Three hundred and fifty students took part in the conference.

'We collected information on discussion topics such as war, human rights, economics, politics and technology before we left,' seventh former Sze-kan said. The commerce student was interested in the environment and said she read Time magazine and surfed the Internet looking for information on the subject.

Yat-sing, a Form Six science student, said he enjoyed the Global Summit most.

'The participants were divid ed up to represent 18 countries. I represented Israel, and Sze-kan and Pui-ming represented China and South Africa, respectively,' he said.

They discussed various topics including foreign aid, Aids, the drug trade and nuclear proliferation in the Conference Room of United Nations headquarters.

'The role play made me realise that countries have to work closely together to solve global problems,' Yat-sing said.

Arts student Pui-ming came down with a fever during the trip.

'I felt touched by my American roommate. She was concerned about me and took care of me while I was ill,' the seventh former said.

However, Yat-sing had a different view of Americans as he found his roommate selfish and inconsiderate. 'Americans are too aloof and independent,' he said.

The students also attended forums and visited different embassies. All three were impressed by the forum on human rights, hosted by Hafsat Abiola, daughter of slain Nigerian President Mashoud Abiola.

They were shocked to learn that Ms Abiola's father won the presidential election but spent the rest of his life in solitary confinement. He was incarcerated by the military and died in prison on the eve of his release.

Ms Abiola's mother, a pro-democracy leader who organised strikes and protests and fought against the military, was assassinated.

'People in other countries are fighting for freedom and justice, while Hong Kong youths are preoccupied with entertaining themselves and playing TV games,' Yat-sing said.

Sze-kan said Hong Kong students lacked knowledge of international affairs, probably because of the limited curriculum under the exam-oriented education system.

'Educational programmes such as this youth conference help to raise students' awareness of international affairs,' Sze-kan said.

'We may not be able to do much but at least we can develop a critical mind and think about people in other parts of the world.' 'A country could become stronger if its people were aware of and concerned with local and international affairs,' Yat-sing added.

Zero is a summer intern from Hong Kong Shue Yan College