will be involved. For more information about the competition, please visit the official website www.communityorganicfarming.hk

The Hong Kong Jockey Club has long been a keen supporter of green living. The Club’s Charities Trust has initiated the Environment Project with a $350 million donation to bring about public awareness, arouse public concern and carry out extensive public education on environmental issues so as to foster sustainable development.  In addition to funding Hong Chi’s Community Organic Farming Competition and the Glass Bottle Recycling Campaign, the project also supports international symposia and public forums, such as Climate Dialogue 2010.

To demonstrate the Club’s commitment to environmental conservation as part of the Environment Project, the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course is the first in the world to introduce solar-powered golf carts. And to reduce carbon emission, solar-hybrid catamarans have also been brought in this year to carry passengers travelling between Kau Sai Chau and Sai Kung pier.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has become one of Hong Kong’s best known and respected organisations, providing the public with world-class sporting entertainment as well as being the city’s major non-Government community benefactor, now donating more than HK$1 billion a year to charitable and community projects.  It has been a part of Hong Kong through good times and bad, sharing the city’s growth and development with its people, and is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for future generations.