Search on for 'spirit' ambassadors
Wanted: inspirational people who can instil Hong Kong's famous spirit in our young generation.
The Hong Kong Spirit Ambassadors Programme has appealed for the public to nominate individuals who can inspire the young to have a positive outlook on life.
The Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies at Chinese University was commissioned to identify attributes of Hong Kong spirit.
More than a thousand respondents rated statements over the phone, and the three most representative attributes were proactive attitude, adaptability and persistence.
But 65.7 per cent felt Hongkongers were not as persistent as in the past, and 61.5 per cent thought they were less optimistic.
The chairman of the programme, Sir Ti-liang Yang, said: 'Hong Kong people persisted and worked hard for their dreams in the past few decades. Young people are the future. They need to sustain this.'
A panel of seven judges will select five to 10 ambassadors by August. Judges include the chairman of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, Bernard Chan, and the executive director of the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, Rosanna Wong Yick-ming.
Nominees have to be residents aged 16 to 40. Judges will look at criteria including life experience, integrity and a sense of mission.
Programme convenor Lau Ming-wai said selection was not restricted to people of any particular background or status. Ambassadors will visit places like secondary schools and community centres to inspire others with their stories.
