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Publisher :

The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups www.hkfyg.org.hkwww.m21.hkwww.u21.hkYouth Hong Kong: 21/F, The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Building, 21 Pak Fuk Road, North Point, Hong Kong

Tel : 3755 70843755 7108Fax : 3755 7155Email : youthhongkong@hkfyg.org.hkWebsite : youthhongkong.hkfyg.org.hk

YouthVolume 5 Number 4December 2013a quarterly journal from the hongkong federation of youth groups

H O N G K O N GYouth

Volume 6 Number 3September 2014a quarterly journal from the hongkong federation of youth groups

H O N G K O N G

Hong Kong is

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YOUTH HONG KONG published quarterlyby The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups

EDITORIAL BOARDRosanna Wong Elaine Morgan (Editor) Ada Chau (Assistant Editor) Angela Ngai Lakshmi Jacot William Chung Henry Poon

CIRCULATION (unaudited)11,000-12,000 in Hong Kong, throughout the region and overseas

VIEWS EXPRESSED are the authors and interviewees, may come from official sources, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial board or publisher

REPRODUCTION OF CONTENTS without written permission from the publisher is prohibited

INTERVIEWSElaine Morgan, Lakshmi Jacot, Ada Chau

PERSPECTIVES CONTRIBUTORSBen Tse Elena Ng Mimi Mo Jessica Chan Ajmal Samuel Elaine Morgan

SELECETD YOUTH SPEAK CONTRIBUTORSLin Kristy, Ernest Chau Christy Chu Joy Pamnani Ivy Ho, Kevin Li Ho-lam, Gigi Chau Pansy Tam

OTHER CONTRIBUTORSVirginia Addison Education Post Cathay Pacific Kate Yung Hilary Lok HKFYG unit staff TRANSLATIONHenry Poon Ada Chau

PHOTOGRAPHSCourtesy of HKFYG Very Hong Kong competition entrants, as captioned.

Other photographs by Elaine Morgan, Ada Chau, acknowledged as captioned, or in public domain

ARTWORKSam Suen, DG3

DESIGN, LAYOUT & PRINTINGDG3 Asia Ltd

ISSN 2071-3193WEB youthhongkong.hkfyg.org.hkCORRESPONDENCE to The Editor, Youth Hong Kong, 21/F, The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Building, 21 Pak Fuk Road, North Point, Hong Kong

TEL 3755 7084, 3755 7108FAX 3755 7155EMAIL youthhongkong@hkfyg.org.hkADVERTISING enquiries to Ada Chau 3755 7108THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF YOUTH GROUPS was founded in 1960 and is one of the citys largest non-profit youth organizations. Its programmes and activities at over 60 locations are attended by 5 million participants every year.

CORE SERVICES Counselling, Creativity Education & Youth Exchange, Education, Employment, Leadership Training, Leisure, Cultural & Sports, M21 Multimedia, Parenting, Research & Publications, Youth at Risk, Volunteering, Youth SPOTs

ADVERTISER Alliance Franaise MEDIA PARTNER Education Post

4-5OVERVIEWHong Kong is home

20-23YOUTH SPEAKNeutrality, vision & balanceIndependence and determinationWork, luck and locationFreedom of speechSense of identity

24-33 YOUTH WATCHEDUCATION POSTTALKING POINT

34-50FEATURESFitness and nutritionPollutionYouTubersHKFYG

ContentsOVERVIEW4 Hong Kong is homeINTERVIEWS6 Joseph Sung Vice-Chancellor, CUHK8 Yip Wing-sie Hong Kong Sinfonietta10 Antony Leung Nan Fung GroupPERSPECTIVES12 Ben Tse13 Elena Ng15 Mimi Mo16 Jessica Chan18 Ajmal Samuel19 Elaine MorganYOUTH SPEAK20 Values shared, concerns airedYOUTH WATCH24 Virginia Addison Having their sayTALKING POINT28 Education Post Reluctant return30 Cathay Pacific31 HKFYG surveys Thumbs up for Hong KongCITY SPACE34 Kate Yung Fit for life36 William Wong Air pollutionART & CULTURE38 Hilary Lok Lights, camera meHKFYG40 Hang Seng Bank Leaders to Leaders Lecture Series42 Global Youth Entrepreneurship Forum44 M21 Travel Mission46 New books47 Membership and Volunteering48 School youth work49 Ode to Joy mass musical event50 Congratulations

Youth Ho n g K o n gSeptember 2014Volume 6Number 3

6-11INTERVIEWSProf Joseph Sung Ms Yip Wing-sieMr Antony Leung

12-19PERSPECTIVES TV presenterPsychology studentNeuroscientistIT project managerParalympic rowerWriter

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It is said that home is where the heart is. Not just the heart, but the passion, the concern, the commitment, even the worry to ensure that home is the place where we feel most comfortable, secure and happy. Home is also the place where we choose to stay and where we choose to make our lives and livelihoods, committed to its prosperity, success and hopes.

The idea of home in the context of Hong Kong is what we are looking at in this issue. In the pages that follow, well-respected members of the community explain what keeps them here and what brings them back home again from abroad. Their appreciation is clear: they are proud of Hong Kong peoples spirit, solidarity, pragmatism and efficiency.

The young people who write in this issue emphasize the fundamental importance of freedom of speech and expression, and the rule of law. They praise our hometowns achievements and successes, linger over the icons of which they are fond, and say what troubles them most.

All who have responded to our call for views have said with sincerity what they value about the place we all call home. Whatever its fate in the larger arenas of politics, economics and future development, their message is clear. We cherish Hong Kong and will meet the challenges to preserve it.

Dr Rosanna Wong, DBE, JP

Executive Director, HKFYG

September 2014

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Seven million people call Hong Kong home. This is the place where they have their roots, their families and their friends. It is the place to which they have committed their talents and energies, and from where they have acquired their knowledge and experience. This is the place where their financial and material investments have been made. It is the place which gives them their identity and the place to which they remain steadfastly loyal.

At this moment, Hong Kong is a home in the throes of all kinds of upset: political, social and economic. There is general disquiet about electoral autonomy and universal suffrage, governmental transparency, equality, housing prices, the environment, poverty, the state of the citys competitiveness and the increasing number of high-profile cases of alleged corruption.

The obviously negative headlines, coupled with thousands of people taking to the streets, airwaves and social media to express their discontent on one issue or another, paints a picture of a home in discord and disorder, where people are disappointed and divided. Yet history shows that the people of

Hong Kong are resilient in the face of change and challenge. Their hard work transformed what was once disparagingly called a barren rock into the global financial and business centre it is today.

This evolution has been complex and unique: from colonial trade entrept to haven for fleeing refugees; from the worlds factory to a service economy; then to its status as a Special Administrative Region of mainland China. At all the milestones, it is the pragmatic and open response of its people, watching their home develop, that has ensured what has been, essentially smooth transitions.

Confidence boosted by the knowledge that fundamental values and rights, such as the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, human rights and civil liberties, remained

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Hong Kong is home

Youth Hong Kong

Overview September 2014 |

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The people of Hong Kong have faced great challenges. In 1956 and a decade later in 1966, there were urban industrial riots against social inequalities, deplorable living standards and working conditions, as well as rampant official corruption. In 1967, the overtly anti-colonial riots, spurred by politics in China in the midst of its Cultural Revolution, had the potential to rip the city apart but that didnt happen. In the following years, Hong Kongs prosperity grew with free trade, low taxation, and anti-corruption legislation. Improved social welfare, education, healthcare and housing, along with excellent infrastructure and public transport, increased confidence as the city became more affluent and stable.

Anxieties about the Sino-British Joint Declaration in 1984 and the events of June 4 1989 led some to emigrate. However, by 1994 it was estimated that 30% had already returned. Many were disappointed with life as emigrants. This feeling was heightened by the sense of loss of the good things they used to have or enjoy in Hong Kong.

Peoples confidence was boosted by the knowledge that fundamental values and rights, such as the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, human rights and civil liberties, remained, along with the core values of freedom of speech and freedom of expression, which were protected by both the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance.

