Opinion | Hong Kong’s blueprint for youth development has plenty of ambition but lacks hope

The newly unveiled plan – the result of extensive consultation – covers everything from affordable housing to cultural exchanges for young people

What remains to be seen is whether the measures can resolve the crisis of confidence many youngsters are experiencing

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Students walk through the University of Hong Kong on December 20, 2022, the day the government released its first youth development blueprint. Photo: Dickson Lee

Published: 8:15am, 9 Jan 2023

In politics and in life, timing is everything. Unfortunately for the government, the youth development blueprint was released right after the World Cup in Qatar and just as news of Beijing’s easing of restrictions quickly morphed into national plans for a very dynamic reopening.

There’s no competing with Lionel Messi, whose Instagram post celebrating Argentina’s victory became the most-liked in the platform’s history, or the news of the mainland’s great reopening. But, by launching the blueprint, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu can cross one item – “83. Issue the first edition of the Youth Development Blueprint before end‐2022” – off the list of key performance indicators that he set for his team in his maiden policy address.

Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen released the blueprint in the nick of time, 11 days “before end-2022”. Just two days later, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong released the government’s blueprint for innovation and technology development. Perhaps this second document can be used as extra credit.

While it’s lovely to be reminded of school days, it makes one wonder: why the mad dash to turn in “homework”? Overwhelming the public with blueprints isn’t conducive to public engagement and participation. Still, when it comes to focusing on young people, it’s never too early and never too late.

The youth development blueprint is ambitious, covering a wide range of policies, and as some have pointed out, the 160 actions and measures do touch on issues faced by young people in their many stages – beyond school days – and attempt to broaden their career prospects. The plan recognises that young people are shut out of the housing market and it certainly gives identity top billing.

Alice Mak, secretary for home and youth affairs, attends a press conference to discuss the youth blueprint on December 20, 2022. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

While we should appreciate that the blueprint is the culmination of a process that involved conducting 170 consultation sessions and sifting through over 190 written submissions from stakeholders, it should not be lost on us that many of the items relate to “continuing” measures that are already in place.

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