HONG KONG: In the wake of angry public demonstrations last month, particularly involving so-called Post-80s youths, the government says it will reach out to young people in the hope of fostering greater understanding of government policies. A broad series of initiatives to open more channels of communicating with youths is planned, Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing, said Friday.

The administration has come under fire for failing to heed concerns of young people, especially in the wake of the fierce protest last month opposing funding for the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link.

"The Commission on Youth (COY) is dominated by middle-aged business men and women with few among them qualified to deal with young people," Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong lawmaker Wong Kwok-hing said at Friday's meeting of the Legislative Council panel on home affairs.

In response, the home affairs secretary said the youth advisory body was already collecting views from the public and that the number of young people in the commission's committee would be increased.

He also said the older elements in the commission, including seasoned social workers and academics, would provide useful suggestions to youngsters.

In an effort to broaden the commission's reach, he said, several e-channels will be explored to reach youths. He added he had yet to find the time to create his own Facebook account.

The government's multi-purpose Youth Square cultural center in Chai Wan funded by taxpayers was also targeted by legislators over the way the venue is being utilized. It appears that only a handful of people actually know about the venue. Legislators said the government should promote it so that the complex can be used more effectively.

Deputy Secretary for Home Affairs Grace Lui defended the limited use of the square, saying there were 37,000 visitors to the square in the first three weeks of January. Compared to the 55,000 people who visited the location last year, it was a huge improvement. The numbers of visitors are growing as a result of jointly organized activities involving youth groups and cultural societies.

Nelson Chow, chair professor from the Department of Social Work and Social Administration of the University of Hong Kong, said he believes successful communication between the government and youth depends on each side being open to the opinions of the other side and giving ground.

As a former member of COY himself, he thinks that appointing more young people to the committee is not the key to the question. "COY is tasked to advise the government on matters pertaining to youth development. Its members should be drawn from different age groups and genders," he noted.

"Internet is a useful tool to communicate with the young people. However, if both parties insist on their own views, it would be difficult to have genuine communication. The administration has their own stand point, so do the youngsters. They should respect views of the others too," Chow said.

(HK Edition 02/06/2010 page1)