With this solid foundation in place, even the devastating Asian Financial Crisis of 1997-1998 and the Global Financial Crisis of 2008 could not deter Hong Kongs spirit. It was at these points that the world-renowned efficiency and resourcefulness of Hong Kongs people came to the fore, their indomitable can-do spirit ensuring that in spite of critical economic downturns, the city bounced back.

Ultimately, it is these emotional and psychological intangibles that make Hong Kong feel like home: the heart and passion of its people who are able to transcend challenges and obstacles, very often only with a strong and positive belief that the future will be better.

There is probably no other episode in recent Hong Kong history that exemplifies this so clearly as the outbreak of SARS in 2003. SARS battered the economy and, according to the papers of the day, resulted in the loss of 13,000 jobs and the closure of 4,000 businesses.2 The World Health Organisation issued a travel advisory against the city. It stayed in place for over one and a half months. For 104 days, Hong Kong was effectively closed to the world and was known as a SARS infected area. People pulled together, not only doctors and other health care professionals, but ordinary people volunteered to help their neighbours. A genuine spirit of caring and concern highlighted Hong Kongs strength and cohesiveness, not a surprise to those who looked beneath the superficial hustle and bustle of the city.

Now, Hong Kong is facing a political challenge, with the public mood charged to extremes. No one can predict the outcome of todays discontent. But given the citys history of confronting and facing difficulty, it is very hard not to be optimistic that in the long run the people want only what is best for themselves and the city of Hong Kong, their home.

1. Lam, Lawrence in Skeldon, R. Reluctant Exiles. New York: ME Sharpe, 1994, p170.

2. South China Morning Post, 24 June 2003.

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Hong Kong is, first and foremost, a place of opportunity. With outstanding public facilities, including education, medicine and transport, it really is a convenient city in which to live. These factors result, according to Professor Joseph Sung, eminent doctor, Vice-Chancellor and President of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, in a place where things get done. A fast-paced city, where one can achieve more, with a can-do spirit that enables work to be done efficiently and effectively.

After going to Canada to do his PhD for three years, Professor Sung found himself returning to Hong Kong in 1992 at a time when hospitals were closing due to Canadas economic recession. When offered a lecturers job in Hong Kong, he says he was both excited and a bit apprehensive. I had got used to a slower pace of life by then, but I realized that working here, I could get about three times as much done as in Canada. It was because of the energy of people, eager to just say Lets do it rather than worrying about red tape.

Hong Kong is, first and foremost, a place of opportunity. With outstanding public facilities, including education, medicine and transport, it really is a convenient city in which to live. These factors result, according to Professor Joseph Sung, eminent doctor, Vice-Chancellor and President of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, in a place where things get done. A fast-paced city, where one can achieve more, with a can-do spirit that enables work to be done efficiently and effectively.

After going to Canada to do his PhD for three years, Professor Sung found himself returning to Hong Kong in 1992 at a time when hospitals were closing due to Canadas economic recession. When offered a lecturers job in Hong Kong, he says he was both excited and a bit apprehensive. I had got used to a slower pace of life by then, but I realized that working here, I could get about three times as much done as in Canada. It was because of the energy of people, eager to just say Lets do it rather than worrying about red tape.

In this meeting, Professor Joseph Sung privileged Youth Hong Kong with stories from his past and a tribute to the quality of life in Hong Kong. He focuses on e ciency and resilience, energy and team spirit. However, when he left in 1989 to do his doctorate in Canada, he looked out of the plane window and believed he would not be coming back.

Professor JY Sung, SBS, JP, is Vice-Chancellor and President of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and concurrently the Mok Hing Yiu Professor of Medicine of CUHK. He completed his MB BS at The University of Hong Kong in 1983, was conferred a PhD in biomedical sciences by the University of Calgary in 1992 and a MD by CUHK in 1997. He was named Asian Hero by Time magazine in recognition of his work during the SARS epidemic of 2003.

Youth Hong Kong

Interview| September 2014

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A place of opportunity

Team spirit in dark momentsProfessor Sung found himself not only able to continue with academic research resulting in international acclaim for him and his team but also having the time to practise pioneering work in gastroenterology. Then, in 2003, the SARS crisis hit.

It was a turning point for Professor Sung, who remembers it as a time that epitomized the very best of Hong Kong values. With huge challenges to face, it was the Hong Kong team spirit that pulled us through. Everyone was part of a larger family, patients especially, as the doctors did everything they could, heart and soul, night and day, for them. Colleagues came down with fever and one almost died. Those were dark moments.

Yet what stands out as most poignant and rewarding, according to Professor Sung, was the unprecedented solidarity in Hong Kong. We received unbelievable support from the public. Calls, emails, cards, hundreds of childrens drawings, and even free desserts. They were brought to us by a nearby restaurant every day, carried by messengers endangering their own lives by coming to the hospital. Those were certainly were the best of times and the worst of times.

For Professor Sung, the SARS epidemic encapsulates the essence of what Hong Kong is: a place that can bring people together to cope with challenges. At this time, proud of what could be achieved, he suddenly realized that, it could all vanish with a snap of the fingers. I began looking more at what I could do for others

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instead of what I could achieve for myself. I saw that what matters most is humanity, family and friends.

Clear vision and no regretsToday, things have changed. On hearing of the discontentment among some university students, he says it is out of proportion. We need to strike a balance. Maybe one needs to leave Hong Kong in order to see it more clearly, to see how blessed we are, and to be grateful instead of focusing on grievances.

Hong Kong is home for Professor Sung, and whatever situation the city faces, he argues that it is the people who can make it work. As Vice-Chancellor, he devotes an increasing amount of time to young people, teaching and mentoring. Hong Kong is a very materialistic place, and there has been a change in attitude towards competitiveness. I hear young people today say they want to lead a simple life. I tell them I hope they will have no regrets in their lives. Living a simple and honourable life, doing something for others, building a society these are the beliefs to hold on to. Only then can one have no regrets.

2003

Note

An outbreak of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), a viral respiratory disease, ocurred between November 2002 and July 2003. It caused 8,273 cases and 775 deaths were reported with the majority of cases in Hong Kong. Amoy Gardens (pictured left) was the site of a massive outbreak.

Youth Hong Kong

Interview September 2014 |

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A Hong Kong girl at heart, Yip Wing-sies parents came here from Guangzhou in the early 60s when she was just one year old. Life was not easy. They lived in a small room in Kowloon City and her mother gave piano lessons to support the family.

Growing up was like it was for thousands of other children. We didnt feel like immigrants and I went to ordinary schools, she says. The difference was talent. In the late 70s, a Hong Kong Jockey Club scholarship took her to study in London. This exposed me to the real world of music, but Hong Kong always remained her home.

I remember flying back in those days. Every time the airplane approached Kai Tak runway I was so excited. I have never analysed it before but I realize now it was because I was coming home. The city had a hold on her, as it does on many people who have been away and returned. It was not going to let go.

Five years later she was still abroad, studying in the US with famous conductors like Leonard Bernstein. We saw the glamour of the mainstream classical music world and all my fellow students focused on getting to the top. Then came my first job offer, in Hong Kong.

It was difficult for conductors to find work anywhere, let alone female conductors, so she came home to work as resident conductor of the citys only classical orchestra, the Hong Kong Philharmonic. I knew it meant giving up the mainstream but I knew I would be contributing to the place that had shaped me. I also really appreciated the openness of Hong Kong people to me as a female conductor. I think there was less prejudice here. Maybe it was also because we did not have a strong tradition of classical music then.

Much has happened on the arts scene since. Although everyone overseas knew about Hong Kong, their concept of the arts world was very vague, says Ms Yip. Now when Im abroad on tour I say with pride and confidence, Please come to Hong Kong. Theres a lot going on. Its no longer the cultural desert people used to say it was!

Contributing with qualityMs Yip Wing-sie has directed world-class performances by the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, one of the citys home-grown orchestras, since 2002. Rightly proud of the changes she has been part of on the Hong Kong arts scene, she is also grateful

for the public support that enables talented musicians like her to shine.

The Passage Beyond in Concert is a new departure. Set in Hong Kong and composed, choreographed, acted and sung by home-grown music and drama talents, it opens next month with full orchestral accompaniment by the Hong Kong Sinfonietta.

