Youngsters are capable of being involved in policy-making and should be given more opportunities to do so.
This was the message from a mock Legislative Council debate held last weekend, the final session of Youth in the Legco Basic Certificate Course for Young Community Leaders, organised by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups. The two-month course, now in its second year, aims at enhancing young people's understanding of the policy formation process and social issues, their analytical and public speaking skills, and give them a channel to air their views.
Sixty youngsters between the age of 16 and 24 took part in workshops and case studies on skills in research, analysis and debate before they sat in the Council Chamber of Hong Kong Institute of Education to role-play as legislators and bureau secretaries.
Legislators and experts on public speaking were invited to chair the sessions and offer advice.
'Throughout our discussion on unemployed youth we have never questioned what they really want,' said Dominic Fok Wai-pong. 'They have different goals. Instead of pushing them into getting jobs, perhaps they need assistance in returning to school.'
Nikita Chiu Sze-wai, a first-year associate degree student at Baptist University, blamed the bandwagon effect.
