Youth Development and Engagement

    Youth I.D.E.A.S. 45 Governance and Constitutional Development Strengthening the Role and Functions of District Councils 5 September, 2019   In Hong Kong, the District Administration Scheme has been implemented since 1982. The Scheme aims at promoting community development and nurturing civic responsibility and a sense of belonging. One of the elements of the Scheme is the establishment of District Councils (DCs). The election-based nature and front-line community work experience of DCs has made them an important cradle for training the political talent of Hong Kong.   The DCs’ performance, however, has always been criticized. Worse, the number of […]

Youth I.D.E.A.S. 41 Governance and Constitutional Development Advancing the Honours and Awards System of the HKSAR 28 April, 2019 Many governments around the world award their citizens honours for public or community service, outstanding achievement and sustained contribution to society. This is meant to convey both distinction and recognition and is usually regarded as the highest form of honour for citizenry. There is widespread belief that the presentation of merit-based government honours to individuals helps establish role models for society, encourage greater involvement in public service, and develop a greater sense of belonging. All of these contribute to social stability […]

Youth I.D.E.A.S. 37 Governance and Constitutional Development Involving the Community in Public Finance Management 20 December, 2018     The process of public finance management is how the government uses and distributes resources. Effective management of public finances is beneficial to the stability and sustainability of society. To support this, effective public participation can help to not only strengthen government policy legitimacy but also aid in building public trust in the government. Various governments and institutional organizations around the world value the importance of, and actively seek, public participation in aspects of public finance management. This includes topics as wide-ranging […]

Youth I.D.E.A.S. 33 Governance and Constitutional Development Nurturing Talent for Governance 26 August, 2018     Good public governance relies on people with outstanding talents performing their duties and exerting leadership skills in their positions. Those in public office, through making good decisions and effectively using public resources to resolve social problems, improve people’s livelihoods, gain the public’s trust and make society better. Developing a pool of talent for governance is getting more attention, with many governments around the world building talent pools in areas including talent identification, training, practice and experiences retention. Some governments have also strengthened their talent […]

Youth I.D.E.A.S. 29 Governance and Constitutional Development Enhancing e-Government in the HKSAR 26 April, 2018     e-Government, broadly speaking, is the digitalization of government operations through the use of Internet and the application of Information and Communication Technology (ITC). It provides government with opportunities to deliver more accessible public services of a higher quality. It is generally believed that effective implementation of e-services could enhance the performance of the government. It also helps create a positive public image of the government, providing favourable conditions to maintain good governance.   Since its establishment, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government […]

Youth I.D.E.A.S. 25 Governance and Constitutional Development Building Public Trust in the Government 21 December, 2017     Trust is a precious resource in facilitating interactions among people in any kind of society, including those between the government and its people. It is also a major concern when it comes to good governance. Yet, when looking around the world, challenges to the mutual trust between the government and the public are common. An international survey noted that in 21 out of the 28 countries or areas polled in the survey, people’s trust in government was rated under 50%[1].   In […]

  Youth I.D.E.A.S. 15 Governance and Constitutional Development Young People’s Views on Civil Servant Challenges 30 October, 2016     Civil servants are an essential part of the government, and are vital to maintaining good governance.  They also play an important role in executing policies and striving for public trust, thereby fostering social development and effective governance.   According to the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China (hereafter called “Basic Law”), public servants are a key component of the HKSAR’s political structure.  The Basic Law stipulates that public servants (including […]