2-5 October 2014 at the HK City Hall Concert Hall

Tickets from URBTIX. Full details of the Hong Kong Sinfonietta 2014/2015 programme at www.HKSL.org

I really appreciated the openness of Hong Kong people

to me as a female conductor.

Youth Hong Kong

Interview | September 2014

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No doubt, a lot is happening, and the more you look, the more you find. The arts are no longer considered the preserve of an elite and people like Ms Yip can take much of the credit. Support from the government and the education system have got us this far. Parents, too, play a part. A thriving economy has meant greater affluence so children learn how to play instruments and come to our concerts. Not only this, she continues, We can now put on concerts and shows featuring mainly home-grown artists and be confident that they will attract good audiences.

Behind it all has been the Hong Kong spirit, says Ms Yip. Everything moves at an incredible pace. Nowhere else in the world do things get done so quickly, so efficiently and - most of the time - so well. But there are drawbacks for a professional musician. Its too noisy and the pace is the real challenge. Artists need time to think, space to day-dream, and peace to develop thoughts. That means being very disciplined and finding a way to escape. For me, its golf, in the beautiful natural surroundings of Discovery Bay or Kau Sai Chau near Sai Kung. It takes my mind off everything.

Hong Kong people have worked very hard to make things happen here although very few were rich and life was harsh. If we can keep up that kind of spirit we can continue growing instead of becoming

increasingly self-centred. With todays polarization she sees a risk of equating fighting for human rights with demanding a right to break the rules.

We have much to be grateful for and I want to give back to my home town and its people in return for what they have given me. I want to preserve its best qualities, nourish its innovative brains and encourage its talented performers. I remind my audiences, the special something they take home after a live Hong Kong concert is a unique encounter that could happen nowhere but here.

Photos courtesy of the Hong Kong Sinfonietta.

Ms Yip Wing-sie is Hong Kongs best known professional female conductor. Under her baton, the Hong Kong Sinfonietta has gone from strength to strength. It now offers a popular programme for home audiences of all ages and has represented Hong Kong on 18 tours abroad.

Youth Hong Kong

Interview September 2014 |

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Friends and others have asked me if I would consider emigrating. My answer is simple. Why would I? Hong Kong is my home.

For someone who has attained the highest levels of leadership and success, in both the private and public sectors, getting a well-paid job anywhere in the world would not be difficult. That Antony Leung chooses to remain in Hong Kong demonstrates that he is not just sloganeering. Instead, his words are borne of his strong Chinese identity, coupled with his confidence in Hong Kongs strengths and his firm belief that as someone who has benefitted from the system, he has the responsibility to give back to it.

My parents came to Hong Kong from southern China just before 1949. The war years were difficult but I believe this played a large part in the sense of pride my parents instilled in me, of who I was and where I had come from. We were a poor family but by getting good grades, I was able to go to the University of Hong Kong. It showed me that this was a place where possibilities existed if one worked hard.

In this personal interview, Mr Antony Leung, CEO of the Nan Fung Group and Hong Kongs former Financial Secretary, talks about what he values and says he would never consider leaving Hong Kong. Its home.

Diversity, rationality and identity

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Maintaining core valuesAs Mr Leung sees it, Hong Kongs core values are, first and foremost, the rule of law and the freedoms the city enjoys. Peoples rationality, their perseverance and can-do attitude, their generosity and diversity, have enabled Hong Kong to be both a Chinese and a global city. This makes Hong Kong unique in his eyes and a place of which he is very proud. I have a warm feeling about Hong Kong and when I think of Gods kindness to me and how I have been blessed, I feel compelled to see what I can do for the community.

As he explains, his choice of subject at university was based on the desire to do something for others. Maybe I misinterpreted the Chinese translation of the word economics which was my chosen subject at university. But I understood it to mean, in its broadest sense, to manage the country, to benefit the people. And that is what I wanted to do. My first job at Citibank was meant to be a pragmatic step towards securing the necessary resources to do a Masters degree in the hope that I would become an academic. Then I found that the practical experience I was gaining had value and I set aside my academic career.

Putting home before jobInvolved in community work as a student, Mr Leungs commitment to Hong Kong was clearly demonstrated in 1996. On the path to one of the highest positions at Citibank, he gave up his career to return home. I saw Hong Kong facing the anxieties of 1997 and I really wanted to be here. There was no position for me at Citibank in Hong Kong, so I had to make a choice. I chose my home over my job.

Coming back was clearly more than wanting to be present at a historic moment. I was already involved in public service, but the events of 1997 made me think that I could make a bigger contribution to both Hong Kong and China and play a small role in ensuring that we would retain our global competitiveness. I was able to do this as a member of the Executive Council and later as Financial Secretary.

What about today? Mr Leung, now in the business sector, continues to have faith in the city. We are in the midst of a great deal of pointed political debate. However, both in and out of government, I have seen how the community comes together at moments of challenge and uncertainty.

In 1989 with the events of Tiananmen Square, in 2003 with the SARS epidemic, and at the annual march on July 1st, Mr Leung says he sees positive expressions of people who care for their home. Today, we are seeing the differences rather than the similarities, but I dont think we have reached a critical point. If people were to realize that Hong Kong was losing its competitive edge and slipping behind, they would pull together again.

I have great faith in Hong Kong, in its people, and in the principle of One Country Two Systems. This is our home and we know that our can-do attitude, and our cosmopolitan, open-minded society is what makes us special. We are still marching forward and young people should not despair at such times as these.

Mr Antony Leung has held senior positions in several major international banks and is currently the CEO of the Nan Fung Group, a large property development company. A former Financial Secretary and a member of the HKSAR Governments Executive Council, he was also a Member of the Exchange Fund Advisory Committee, a Board Member of the Hong Kong Airport Authority and Director of the Hong Kong Futures Exchange, as well as Chairman of both the Education Commission and the University Grants Committee.

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Hong Kong has a special place in my heart. I was born here, went to an international school until I was a teenager, and eventually moved abroad to further my studies and live. However, there was always something magical about Hong Kong that made me want to come back, so I moved back in 2001. I have been here ever since.

I remember how fascinating everything was then. I used to think I understood local Hong Kong culture; but it wasnt until I started working here and really getting to know more people that I realized how far removed I was from my old international school culture. I found the local environment very accepting even when people jokingly, but affectionately, called me a gwai jai (Western boy).

by Ben Tse

Hardship but acceptance, and a better lifeOne source of Hong Kong inspiration for me is my wife, a Shek Kip Mei girl. Like many others from that generation, her father swam down to Hong Kong illegally from the mainland in search of a better life, and her mother grew up in the original Shek Kip Mei public housing settlements built after the 1953 fire. The hardships that the previous generation had to endure (and that many still endure now, perhaps in different ways) helped Hong Kong become what it is today. They are truly an inspiration.

I have been an active part of the underground indie music scene for many years. One thing that has struck me about Hong Kong is how open-minded people are towards all kinds of music and art, and how accommodating and accepting they can be. I dont think I have ever seen the audience boo someone off stage, laugh at or heckle them. There also isnt a sense of elitism or snobbery when it comes to art and music. There seems to be a genuine appreciation for all genres.

The writers in this section have lived through changing times in Hong Kong. Now in their 20s, 30s and 40s, they look back on what Hong Kong has given them, and what it promises for the future.

Getting inspiration

Choice, change and commitment

Youth Hong Kong

Perspectives| September 2014

12All photos in this section courtesy of authors unless captioned.

Ben

Dig a little deeper There are some who say that Hong Kong culture is superficial and people dont appreciate art, but youll be surprised just how much goes on in this city, and how many folks are actually interested when given the opportunity to take part. At work, I have seen how much goes on in this city you just need to dig a little deeper and know where to look.

I think Hong Kong has changed a lot in these past 13 years, for the better, and for the worse, but ultimately I still find a lot of inspiration in this city. My ultimate source of inspiration these days is sitting on the top of Lion Rock, looking over the beautiful Kowloon Peninsula with Hong Kong Island in the distance as the sun slowly sets to the west. On a clear evening, I cannot think of any place more beautiful.

Ben Tse, a TV presenter with RTHK, is in his mid-30s.

