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Club-funded youth scheme holds international conference to explore youth development issues

05/03/2012

More than 900 international experts and local practitioners from education and social service sectors attended a two-day international conference on “Youth Development in the Global Context: Emergent Issues and Responses” today (3 May) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Organised by P.A.T.H.S. to Adulthood: A Jockey Club Youth Enhancement Scheme, the conference explored youth development issues across the world and shared experiences to devise the most appropriate ways to help teenagers develop positive beliefs and achieve their full potential.

At the opening ceremony, Club Steward Dr Eric Li noted that P.A.T.H.S. had an impressive record of achievement and was the first well-structured, multi-year, cross-sector and evidence-based youth development programme ever launched in Hong Kong. Made possible through support from the Social Welfare Department and the Education Bureau, P.A.T.H.S. has been implemented in over 280 secondary schools, benefiting 213,000 students, and has trained over 7,000 teachers and social workers.

“Financed by the Club’s Charities Trust donation of HK$750 million, the project has been implemented in two phases between 2006 and 2012. With the success of the first two phases, the Club is extending its support to a new phase of P.A.T.H.S which adopts a community-based model to reach out to even more young people,” he said.

In stressing the Club’s commitment to youth development, Dr Li also noted the Club’s Charities Trust has donated over HK$2 billion in youth-related projects in the past decade and the total donations to the community now exceed HK$1.6 billion a year.

Secretary for Labour and Welfare Matthew Cheung thanked the Trust’s support towards P.A.T.H.S. “In Hong Kong, the government places great emphasis on a wide range of preventive, supportive and remedial services to meet the changing needs of our younger generation. I applaud the generosity and efforts of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust in complementing the Government’s effort in building our youth for the future.”

While the Hong Kong Polytechnic University President, Professor Timothy Tong noted there have been worrying trends and phenomena related to the development of young people both locally and globally.

“In response to these issues, there is an urgent need for systematic, holistic, evidence based and multi-year youth enhancement programmes which can reduce adolescent developmental problems and promote positive youth development,” he said.

Distinguished professors and experts from the United States, Israel, Denmark and Australia shared views on youth development in the conference. One of the keynote speakers, Professor Richard Catalano from University of Washington School of Social Work, who gave advice in the initial stage of P.A.T.H.S., shared his experience in delinquency prevention and positive youth development programmes in the U.S in today’s conference.

In addition, local and overseas education practitioners from Singapore, Shanghai and Macau who had adapted the P.A.T.H.S. teaching materials also explained its effectiveness and how the Scheme helped students minimise their risk behaviour and develop positive beliefs.

The P.A.T.H.S. initiative is spearheaded by renowned academics from five local universities who have established a research team to develop a range of programmes addressing 15 positive youth development constructs. The Scheme launched since 2006/07 school year aims to help local junior secondary students explore their potential, establish self-identity, foster closer ties with others, and develop positive beliefs and clear values.  In light of the strong support from the local education sector, the original 3½-year project has been extended for three more school years from 2009/10 to 2011/12. Owing to the overwhelming response, the third phase of P.A.T.H.S. will adopt a community-based model to reach out to more young people. Further details of P.A.T.H.S. are available at www.paths.hk.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is not only one of the world's leading horse racing organisations but also a world top 15 charitable organisation and Hong Kong’s largest community contributor, donating HK$1.6 billion in 2011. It is also a major taxpayer, Hong Kong's single largest by far, generating over HK$15 billion a year for public funds. The Club pioneers technology applications for sporting and betting entertainment, striving for the highest levels of customer service. As a membership club, it is recognised as one of Asia’s most prestigious, with more than 23,000 members. These multifaceted roles make it a well-respected and remarkable organisation, dedicated to its mission of enhancing the quality of life for all Hong Kong people.

Club Steward Dr Eric Li says the Club is extending its support to a new phase of P.A.T.H.S. which adopts a community-based model to reach out to even more young people.
Club Steward Dr Eric Li says the Club is extending its support to a new phase of P.A.T.H.S. which adopts a community-based model to reach out to even more young people.

Photos 2/3: Club Steward Dr Eric Li (left) presents souvenirs to Secretary for Labour and Welfare Matthew Cheung (Photo 2, right) and Chairman of the Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education Dr Joseph Lee (Photo 3, right).
Photos 2/3: Club Steward Dr Eric Li (left) presents souvenirs to Secretary for Labour and Welfare Matthew Cheung (Photo 2, right) and Chairman of the Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education Dr Joseph Lee (Photo 3, right).


Secretary for Labour and Welfare Matthew Cheung (7th right), Club Steward Dr Eric Li (7th left) and Mrs Li (2nd left), the Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (1st right), Chairman of the Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education Dr Joseph Lee (6th right), Director of Social Welfare Patrick Nip (5th left), Commissioner for Narcotics Erika Hui (3rd left), Education Bureau Principal Inspector (Guidance and Discipline) Brian Lee (4th right), Hong Kong Polytechnic University President Professor Timothy Tong (5th right), P.A.T.H.S. Principal Investigator Professor Daniel Shek (6th left) pictured with overseas speakers and guests.
Secretary for Labour and Welfare Matthew Cheung (7th right), Club Steward Dr Eric Li (7th left) and Mrs Li (2nd left), the Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (1st right), Chairman of the Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education Dr Joseph Lee (6th right), Director of Social Welfare Patrick Nip (5th left), Commissioner for Narcotics Erika Hui (3rd left), Education Bureau Principal Inspector (Guidance and Discipline) Brian Lee (4th right), Hong Kong Polytechnic University President Professor Timothy Tong (5th right), P.A.T.H.S. Principal Investigator Professor Daniel Shek (6th left) pictured with overseas speakers and guests.

Photos 5/6: Professor Richard Catalano from University of Washington School of Social Work (Photo 5) and P.A.T.H.S. Principal Investigator Professor Daniel Shek (Photo 6) share their views on youth development.
Photos 5/6: Professor Richard Catalano from University of Washington School of Social Work (Photo 5) and P.A.T.H.S. Principal Investigator Professor Daniel Shek (Photo 6) share their views on youth development.

 
 

Secretary for Labour and Welfare Matthew Cheung (3rd left), Club Steward Dr Eric Li (3rd right), Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (1st right), Chairman of the Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education Dr Joseph Lee (2nd right), Director of Social Welfare Patrick Nip (2nd left) and Chief Executive of ISS-HK Stephen Yau (1st left).
Secretary for Labour and Welfare Matthew Cheung (3rd left), Club Steward Dr Eric Li (3rd right), Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (1st right), Chairman of the Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education Dr Joseph Lee (2nd right), Director of Social Welfare Patrick Nip (2nd left) and Chief Executive of ISS-HK Stephen Yau (1st left).

International experts and local practitioners attend the two-day conference.
International experts and local practitioners attend the two-day conference.

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