The Commission on Youth was established in 1990. Its main objectives are to advise on matters pertaining to youth, initiate studies and research, promote cooperation and improvement in the provision of youth services and serve as a liaison point with other international youth organisations for exchange programmes.

    Expressing concern that 90 000 young people in Hong Kong were unemployed and unable to pursue further studies, the Chief Executive asked the commission in July to develop a plan to provide the young people with pluralistic options in terms of both training and employment opportunities. The commission submitted a preliminary report to the Chief Executive in December.

    During the year, the commission organised the second Youth Summit to explore ways to enhance the cultural identity of Hong Kong's young people. The commission also updated the 'Youth in Hong Kong — A Statistical Profile 1997' with commentary based on statistical data, covering six youth-related issues: poverty, substance abuse, employment and unemployment, human capital, cultural capital and social capital.

    The commission continued to implement youth development programmes that seek to realise the full potential of young people. These included the International Youth Exchange Programme that aimed at broadening the horizon and international perspective of young people. In 2002, three groups comprising 70 youth delegates visited Singapore, Britain and Japan under the programme. The commission also received 37 young people from Britain and Japan making return visits to Hong Kong.

    In addition, the commission continued to implement three funding schemes to encourage more youth groups and community organisations to participate in community-based projects. The Youth Leadership Training Funding Scheme aims to sponsor non-governmental organisations in organising leadership training programmes for youth. The Community Participation Scheme for Organising Study Tour to the Mainland enables young people to cultivate a sense of belonging among themselves and enhances their understanding of the history and culture of China. The Youth Community Service Funding Scheme encourages more young people to serve the community through voluntary work. In 2002, the commission sponsored 146 leadership training programmes, 127 study tours to the Mainland and 87 projects for voluntary work.

    The Charter for Youth enunciates principles and ideals in youth development. Periodic reviews are held to provide an opportunity for subscribers to share their experience in fulfilling the provisions contained in the Charter. The third review conference was held in 2002 and subscribing organisations were invited to make presentations on how they implemented the provisions in the Charter.

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