He recently founded the indie band Oh! Nullah.

www.facebook.com/ohnullah

Greener grass

Thinking about work overseas instead of life in Hong Kong, this writer muses on the attractions of more open space and cleaner air. But she is ambivalent, and knows how di cult it would be to leave home

Its not hard to imagine having my own little American house, sitting out on the porch, admiring the view, with a cup of tea at 6 oclock after work. No noise. No pressure

Pleasures like this are hard to find in Hong Kong and my positive experience of being an exchange student in the US showed me how many opportunities there are overseas. In fact, if I was offered a good job package in a pollution-free environment I think I might prefer the simple life. I like the idea of a simple life: money is important but it cannot give you happiness.

Getting inspiration

Cont'd on page 14

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Like a box of chocolatesLooking back, to be honest, I missed Hong Kong when I was away. Mostly, I missed my family and my friends. I missed knowing my way round and knowing that I could get home safely at 11.30 at night. I missed many things I barely thought of before, like knowing where to shop, find bargains, eat a bowl of cheap and tasty noodles. Many of these would be a problem in the US, especially if I had to handle them alone.

Sometimes, you can make your own choices in life but they do say life is like a box of chocolates, and you never know which one we will get.* Given a chance to choose one, which would you pick?

Elena Ng, a final year student, is majoring in psychology at the University of Hong Kong.

Freedom at a priceHong Kong people face so much pressure, sometimes forced on them by society and sometimes because they add stress to their lives. Given the option I would not choose it. But leaving all that behind would mean leaving my family and friends, living alone and taking care of myself. Even moving around, getting from the airport, getting to work. It wouldnt be like Hong Kong, famous for its public transport. I couldnt expect that in a big country like the US, even if there were the freedom of the open road to be enjoyed once I had a driving licence.

The crime rate there worries me too. I dont think it would be as safe as Hong KongAnd I wonder if I would fit in. Would the local people want incomers as employees? I also ask myself about speaking their language. Not just formal, business English, but colloquial, American English. The real living language everyone speaks. Without it there is so much more likelihood of misunderstanding.

What about other cultural differences? Foreigners working overseas need to adjust not only to a new country and a new job, but also a whole new cultural and work environment. That means not only flexibility but strength of character.

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The writer left Hong Kong to study in the UK before working there. She too appreciates Hong Kongs best qualities and is making the most of the opportunities it off ers.It was a calm night when I arrived in Hong Kong on the evening of October 8, 2008. The feeling of being back in the place where I grew up was familiar yet distant, especially when I was living the dream in Boston one month prior, working on the implementation of a micro-nutrient programme for children in rural Tanzania. I was surrounded by experts from Harvard, the Clinton Foundation, as well as high-flying business partners. Still, with one suitcase in tow, I went on my way to my temporary apartment in Mid-Levels. Big city glamour sparkled before my eyes, but the grim reality was - real estate agencies had slashes of red marker pen that suggested property prices had already dropped by 20-30% - I was at the epicentre of the financial crisis.

Hard work and passion for learningIt may seem like a clich if I point out Hong Kongs resilience. But when I look back at the 11 years I have lived in London, Oxford, Cambridge and Boston, I dare not take resilience for granted. One could argue that an elite education accelerated my career progression, allowing me to work across industries and geographical locations. However, ultimately, I learnt that hard work and passion for learning pay off in Hong Kong, where people are both book-smart and street-smart. My mentors and friends inspire me to take the road less travelled, they help me through obstacles, and share my joy.

I could have continued along my path as a consultant in the West, but I traded comfort for new experiences. As a result, I had rejections from Hong Kong employers back then, saying, We love you, and in better times we would have hired you on the spot, but. Fortunately, it only lasted a month. It was on my birthday in November that I was offered a post managing a business development portfolio in non-invasive pre-natal diagnosis at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Responsibility for making a di erencePrivileges, if anything, give people a sense of responsibility to make a difference. Between 2011 and 2013, I took up the role of University Development Manager at the Oxford Hong Kong Office. In the morning, I could be organizing a fundraising event with the Chancellor of the University of Oxford, Lord Chris Patten.

Room to flourishby Mimi Mo

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In the afternoon, I might have been realizing a young persons dream to go abroad. I met donors who did not just have the heart to do good, but had the pragmatic mind-set to make charitable work sustainable through good business practice. Where else in the world would you find such close-knit social circles and the upward mobility that Hong Kong offers?

There are countless things I could list that represent the uniqueness of Hong Kong: how it allows talented people to flourish is certainly one example. But to quote President John F. Kennedy,

Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country. There are no Thats easy for you to say excuses. We can all contribute to the reasons why Hong Kong is so special.

In the past fi ve years, Hongkongers with more than US$1 million in investable assets grew by 27% annually. This is by far the fastest growth in the world. A good sign for young entrepreneurs-to-be like this writer.

Open doorsby Jessica Chan

Mimi

Dr Mimi Mo went to St Pauls Co-educational College in Hong Kong and did biochemistry at Imperial College London before a doctorate in neuroscience at Oxford. She currently works for GlaxoSmithKline and is a columnist for the Hong Kong Economic Journal.

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For me, a locally-born and brought up young person who wants to be an entrepreneur, the fact that the number of Hong Kongs millionaires has doubled in the last five years is very encouraging. It shows what great opportunities are available here at home. Whatever your business product, the market is growing and has higher spending and investing power than ever. It is an ideal time and place for youth to explore their potential. Doors of opportunity are open for them to realize their dreams and join the circle of wealth growth.

Through entrepreneurship, supported by government schemes, one can transform dreams into successful business ventures. There are well-known local programmes to help, such as those at the Cyberport Entrepreneurship Centre and at HKFYG's Youth Business Hong Kong. In a broader sense, my generation, growing up to be citizens of the world, can and should create dream careers, careers that induce change, in and across cities and continents.

Elements of advantageThis is possible largely thanks to communications technology and social networks, available 24/ 7. Hong Kongs telecommunications rank with the top tier in the world, with mobile and data networks available in trains, and wifi hotspots even on buses. Combined with our advantageous time zone, these mean we can conduct round- the- clock business, bridging Asia, the US and Europe.

From a risk management angle, entrepreneurship in Hong Kong is a life-long sustainable option. It facilitates long-term strategies, even for post-retirement years when we will all need a sustainable passive income. As an entrepreneur, I will be able to establish a system which will yield such an income when my business matures. This concept will be based on a culture of established team enterprise.

For entrepreneurship to work in the personal sphere, it must be possible for individuals to strike a work-life balance and that requires the flexibility to set your own work schedule and location. Again, Hong Kong allows

for this. The close proximity of family and friends, and an excellent public transport network mean that one can seize precious moments to spend with them, especially to take good care of seniors who have nurtured us.

All the right elements are in place here and so I think it is time for me to start up in business myself. I think I will also be able to relax and enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and windsurfing in Hong Kong. The size of the city, its natural environment and the close proximity of country parks and the sea mean there can be a seamless blend of personal priorities and the entrepreneur lifestyle.

Only a place like Hong Kong could give me all of this.

Jessica5

Jessica Chan is an Information Technology Project Manager for a large financial corporation. She completed her Bachelor of Science at the University of Hong Kong in

1999.

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p Author rowing for the Hong Kong team

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Born in Pakistan in 1965, an accident in his 20s left the writer a paraplegic. His subsequent life journey brought him to Hong Kong, where business success was followed by sporting success. The next steps took him to the Hong Kong paralympic rowing team.

Here for good by Ajmal Samuel

You can feel the energy and life of this city the moment you touch down here. I think that is what got me back on my feet psychologically. I arrived from Europe in 1991 where I graduated from The University of Dusseldorf and, even early on, I decided to make Hong Kong my home. It was so easy to get around, life could be spontaneous. I had mobility and freedom again.

A new lease of lifeEverything here moves so fast and that has helped me focus on life instead of disability. I really feel I can lead a normal life here though I cant say life has been straightforward. In fact, I have been riding a roller-coaster. Hong Kong is challenging. It was very tough in the beginning and looking back, I know how important the people looking after me and mentoring me were, always accessible at the end of a phone line.

Another quality of this city is its flexibility. It allows one to re-invent oneself, just like Hong Kong. So I have changed with it, getting my first job after my military career in Pakistan in the technology sector. Then I started my own business, grasping the opportunities Hong Kong gave me so generously. In a place like this you can regain self-confidence, and it was the same with sport. Getting fit enough to do triathlons and marathons gave me a new lease of life. And then came the rowing.

