Each of the winners received an award and a cash prize of $2,000 at the presentation ceremony.

Lo Ying-man, co-ordinator for the Baptist Oi Kwan volunteer group, attributed their success to sympathetic and efficient team work.

'We have learnt to care deeply for AIDS victims as we widen our knowledge on the issue,' Ying-man said.

Their project reached about 700 people in Hong Kong through street theatre, exhibitions and questionnaires.

Guest of honour Eric Li Ka-cheung told the guests at the prize presentation that the projects showed just how deeply involved in the AIDS issue young people could be if they had the right encouragement.

'Projects like these not only enhance their awareness about AIDS, but also train them in other areas, like leadership and communication,' he said.

Billy Ho Chi-on, the working group convenor, said the aim of the scheme was to raise young people's awareness of AIDS and its social implications.

'We wanted young people to band together and organise educational projects and related activities,' he said.

Under the scheme, secondary schools and youth centres began sending in project proposals from the middle of 1995.

Sixteen projects were chosen, and each received a cash sponsorship to hold a variety of innovative AIDS education programmes from July to December last year.

Projects included drama shows, exhibitions, street performances, camps, fun fairs, get-togethers, slogan competitions, seminars, workshops, and the making of posters, 'caring cards', and other AIDS education resource materials.

The winning projects were judged on fulfilment of objectives, degree of innovation, extent of youth and community involvement, skills in undertaking the project, and optimum use of resources.

Exhibition panels were set up at various venues to show the groups' multi-faceted approach to publicise the AIDS campaign.