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Club-sponsored "Make a Difference" forum to inspire young people's creative minds

23 January 2010

In his 2009 policy address, HKSAR Chief Executive Donald Tsang pledged that the Government would develop six industries that could propel Hong Kong towards a knowledge-based economy, including the development of creative industries and grooming creative talents.  The Hong Kong Jockey Club has echoed Government's initiative by supporting "Make a Difference" (MaD), a new initiative to bring local young people together with the world's most creative minds.  Its first large-scale youth forum, MaD 2010, is being held this weekend in Kwai Tsing Theatre, offering a wide array of creative activities including talks, challenges and the Club-sponsored "Jockey Club Make a Difference Workshop Series", all aimed at encouraging young people to make good use of their creativity and contribute to society.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club's Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges noted that the Club had paid much attention to the development of Hong Kong's creative industries and supported the introduction of various innovative projects. Examples included the revitalisation of the Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre to provide creative spaces for local artists; the establishment of SkyHigh Creative Partners in Tin Shui Wai with the aim of exploring and nurturing young people's creative talents; and the Club-funded "Learning through Engineering, Art and Design" project (LEAD) to facilitate the development of creative and innovative education in Hong Kong.  "We believe that young people have the potential, passion and power to be the catalyst for change," he said.  "By funding the !˘DJockey Club Make a Difference Workshop Series', we hope to stimulate young people to contribute fresh ideas and creative power to Hong Kong."

At last night's MaD 2010 opening ceremony, Financial Secretary the Hon John Tsang said, "No matter whether you are from the post-50 generation, like me, or post-80 like many of you, we should always keep an open mind, and be ready to embrace new ideas and new concepts."

More than 20 local and international thought leaders and role models are taking part in MaD 2010, sharing their creative ideas with some 800 young people aged 16 to 30 with the aim of generating fresh ideas and creative power in Hong Kong - a city of creativity.  During the event, which runs until Sunday (24 January), the Club-sponsored "Jockey Club Make a Difference Workshop Series" will feature various unconventional and creative workshops that encourage young people to feel and think differently.

These include "Dialogue in the Dark", where participants are led by visually impaired guides to complete a series of tasks in the dark and learn what cannot be taken for granted; "Playback Theatre", a spontaneous performance that creates space for people to meet each other through personal stories; and the "Dream It, Do It Social Venture Seed Project", where participants are invited to team up with like-minded peers, dream up an idea to make the world a better place and realise it with their own hands.

More information about these activities can be found at http://www.m-a-d.asia/.

125th Anniversary of The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is celebrating its 125th Anniversary in 2009/10 season.  Over the past 125 years, it 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.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club's Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges says by funding the "Jockey Club Make a Difference Workshop Series", the Club hopes to stimulate young people to contribute fresh ideas and creative power to Hong Kong.
Photo 1:
The Hong Kong Jockey Club's Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges says by funding the "Jockey Club Make a Difference Workshop Series", the Club hopes to stimulate young people to contribute fresh ideas and creative power to Hong Kong.

Financial Secretary the Hon John Tsang speaks at the opening ceremony of MaD 2010.
Photo 2:
Financial Secretary the Hon John Tsang speaks at the opening ceremony of MaD 2010.

Photos 3/4: The Hong Kong Jockey Club's Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (2nd from right) joins Financial Secretary the Hon John Tsang (centre) and Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Institute of Contemporary Culture, Ada Wong (2nd from left), at the opening ceremony of MaD 2010.
Photo 3:
Photos 3/4:
The Hong Kong Jockey Club's Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (2nd from right) joins Financial Secretary the Hon John Tsang (centre) and Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Institute of Contemporary Culture, Ada Wong (2nd from left), at the opening ceremony of MaD 2010.

Photos 3/4: The Hong Kong Jockey Club's Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (2nd from right) joins Financial Secretary the Hon John Tsang (centre) and Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Institute of Contemporary Culture, Ada Wong (2nd from left), at the opening ceremony of MaD 2010.
Photo 4

Photos 5/6:  MaD 2010 offers a wide array of creative activities including talks, challenges and the Club-sponsored "Jockey Club Make a Difference Workshop Series".
Photo 5:
Photos 5/6:
MaD 2010 offers a wide array of creative activities including talks, challenges and the Club-sponsored "Jockey Club Make a Difference Workshop Series".

Photos 5/6:  MaD 2010 offers a wide array of creative activities including talks, challenges and the Club-sponsored "Jockey Club Make a Difference Workshop Series".
Photo 6

 

 

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