I cant imagine any other place where it could happen like this. I joined a dragon boat team, already very strong in my upper body. Then the trainer asked me if I had tried single scull rowing. Soon afterwards I was spotted training on the Shing Mun River, and the national coach asked me to join the national squad. If Id ever had any doubts, they evaporated at that moment.

by Elaine MorganEast, west, home's best

Ajmal Samuel, now in his 40s, is former President of Cityline (HK) Ltd, founder and CEO of OCTO3, a financial technology service provider. He will be representing Hong Kong as a rower at the Incheon 2014 Asian Para Games in October 2014.

p View from the country park to North Point, HKFYG Building and harbour

Ive been a Hongkonger for 40 years. Its where I now belong.Most mornings I walk to HKFYG. In the first half hour,I climb from the dense tower blocks of old Tai Hang up towild hills, lush greenery and peace. Often, the only soundsare water gushing in streams, birdsong and wind in thetrees. How lucky we are to have such places.

Then down, past the rhythmic swish of the Chinese fandancers and the chatter of schoolgirls, into the urban jungleof buses, trams and jack hammers. There, big city bustle andhaste are balanced by continuity, friends and colleagues. Noise and dirt come with buzz and variety. Jostle and hustle are sideby side with patience and pragmatism.

Todays doubts about the future come with yearning for change.I admire those who have the courage of their convictionsand stand up for their rights. Hong Kong people, aware of theiridentity, expect self-determination, and make sure the worldknows it. This is a city that welcomes difference and deserves integrity. There is nowhere else like it. Its home.

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Hong Kong has always been good to me and when I joined the squad my fate was sealed. I had applied for an HKSAR passport a little before that. As a businessman I knew it would build my network like nothing else could. But the squad needed me to be Chinese and that did it. Now I have lived in Hong Kong longer than anywhere else in the world. Now I know I am here for good. This is where I belong.

Passport for the OlympicsAttitudes have changed a lot. When I was in Hangzhou for the China national rowing championships this summer, I had to convince my fellow competitors from other provinces that this foreign looking fellow was really Chinese, just like them. They looked at me in disbelief, but my team mates backed me up. Hes Cantonese! Just like us, they said. And when I come back through Immigration, even though Im not fluent in Cantonese, Im addressed by my Chinese name ( ) at the border. The officials say with a smile, Welcome back!

Flying back after a business trip its wonderful to see the outlying islands spread beneath me and I relish in the prospect of training there, so close to my work in the glittering city nearby. The moment the plane touches down I know I can relax again. Im on safe ground. Im home.

Ajmal

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Young people of all ages have told us what they value most in Hong Kong, what qualities they most admire in its people, and what concerns them most. A representative group write here about the essential culture of the place where they live.

Values sharedconcerns aired

Politically, because Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region, its citizens can enjoy many freedoms, its Legislative Council has a strong voice and its government respects human rights. Everybody has a say, and decisions can be made which balance the interests of various stakeholders.

Culturally, Hong Kong is like a bottle of aged yet refreshing wine. It is a balanced blend, conserving Chinese traditions while being open to new cultures from other countries.

Economically, Hong Kong is outstanding. It is the worlds freest economy, government intervention is slight, and the minimum wage now protects workers rights.

Perfection is rarely achieved in any human society but by preserving neutrality we can minimize our shortcomings and maintain a rare and precious balance.

Lin Kristy, 16Belilios Public School

Neutrality, vision and balance

Our home city is spoken of as a hybrid of western and eastern cultures but little attention is paid to international issues. Instead, young people here look inwards, to grades, assignments and tutorials. The mainland issue is the elephant in the room for many Hong Kong people and I think as a result they lack global vision, especially teenagers. By looking outwards more they could break out of the box that is hemming them in, hiding the treasure beyond our borders, and blurring our image as the Pearl of the Orient.

Ernest Chau, 19Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

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Poverty and inequality

Work, luck and location

There are many tourist attractions in Hong Kong. People come from all over the world to visit them. But there are also places like the dawn market. I talked to an elderly lady there. She is 81 years old. She told me that she still picks up second-hand items that other people have thrown away. She sells them for a dollar or two. A tear rolled down my face for every word she said. She told me that she had three daughters, but none of them take care of her.

Of course Im not saying that Im proud about the inequalities in Hong Kong, but I am very proud of everyone, like that old lady, who actually tries their best to earn a living, no matter how hard it is, instead of asking the government for money. They are very grateful for what they have, not like kids nowadays who have everything and still demand more.

I wish everyone could learn from that old ladys attitude.

Money cant buy everything.

People often believe that success has a great deal to do with luck, but I beg to differ. Success is 95% hard work and only 5% luck, much like Hong Kongs journey to success.

It can be traced back to the communitys strong work ethic. People here are passionate about contributing to our economy and against the idea of mere welfarism. Workaholics, arent we?

The Hong Kong government also gives opportunities to people to make the most out of their lives, whether at school, at work or in retirement.

The luck part is our location, on the South China Sea coast, perfect as a trading hub. Now, as the world does business with the mainland, the city benefits, as it does from business professionals from across the globe, willing to bring in new ideas and provoke our inner east Asian tiger to roar even louder.

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Joy Pamnani, 15Po Leung Kuk Ngan Po Ling College

Christy Chu, 16Yew Chung International School

Youth Hong Kong

Youth speak September 2014 |

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Freedom of speech

Hong Kong is a city that emphasizes freedom of speech and a wide range of opinions are expressed here. Many groups fight to protect their interests and yet, thinking positively, I believe that todays divisions allow differences in opinion to come to the surface and do not necessarily result in confusion. Even in todays divided community, fairness can be achieved by policymakers, problems can be resolved and respect can be shown to all major stakeholders. However, this is only possible if freedom of speech is maintained.

Of all Hong Kongs icons I treasure freedom of press most of all. Journalists are responsible for representing differing perspectives and for reflecting accurately personal opinions conveyed to them. This includes publishing views of stakeholders who question official decisions and are concerned about social injustice. It is a means of bringing pressure to bear on decision-makers in order to benefit the majority rather than minority vested interests.

Hongkonger was one of the new words recently added to the Oxford English Dictionary. For me, and many people in Hong Kong, it means that we have finally won recognition. We have fought for our own identity and the fight continues. We have our own unique culture and politics, and it is not the same as that of mainlanders. We are proud to be Hongkongers and by joining protests we do not mean to cause trouble. Rather, we want to maintain harmony. This is what Hong Kong needs despite the recent divisions in our community. Only with harmony can there be peace of mind.

A group of secondary students who are willing to speak out have formed a political society called Scholarism. They are involved in various political issues and demonstrations. As members of the younger generation, they are not like all those who focus only on their smartphones. Instead, they give voice to their views and in this I think they want to represent todays teenagers.

Ivy Ho, Year 2BBA, HKUST

Kevin Li Ho-lam, 16 Li Po Chun United World College

Gigi Chau, 23Account Executive

Pansy Tam, Year 2HKBU

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Youth Hong Kong

Youth speak| September 2014

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Talking about home

Joey, a 23-year old student, says, I value Hong Kongs freedoms, its multiculturalism and the rule of law above everything. Thats why I want to stay here, but I think most Hong Kong people focus on money and economic development.

His friend, Mark, also in his 20s, agreed. I would add our natural environment. Its beautiful in Hong Kongs countryside! But for me, the high cost of living and widening poverty gap are serious concerns. People here only look at the short term.

Winston, an accountant aged 30 heading for an evening class, focused on the economy and development issues. Developer hegemony and monopolies are the worst problem in our home city. With Hong Kongs focus on service industries, more people think of setting up in business, but small companies cannot compete fairly and employment opportunities are narrowing.

Natalie, on the other hand, had just got married. Caught in the rush hour on her way home, she didnt stop for long. Long working hours seriously affect our home life. Theres no time to enjoy there. Im always in a hurry!

Maggie was also concerned. I think we are living through very difficult times. Views are polarized in many ways and normal people with good jobs, who call Hong Kong their home, cannot even afford to buy a flat.

