People often ask me, what is the key issue facing young people in Hong Kong nowadays? There is no easy answer. To some, better education and job creation should rank high among the government’s priorities, but to others, creating space for civic participation is equally, if not more, important.

Historically, measures pertaining to youth – what I call “youth policies” – in Hong Kong have been the responsibility of governmental departments and non-governmental actors. These measures address the immediate, short-term needs of young people across different areas, but there has never been a central guiding principle for youth development. The 1980s saw an attempt to introduce a “youth policy” to consolidate efforts and offer an over-arching long-term vision. But it did not come to fruition.

20th anniversary of Hong Kong handover to focus on city’s youth

Having a youth policy is significant for several reasons. First, it shows the young what they can expect from the government, and makes visible its commitment to youth development. Second, it introduces a “youth perspective”, so that all actors can consider their action’s impact on youth, which helps to prevent duplication of efforts and maximise the impact of youth support measures. Third, such a policy provides a basis for impact assessment and is a tool for identifying best practices and knowledge gaps.