Information Era, Knowledge Economy, Learning Society - CHENG Kai Ming
CHENG Kai Ming
Pro-Vice-Chancellor, The University of Hong Kong
[Abstract] With the invention of transistor-chips, the human kind has entered the era of information society. The economy is moving towards "knowledge-based" and workers are expected to be intellectual. With continuous and rapid changing knowledge, environments, clients and the market, everyone is engaged in lifelong learning. The development of technologies will also cause fundamental changes in human relations, and relations between individuals and the community. Individuals will be further empowered, while teamwork will also be further emphasised.
Economic Restructuring and Youth Employment Training - LO Wai Chung
LO Wai Chung
Economics Programme Leader, The School of Arts and Social Sciences, The Open University of Hong Kong
[Abstract] Due to the structural change in the economy, nine years' basic education is not sufficient to prepare for smooth transition of the 16- to 19-year-old school leavers to employment in many OECD countries. Nor did the various programmes in vocational training in the last two decades succeed to lower their high unemployment rates. Hong Kong is currently experiencing difficulty in youth employment due to a similar structural change. This raises the issue that simply putting forward training programmes might fail to solve the problem. Further strategic insight is required of the policymakers.
The Impact of the "Infomedia Revolution" on the Youth in Hong Kong: Information Explosion and Information Confusion - Alice Y. L. LEE
Alice Y. L. LEE
Assistant Professor, Department of Journalism, Hong Kong Baptist University
[Abstract] This article examines the impact of the new infomedia technologies on young people in Hong Kong and discusses how young people can maintain critical autonomy in such an information over-loaded society. This article argues that when information technology is merged with communication technology, there is a need for "Infomedia literacy" It is necessary to introduce "Infomedia literacy training" in schools to supplement IT education in order to help young people cope with the new technological environment.
Survival or Extinction: Youth Environmental Education Strategy into the Next Century - HUNG Wing Tat
HUNG Wing Tat
Director, The Conservancy Association
[Abstract] Human beings will face increasingly severe challenges in the 21st Century particularly with a larger population and less available resources. Environmental pollution will also worsen. If the under-developed and developing areas of the world continue to follow the same development patterns as in the developed areas, such as North America where per capita resource consumption tops the world, the earth's resources will soon be exhausted, resulting in the extinction of all ecology including mankind. Getting youth to recognize this situation and to react responsibility should be the priority of the youth environmental education strategy. This can best be done through providing chances for youth to participate in environmental issues so that they can feel, think and arrive at conclusions themselves.
The Moral Impact of Biotechnology and 21st Century Youth - King-tak IP
King-tak IP
Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy and Religion, Hong Kong Baptist University
Research Fellow, Centre for Applied Ethics, Hong Kong Baptist University
[Abstract] This essay is an attempt to look at the moral impact of biotechnology on the life of the coming generation in the 21st century. The author first explains the differences between traditional biotechnology and modern biotechnology. The four major techniques of modern biotechnology and their applications are introduced. They are, genetic engineering, tissue culture, in vitro fertilization, and embryo transfer, which are all fairly controversies. In order to face the challenges posed by modern biotechnology, 21st century youth need to prepare themselves to be morally mature. They need to be familiar with the methods of moral reasoning and to seek ways to develop character. In doing so, they would be able to make right choices and have the moral courage to actualize them. Moreover, they could better handle relationships with their fellow human beings and other life forms.
Religious Revival: The Rise of New Religious Movements and the Spiritual Life of Youth - KWAN Shiu Man, Simon LO Lung-kwong
KWAN Shiu Man, Simon
Assistant Professor, Theology Division, Chung Chi College, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
LO Lung-kwong
Head (Associate Professor), Theology Division, Chung Chi College, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
[Abstract] Adolescence is a developmental stage that is very important to the psycho-social growth of individuals. It is the stage where identity is sought in the midst of many social factors. In the post-modern or postmodern society, new religious movements are growing apace, which some announce as a sign of religious revival. Is the speedy growth of new religious movements an indicator of religious revivals? What will the shape of adolescents seeking on identity be in the middle of the new religious conditions? The present effort tries to answer these questions, arguing that with respect to the accomplishment of the developmental task of identity-seeking, the upsurge of new religious movements is not good news.
The Politics of Power Transfer: Political Attitudes and Patterns of Political Participation of the Youth in Hong Kong toward the 21st Century - Timothy Ka-ying WONG
Timothy Ka-ying WONG
Research Officer, Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
[Abstract] The 1997 handover signified a dual power transfer for Hong Kong: the change of its sovereignity from Britain to China and the replacement of British colonial rule by the SAR government composed of Hong Kong residents only. Such a transfer of dual power inevitably affects youth's political attitudes and patterns of political participation. During the several years before and after the handover, how have they felt about the politics of Hong Kong, the Chinese nation to which they were returned and Hong Kong-mainland relations? What are the characteristics their political participation has displayed? Has there been any change in the process? If yes, what kind of change? This article examines the above questions with an attempt to outline the major political attitudes and patterns of political participation of youth on the eve of the 21st century.
Women's Revolution: The Trend of Gender Equality and Changing Role of Female Youth in the 21st Century - Fanny CHEUNG
Fanny CHEUNG
Professor, Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
[Abstract] Changes in the family structure, increases in the educational level and economic participation of women in the second half of the twentieth century have led to favourbale objective conditions for the rise of women's status in Hong Kong. However, objective and subjective barriers still impede the attainment of gender equality. This article reviews the process of women's struggle for equality in Hong Kong and previews gender roles and relationships in the twenty-first century.
Polarization between Wealth and Poverty: Poverty in Developed Societies - Thomas S. T. CHAN YU Lai Sheung
Thomas S. T. CHAN
Vice President At Large, World Vision International
YU Lai Sheung
Senior Researcher, World Vision Hong Kong
[Abstract] What is poverty? Societies with various levels of developement have different reference points. Using the salary standard of the members of a society as a reference point to define poverty is a kind of development of humanity's materialistic civilization. It coincides with the ideas of democracy, humanitarianism and equality that society esteems. The polarization between wealth and poverty in the developed societies has made the elderly, women and children more vulnerable. The trend of the descreasing age of the poor has caught the attention of many. Poverty originates from inequality. The remedy should not fully rely on the welfare system, instead there needs to be anti-poverty actions. For example, using every possible means to raise the education and professional skill levels of the poor of increasing their competitiveness and adaptability in the knowledge based economy of the information age.