Jodie echoed Natalie, but as a student she did not feel so harassed. Hongkongers are famous for their pace. They do everything at top speed. Students rush to school while workers rush to work. Even having afternoon tea, which should be relaxing, is done at a rush. More quantity, less quality. Why? Are we all just used to it? If only people in this lovely city could slow down a bit. We would all enjoy life more.

Ken, an executive officer on his way to a concert, said, Few take culture, heritage or the arts here seriously. Even the remaining farm land is under threat in the Northeast New Territories, All people think of is flats, flats, flats.

Overhearing him, Andy, a colleague commented, But we have a free society and everyone is willing to work more for the sake of success, whatever their age. Our home citys best qualities are its hard-working people.

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Passers-by in an MTR station tell Youth Hong Kong their views.

Youth Hong Kong

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Youth Hong Kong

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Having their Here we take a look at how youth view their countries. Are they happy about their work, the state of their nations, and how they see their future? This

article explores surveys which include factors such as confi dence, work, voting and the future including having children of their own.

Australia

confident but worried about discrimination

78% of Australians are confident of a good future and 63% feel their countrys future is bright. 54% think earning a lot of money is important for a good life, 52% were satisfied with their work, 25% value their jobs social impact, but only 5% think a good job entails prestigious status.1* 25% of 15-19 year-olds thought there were insufficient job opportunities in their community and 50% thought they would have to look elsewhere for work.2Young women ranked equity and discrimination as the top issue facing the country, indicating concerns about workplace discrimination, racism and inequality. Voting is compulsory in Australia, yet Australian Electoral Commission statistics show 25% of young voters failed to enrol for the 2013 federal election.3

A 2012 survey found 67% of under 30s want to get married and 55% of all singles feel they are expected to have children. 35% of the surveyed singles would have a child before marriage.4

India optimistic and determined

Surveys reveal that young Indians are some of the worlds most contented, with 90% sure they will do well in the future, 83% confident in their countrys future and 84% satisfied with the age in which they live.* 60% of young Indians hope to earn a lot of money in the next 15 years and 41% rate money as important to a good life. A better wage takes precedence over career opportunity and status matters, with 27% wanting to be managers or leaders. 97% of young Indians see their jobs as an important factor in their identity. About 80% voted in the 2014 election, and about 83% wanted a change of government.5 74% think the country is becoming more violent and they also worry about corruption. Only 13% want to start a family. Being famous rates higher (27%) than getting a degree (16%) or having children (24%).

sayby Virginia Addison

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Japan pessimistic but enfranchised

Only 24% of Japanese youth expect their country to thrive in future and 75% were dissatisfied with it. 51% were also unhappy with their own lives.* 60% did not like their work, but 32%6 thought they would have a good job in the future although competition is fierce. Survey responses from almost 250 university and vocational school graduates indicated a high level of distrust of Japanese firms and society. Nevertheless, another survey found that 57% of young workers did not want to work overseas.7 Far fewer young people exercise their right to vote in Japan than they do in either India or Malaysia. In 2012, only 47% of all young people voted in the general election.8 Only 6.5% of high school students believed that they could change society by participating. Young people are bound by strict social codes and only around 2% of babies are born outside marriage.9 Official figures for women in their early 20s indicate that 25% may never marry and 40% may remain childless.10

Mainland China positive and persistent

The majority of young Chinese (82%) think their country has a bright future and 84% feel it will play a more important role in the world.* 40% say a good life is predicated on feeling free. The goals of two-thirds of youth for the next 15 years are to earn a lot of money and to own a house or flat. 40% also want to own their own company. 44% of 18-21 year-olds and 48% of 22-31 year olds think democracy is a good thing, but over 50% of the younger age group and 47% of the older said they could not generalize and their opinion would depend on whether Chinas current conditions were appropriate, according to a 2013 study from a state think tank, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.11 Around 56% of mainland Chinese polled wanted to have a second child, according to a 2014 online survey conducted by the Southern Metropolis Daily. 12% said they did not want any children.12

1. http://www.fondapol.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/2011-World-Youths.pdf

2. https://www.missionaustralia.com.au/what-we-do-to-help-new/young-people/understanding-young-people/annual-youth-survey

3. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-21/figures-show-25-per-cent-of-young-people-failed-to-enrol-to-vote/4903292

4. http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life/who-wants-to-get-married-20120808-23tmd.html

5. http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2014/02/our-poll-young-indians

6. http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20140117150414228

7. http://www.japantoday.com/category/lifestyle/view/why-do-so-few-young-japanese-want-to-work-overseas

8. https://storify.com/LinkAsiaNews/japan-youth-politics

9. http://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2014/07/economist-explains-16

10. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/20/young-people-japan-stopped-having-sex

11. http://www.theatlantic.com/china/archive/2013/07/young-chinese-people-may-just-not-be-that-into-western-style-democracy/277885/

12. http://www.scmp.com/news/china-insider/article/1294421/most-chinese-want-have-second-child-says-survey

Sources *Note Source number 1 provides information for more than one country, as asterisked.

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Malaysia disempowered but vocal

A 2012 nationwide survey13 found that 58% think the country is moving in the right direction, although inflation, the general economic situation, crime, unemployment and corruption in the government are top issues. While unemployment concerns some, 73% say the real issue with the employment situation is not getting a job, but getting one they like. Only 17% of the total number of respondents wanted to work outside Malaysia, with most being in the younger age bracket. Socially and politically, youth perceive themselves as under-empowered to act. Only 39% say they can make a difference in solving problems within their communities. In terms of their perceived influence on the government, 41% said they could influence how government works. However, in the 2013 election the voter turnout for first-time, young voters was 83%.14

Women are having fewer children, with figures falling from three children per woman in 2000 to 2.1 in 2012. In a 2012 survey, 50.9% of Chinese women surveyed said no to having children or, for those who were mothers already, to having more.15

Singapore

proud of home but looking elsewhere

74% of young people say that they are proud of their country but six in 10 consider looking beyond Singapore to achieve their dreams.16 A survey by Credit Suisse17 showed that many of them worried about unemployment, inflation and the high cost of living. More than 66% say the presence of foreigners in the city-state is causing problems such as increasing housing prices and competition for jobs. 39% would not vote if voting were not compulsory. About one in four young voters polled feel that they want to, but have little say in government policies and decision-making, despite wanting to, according to a 2011 survey of 21-35 year-olds.18 Top priorities are an affordable place to live, a society that defines success beyond academic and material achievements, and a more fulfilling pace of life. Only 3% put having children top of their wish list.

20. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/overqualified-and-underemployed-britain-faces-youth-talent-crisis-as-new-figures-reveal-more-than-a-million-young-people-working-menial-jobs-9198044.html

21. http://www.graduates.co.uk/graduate-employment-rates/

22. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/shocking-poll-shows-60-young-3501186

23. http://www.statista.com/statistics/293734/influence-of-family-on-future-happiness-of-young-people-great-britain/

24. http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/macquarieyouthindex/index.html

25. http://mckinseyonsociety.com/downloads/reports/Education/UXC001%20Voice%20of%20the%20Graduate%20v7.pdf

26. http://www.yda.org/resources/youth-vote-statistics/

27. http://www.gallup.com/poll/164618/desire-children-norm.aspx

13. http://asiafoundation.org/news/2012/12/the-asia-foundation-launches-the-youth-factor-2012-survey-of-malaysian-youth-opinion/

14. http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/the-general-election-surprise-younger-malays-too-went-to-barisan

15. http://www.theheat.my/Article.aspx?ArticleId=1676

16. http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/six-10-young-singaporeans-have-considered-leaving-the-country-fulfill--#sthash.Ajs7i43S.dpuf

17. https://www.credit-suisse.com/ch/en/news-and-expertise/publications/bulletin/barometer/youth-barometer.html

18. http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20110330-270945.html

19. http://www.economist.com/news/britain/21578666-britains-youth-are-not-just-more-liberal-their-elders-they-are-also-more-liberal-any

Sources cont'd

National Floral EmblemsAustralia Golden wattleby Tatters https://www.fl ickr.com/photos/tgerus/4140035349

India Lotus Nelumno nuciferaby Peripitus http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_symbols_of_India#mediaviewer/File:Nelumno_nucifera_open_fl ower_-_botanic_garden_adelaide2.jpg

