Meeting with students in Yuen Long District

The annual summer internship programme organised by the Hong Kong Coalition of Professional Services was launched today. Being held for the fifth consecutive year, the programme has the participation of 177 Secondary 5 students from schools in Yuen Long District this year.

The programme was first conceived six years ago. At that time, a spate of incidents had happened in Tin Shui Wai, causing grave public concern. After discussion with the Yuen Long District Secondary School Heads Association, I decided to organise a summer internship programme for Secondary 5 students in Yuen Long District so that the students could expand their horizons through placement in professional firms.
After the first internship programme, I invited the participants to share their experiences with the press. One student said, "He (the barrister who guided him) is a human being, and so am I. If he can make it, so can I." Even now, I am still deeply touched by his words.

This is the attitude that young people should have. At today's ceremony, I said to the students present, "As an old Chinese saying goes, 'A man is not born to greatness, but he achieves it through self-improvement.' As Hong Kong emphasises gender equality, I had better amend it a little bit. I say, 'People are not born to greatness, but they achieve it through self-improvement, especially in their youth.'"

While youths should make earnest efforts to attain their goals, the community should also give them the opportunities to do so and the Government should support them with effective policies. I believe that our younger generation can achieve better development if they are provided with more opportunities, such as internships.

Internships are in short supply. Some influential people may easily get internships for their children by making just a couple of phone calls, but most parents are not so influential. I appeal to you all to help our young students by offering them opportunities. Although you may not be able to do so this summer, you may make early arrangements for next year. The Government can also play a more active role in this aspect. What do you think?

June 22, 2013