THIS YEAR'S Hong Kong Public Policy Innovation Award had one simple goal: to help young people understand that they, too, have a role to play when it comes to formulating public policies.
Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth and the Hong Kong Policy Research Institute, the competition received entries from 78 teams, with a total of 305 participants aged 16 to 34.
Participants were asked to select a topic from five set by the organisers - population, economics, city planning, information and digital entertainment, and medical, food and hygiene. Each team was required to do research and analysis and come up with suggestions for the formulation of public policies.
Capturing first place in the secondary school group was Heung To Middle School, whose project focused on exploring new horizons for the exhibition and convention industry.
The youth open group was won by SJ Group, whose project was entitled 'Flow of Knowledge - The Missing Link in the Current HKSAR Innovation Policy'.
In addition to the top three teams, there were three merit awards in each category, along with awards for the most innovative report, the best teamwork, the most outstanding reporting, and the most outstanding presentation.