Japan Cherry blossom (picture courtesy of author)

Mainland China Tree peony Paeonia suffruticosaby Invertzoo http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tree_peony,_Queens,_NYC.JPG#mediaviewer/File:Tree_peony,_Queens,_NYC.JPG

Malaysia Chinese hibiscusby Cristbal Alvarado Minic https://www.fl ickr.com/photos/ctam/2844372063

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United Kingdom

discontented and discouraged

Britons aged 18-24 are more likely than older people to consider social problems the responsibility of individuals rather than government.19 74% of young people are optimistic about their future, but only 34% feel the same about their country.* Nearly 1.3 million 16-24 year-olds are out of work and another 1.2 million are underemployed or overqualified.20 The average full-time employment rate for graduates for 2011-2012 was 55.1%.21 Over 40% believe the economy is one of the biggest issues facing the country and are concerned about unemployment.22 Nevertheless, 60% say they will not vote in the 2015 general election. 31% of 16-24-year-olds said the biggest influence on their future happiness was their family and 80% of 18-34 year-olds say they would consider having a family before getting married.23 Disquietingly, in a recent survey of over 2,000 16-25-year-olds, 9% said they had nothing to live for.24

United States

ambivalent but hopeful

One in three graduates did not feel college had prepared them well for the world of work but 76% were sure they would have a good job in the future and 53% hoped to earn a lot of money. Unemployment was a worry, but 66% wanted to try new things and, for 62%, exploring the world outdid pursuing a career.25 50% of eligible young voters cast a ballot in the 2012 election.26 In 2013, nearly 75% felt the political system needed some sort of fundamental reform. 33% of young Americans had a rather bleak view of their societys future, according to the Credit Suisse survey, although other statistics revealed that 81% thought their personal future was bright and 87% thought they had the power to change society through their actions.* More than half of Americans aged 18-40 have children. 40% have none yet but hope to one day. Only 6% neither have nor want children.27

Singapore Orchid Vanda Miss Joaquimby MaX Fulcher https://www.fl ickr.com/photos/maxful/11302326975

UK Tudor rose, Scottish thistle, daffodil, shamrockTudor rose http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tudor_Rose.svg

Scottish thistle by Lyn Jardine https://www.fl ickr.com/photos/lynjardine/5978488416

Da odil by Christine Majul https://www.fl ickr.com/photos/kitkaphotogirl/4449964450

shamrock by Ruthandave https://www.fl ickr.com/photos/ruthanddave/13414933284, thistle, shamrock

US Rosehttps://www.fl ickr.com/photos/crabchick/5608389064

Britain, Australia, the US and Canada were the most popular destinations for Hong Kong people who sought homes abroad around the time of the handover and Doris Lams family was among the migrants who chose to go to Vancouver, although their decision had nothing to do with 1997 according to her mother, Mrs Lam. We emigrated in 1998, after the handover. We had few concerns about the mainland government ruling Hong Kong. The move was for the family to experience life in a foreign country.

Doris was only two years old when she moved from Hong Kong to Canada. She was too young to have formed lasting impressions of the city where she was born and she easily became accustomed to life in Canada. It was less easy for her mother, who had to quit her job to become a full-time housewife. One

thing that my mother disliked about living in Canada was that she had to travel a long way to get things done. My mother did not like driving a car, but in Canada she had to drive every day to shop and take me to school. It was not like Hong Kong, where shops are nearby. That was tough on her, Doris says.

Doris attended a local school in Canada with limited access to Chinese, so her parents made sure that she learned her mother tongue by sending her to classes. Every weekend, I attended Chinese class with many other kids whose families were from Hong Kong. Despite this, my standard of Chinese was way behind that of students in Hong Kong, she admits.

After spending five years in Canada and acquiring Canadian passports, Doriss family decided to return to Hong Kong. We came back because my grandfather was sick. If I had been old enough to choose, I would rather have preferred to stay in Canada, she confesses. I had a hard time adjusting to life in Hong Kong.

Doris returned to Hong Kong after finishing Primary One in Canada. The first hurdle for her parents was finding her a school. She didnt know a lot of Chinese so it wasnt easy to find a school for her, Mrs Lam says.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, many Hong Kong families worried that their way of life and the political environment of Hong Kong would change drastically after the handover to the mainland. Some chose to emigrate. In this contribution from the Education Post, we see what life has been like for them.

Reluctant return

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One thing that my mother disliked about living in Canada

was that she had to travel a long way to get things done. It

was not like Hong Kong.

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We tried applying to a number of local schools, but had no success. Eventually we got her a place at a direct subsidy school St Margaret's Co-educational English Secondary and Primary School, which caters to English-speaking students. We considered ourselves lucky.

Like many students who returned to Hong Kong after education in a western country, Doris had trouble both with her Chinese and with adapting to school life. I cannot tell you how many times I failed my Chinese examinations. Every year before the summer break, I had to take remedial classes when my classmates were enjoying trips to theme parks. I am lucky in that I can take GCSE Chinese, which is easier than DSE Chinese. This will help when applying for local universities.

Now in Secondary Five, Doris still hankers after Canada. It feels weird having to wear school uniform and bow to teachers when we wish them good morning. Also, the air quality in Hong Kong is really bad compared to Canada. I love nature, but I feel so far away from it in Hong Kong. Even when we go on field trips, like visiting the wetland park, I dont think of it as really interacting with nature.

Doris has not enjoyed her return to Hong Kong. She does not like the citys fast pace. In Canada, cars will stop to wait for pedestrians to cross, and people will hold doors open for others, but in Hong Kong people just rush past, never looking behind and letting doors slam in your face, she complains.

Doris will sit the HKDSE next year and then hopes to go back to university in Canada. My preference is to study in Canada because I would love to study creative writing and universities here do not offer much by way of such programmes. I think the education system in Canada suits me better, but I have not made a decision yet because my mother prefers to have me in Hong Kong.

Time will tell whether family ties are stronger for Doris than personal preferences.

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In Canada, cars will stop to wait for pedestrians to cross, and people will hold doors

open for others, but in Hong Kong people just rush past.

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Cathay Pacific, founded in 1946, has grown up with Hong Kong. In the 50s and 60s, it was running early passenger flights to Manila, Bangkok, Singapore and Shanghai. By the late 1970s, the first Boeing 747-200 had arrived here and long-haul flights to London, Europe and North America began.

Many people who call Hong Kong their home have travelled by air to study, work and explore overseas before returning home. They think fondly of the citys iconic, made-in-Hong Kong airline, Cathay Pacific.Bringing us all back home

Then came the handover of Hong Kong to mainland China in 1997. For this Cathay put on its best for the community, dressing up one of their 747s in a special livery, Spirit of Hong Kong. The airline has been one of the citys leaders at times of crisis, joining efforts to get Hong Kong back onto its feet after the SARS epidemic with the We Love Hong Kong campaign.

The next decade saw huge economic growth, greater prosperity for Hong Kong people and many more Hong Kong air travellers. Then came the economically difficult years of the early 90s. It was a troubled time for Hong Kong people too. For some of them, airline travel became synonymous with emigration.

Every city needs a brand name to be proud of and in a year when the community has become polarized, the airline has done our home city proud. Once again in 2014 it was named the Worlds Best Airline.

Youth Hong Kong

Talking point| September 2014

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for

Core valuesSeveral surveys have been run by HKFYG over the years to track changing attitudes and values. When asked what mattered, a 2002 survey revealed that the three most fundamentally held values held were freedom (44%), incorruptibility (35%) and fairness (34%). Two years later, in 2004, a second surveys findings showed that they had most confidence in diligence, the rule of law and once again incorruptibility. Ten years later, when invited to rate their confidence level with respect to the preservation of values, on a scale of 0-100, youths confidence in diligence was rated highest, at 72 points on average, followed by rule of law at 69 points, and incorruptibility at 65 points. Confidence in freedom, justice, respect, equality, fairness and trust were all over 60 points.

T o conclude this section, we look at surveys which explore how Hongkongers feel about their home. They reveal what respondents feel most strongly about, and the special tastes, sights and sounds which they think reflect the citys essence.

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Widespread concernsHowever, today there is widespread concern in the community about the independence of the judiciary and the separation of powers, pillars on which the rule of law rests. In the surveys, 54% said the worsening poverty gap made them feel unhappy and 45% were annoyed by high property prices. Others were concerned about high pressure at work (36%), poor constitutional development (24%), and poor environmental quality (22%).

Outstanding iconsWhich outstanding icons do young people single out as essential symbols of Hong Kong? The results in the 2013 HKFYG Very Hong Kong survey varied widely, from heritage and the harbour, Ocean Park and the Golden Bauhinia, to landmarks, certain public figures, freedom of speech, and the International Finance Centre. Some homely items were typical foods and red-white-blue plastic bags, without which Hong Kong would no longer be the home we know and love.

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Best featuresWhat pleases Hong Kong youth most about their home city? Given a choice of 12 options, Hong Kongs reputation as an eating and shopping paradise came top of the list for 43% in the Very Hong Kong survey. This light-hearted response was followed closely by freedoms. Hong Kongs multi-cultural society, then good public security and infrastructure, the citys trend-setting quality, cosmopolitanism, and civic society, as well as its natural environment, social welfare system and heritage conservation were all well noted.

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Some photos in the issue are from the 2013 HKFYG Very Hong Kong photo competition. Statistics are from HKFYG surveys in 2002, 2004 and 2013. Full details available on request.

Youth Hong Kong

Talking point September 2014 |

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While weekends may see the citys hills filled with hikers, many young Hongkongers are happier holed up inside with their phones or computers, but this behaviour is putting them on the road to a future of ill health and weight problems.

In Hong Kong, many young people suffer from chronic ill health and disabilities because of preventable non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer. In 2011 in Hong Kong, 19% of the cancers reported in the 20-44 age group for men affected the nasopharynx, 11.6% affected the liver. 35.4% of women in the same age group suffered breast cancer.1

Changing our own behaviourAccording to studies by the World Health Organization (WHO), 80% of premature NCDs can be prevented.2 How? By changing our own behaviour. It is not always easy to motivate young people, particularly in a society where parents value academic results more than exercise.

According to the WHO classification for adult Asians, in 2012, 18% of the citys population is overweight, while 19% is obese.3 Being overweight or obese increases the risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes and NCDs. The best way to tackle the problem is with a combination of diet and exercise rather than by diet or exercise alone.4

Revamp your dietThe Hong Kong Behavioral Risk Factor Survey in 2012 found that 82% of adults eat less than the WHOs recommended five servings of fruit and vegetables a day needed to obtain optimal health benefits.5 An unhealthy diet may lead to raised blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol and other conditions linked to obesity and NCDs.

A healthy diet should also include legumes, nuts and grains and minimal amounts of salt, sugar and fats, in particular saturated fats and trans-fatty acids. Some studies have found vegetarian-style eating patterns have been associated with improved health outcomes, such as lower levels of obesity, a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, and lower total mortality.6 Why not have a Green Monday and give up meat one day per week? Tofu is a great item for a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet as it contains complete protein.7 Eggs also supply all essential amino acids and are considered a source of complete protein. Some studies show that a moderate consumption of eggs, up to one a day, does not appear to increase heart disease risk in healthy individuals.8

Fit for life by Kate Yung

If you want to stay healthy, be smarter and live longer you need to start eating right and getting your body moving, according to this fi tness coach who works with young people and her mobile gym.

Youth Hong Kong

34

City space| September 2014

Get movingAlthough HK is a modern metropolis, its natural playgrounds are just around the corner. There are country parks to walk in, pools to swim in, endless sporting clubs to join and the beach for fun. Hong Kong Park in Admiralty and Kowloon Park in Tsim Sha Tsui are excellent outdoor areas where you can join boot camps and work out with your colleagues before or after work.

Sport can help young people increase their self-esteem and become more outgoing. Exercise will also build stronger bodies and better brains, as it enhances childrens neurological development and executive function.9 Exercise helps to improve our cardio-pulmonary function, reduces the risk of NCDs, some cancers, maintains optimum body weight and relieves stress.

So, how much exercise is enough? For adults, WHO recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity throughout the week.10 You may divide it into multiple short bouts of at least 10 minutes if necessary. For adolescents, WHO suggests an accumulation of at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity on a daily basis.11 Muscle strengthening and bone loading exercise, such as jumping, running and turning, should also be included at least three times per week to enhance bone health and to improve body build.

As dangerous as smokingResearchers warn that physical inactivity may be as dangerous for the heart as smoking a packet of cigarettes every day.12 However, most Hongkongers are still not exercising enough, with less than 40% of the population able to meet the WHO recommendation.13 Hong Kong is falling behind other places like England and the US. In 2012, 67% of British men and 55% of British women were able to meet the recommendation.14 In 2011, New York 53.7% of men and 49.4% of women were able to meet the recommendation.15

What is keeping you from exercise? Too little time? Why not use everyday opportunities to get moving? Ditch the lift and climb the stairs, get up 15 minutes earlier in the morning and walk in the park or make use of lunchtime for a city stroll. Too tired? Exercise will boost your energy level by producing endorphins (hormones that give pleasure). If you have trouble keeping up the exercise habit, find a workout partner. In my own experience, exercising with a friend is better than working out alone because the competition motivates you to work harder.

So put down that smartphone and grab a pair of trainers now. Its time to change your ways and get the best out of your life.

Sources

1. http://www3.ha.org.hk/cancereg/Summary%20of%20CanStat%202011.pdf

2. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs317/en/

3. http://www.chp.gov.hk/en/data/1/10/280/1331.html

4. Curioni, CC & Lourenco, PM. Long-term weight loss after diet and exercise: a systematic review. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord, 29(10), 1168-1174, 2005.

5. http://www.chp.gov.hk/en/data/1/10/280/1340.html

6. http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/DietaryGuidelines/2010/PolicyDoc/Chapter5.pdf

7. Cross, AJ. Higher red meat consumption is associated with increased risk of all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality. Evidence Based Nursing, 15(4), 2012.

8. Hu FB et al. A prospective study of egg consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease in men and women. JAMA 281 (15): 138794, 1999.

9. Tomporowski, P et al. Exercise and Childrens Intelligence, Cognition, and Academic Achievement. Ed Psych Rev, 20(2), 111-131, 2008

10. http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/factsheet_adults/en/

11. http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/factsheet_young_people/en/

12. Lee, I et al. Effect of physical inactivity on major non-communicable diseases worldwide: an analysis of burden of disease and life expectancy. The Lancet, 380(9838), 219-229,

13. http://www.chp.gov.hk/en/data/1/10/280/1341.html

14. http://www.hscic.gov.uk/catalogue/PUB13218/HSE2012-Ch2-Phys-act-adults.pdf

15. http://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/brfss/reports/docs/1309_brfss_physical_activity.pdf

Kate Yung is a final year BSc physiotherapy student at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, founder of Playfit and the 2014 PolyU Micro Fund Awardee. Playfit is the first mobile gym in Hong Kong with support in sports medicine. It offers fitness training at customers preferred location.

www.playfi t.asiakate@playfi t.asia https://www.facebook.com/HKPlayfi t

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Youth Hong Kong

City space September 2014 |

Outdoor air quality in Hong Kong is deteriorating despite government incentives such as grants for LPG cars and fines for leaving engines idling. Where do the air pollutants come from, how do they affect health and how might we solve the air pollution problem?

Pollution in Hong Kong has various sources including electricity generation and vehicles of all kinds: road, air and sea. It gets worse in winter when northerly winds bring smog from the Pearl River Delta, and better in summer when prevailing winds are from the South China Sea.

Two major challenges for the Hong Kong government are the local street-level pollution and regional smog. Throughout 2013, very high readings were recorded in the Air Pollution Index (API). They are particularly bad in the busiest parts of the city when vehicles are at their densest: Central, Causeway Bay and Mong Kok (see Figure 1).

In December 2013, the Environmental Protection Department replaced the API with a new Air Quality Health Index (AQI) which measures the health risks of air pollution by analyzing the three-hour average concentrations of four major pollutants ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5). Real-time readings are online.1 Similar measurements are used in other cities such as Singapore, Vancouver and Shanghai.2

Harm to healthWhere particulate matter is concerned, the smaller the particle, the