Newsletter Volume One

22nd Hong Kong Union for Young Leaders

Content
Merry Christmas 1 Annual General Meeting 2-3 Cum Opening Ceremony GAP Orientation Day 4 GAP Workshop I 5-6 GAP Workshop II 7-8 World Congress Intro 9

MERRY CHRISTMAS
It is that time of the year again. A season of joy, celebration and of course - presents. While only some of you are having a hard time choosing the best Christmas present for your dearest ones, probably all of you are thinking what yours would be this year. I hope my mom gets me a new phone. I wish my dad would get me that leather bag. Its saddening to see how a lot of people these days see Christmas as a chance to rip off their parents; more importantly it is simply a shame that almost all of us have forsaken the true purpose and meaning behind this lovely festival. So, what is Christmas?

Religious implications aside, Christmas is a golden opportunity for all of us to spend quality time with our family and friends. You might see Christmas no different to any other day of the year as you get to see your family almost every day anyway - thats because we simply take everything for granted and fail to acknowledge the fact we are already lucky enough to wake up every day and have someone in your life to care for, to trust and to love. Some of us are even ungrateful towards life in general and fail to see how we are all the much more fortunate group. There are still people in less developed countries all over the world who are working long hours every single day just enough to stay alive, let alone having the chance to celebrate, or even to know of Christmas existence We should be thankful for what we have, rather to mourn over what we dont. Not only do you have your family at home, look around you, just as you did back on Orientation Day - It is safe to say that some of these people have more or less already become part of your life. Yes, its just been a little bit more than a month for some of you, but trust me, youll all get closer. Just remember youre never alone on this venture with the brothers and sisters around you. In the meantime, immerse yourself in this wonderful festivity and remember, be grateful for everything you have and only then will you truly have a merry, merry Christmas.

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Annual Annual General General Meeting Meeting Cum Cum Opening Opening Ceremony Ceremony

The Annual General Meeting cum Opening Ceremony of the 22nd Hong Kong Union for Young Leaders was successfully held on 16th November, 2013 at Wah Yan College Kowloon. Our Honorary Advisors, Mr. Clement Woo and Mr. Alan Leong joined this remarkable occasion and had also given us inspiring addresses. This day marked the official end of the 21st HKUYL and the commencement of the new committee board, in which the chairpersons and treasurers of 21st and 22nd HKUYL gave their reports of the year. The Opening Ceremony of the Global Awareness Project took place after the Annual General Meeting where Campers from our 31 member schools started their amazing journey with their first time wearing the Outstanding T-shirts. To start off, Campers were introduced to the brand-new cheer, the Outstanding cheer, which they had been familiar with after a few trials. Soon after they immersed in a joyous atmosphere, where rounds of ice-breaking games were conducted for Campers to warm themselves up, as well as to get to know one another better. Right after that, Campers were told to open their envelopes given in the morning and find the slips printed with lyrics of different songs in them. By singing the assigned songs of different groups, Campers recognized their groupmates easily and briefly introduced themselves to each other. Soon after lunch, the Committee members explained the details of the City Tracing event, which was one of the highlights of the day. Throughout the event, Campers had shown great involvement and excellent teamwork by identifying checkpoints located in different parts of Hong Kong before they completed different tasks. Later on, Campers had also shown their outstanding creativity in the presentation of group names and slogans when they got back to Wah Yan College, Kowloon. Following the game, they were introduced to the Global Awareness Project through a video depicting the difficulties that the less-privileged groups all over the world are currently suffering from. In the Project, Campers have been given the role of Hong Kong ambassadors, and they shoulder the responsibility to investigate problems in different countries. Each group was given the first task of identifying three major problems of their assigned countries and conduct a presentation in the upcoming workshop. Last but not the least, singing the Union Song as well as shouting the Outstanding Cheer brought a perfect conclusion to the whole-day event.

AGM AGM

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GAP GAP Orientation Orientation Day Day

GAP Workshop I

The First Workshop of the Global Awareness Project was held on Sunday, 24th November, 2013 at La Salle College. In this workshop, Campers were tasked with presenting the three major problems they discovered and analyzed of their assigned countries. Apart from equipping them with stronger presentation and critical thinking skills, this also served as the first step to enhancing their global awareness. Furthermore, mass games and other activities were also organized to polish their cooperation and leadership skills as well as to foster the bonding among the group members. The event started with an energetic cheer and a mini-game related to the history of the Union to awaken the enthusiasm of Campers. Campers were then given a chance to introduce the three major problems of their respective countries including South Africa, Japan, Russia, South Korea, USA and China. The presentations were creatively presented as they took forms of interactive dramas, role-playing and speeches. After each presentation, a question-and-answer session was held so as to improve Campers critical thinking and impromptu speaking skills. Feedback and comments were also provided so that Campers could better review and reflect on their performances. Following the presentations was the mass game. Campers were required to make a transporter that could carry three eggs, two balloons and some more heavy objects to the other end of the playground with minimal materials provided by the Committee Board. Their progress would be greatly boosted if they were able to fulfill the additional tasks set forth by the Committee Board. At the same time, cultural characteristics of their respective countries should be recognized on the transporter while communication and cooperation skills played a significant role in the mass game. An evaluation period known as Family Time was held afterwards as the last session of the whole-day event. It was the time when Campers conducted selfreflection under the guidance of the Committee Board. Campers shared their experiences and feelings with their groups and voiced out their own opinions. As with every UYL event, the day concluded with the heartwarming and touching Union Song and the Outstanding cheer.

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GAP GAP Workshop Workshop II

GAP GAP Workshop Workshop II II

The Second Workshop of the Global Awareness Project was held on 8th December, 2013 at TWGHs Wong Fut Nam College. In order to let Campers experience the problem of economic disparity in Hong Kong, a mass event, the Hunger Banquet was organized. Campers were divided into three social classes, namely the lower class, the middle class and the upper class, and were assigned different tasks. This session enhanced their problem-solving skills and stimulated Campers thoughts and concerns related to this acute problem and other prominent social problems that follow. As the game aimed at the realistic portrayal of the current situation, only a few Campers were placed to the upper class. The higher the class a Camper belonged to, the better quality of services and food he/ she could enjoy. Campers then went through a debriefing session and were guided to reflect on our society and its problems, so as to empathise with those who are less privileged than they are. Apart from the Hunger Banquet, a workshop on public speaking was conducted. Through a variety of activities focusing on different aspects of a speech, Campers were given the opportunity to polish their public speaking, presentation and communication skills so that they could apply what they had learnt in the upcoming World Congress. The public speaking lecture was followed by a Cultural Performance which each group had to prepare a 5-minute performance showcasing the unique culture of their designated countries. Using various means and media, their performances were both creative and entertaining. Last but not least, details of the World Congress were announced. Campers had to prepare themselves for the upcoming World Congress and hand in their proposals with five feasible solutions solving the assigned problems of their respective countries. And as always, the day ended with Family Time, the Union Song and the Outstanding Cheer.

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GAP Workshop Workshop II II GAP

World World Congress Congress Intro Intro

The highlight of the Global Awareness Project is the World Congress, in which Campers have to participate in a series of formal presentations, debates and negotiations. Applying their knowledge and creativity, Campers have to propose feasible solutions to their assigned global issues. The World Congress is the time that allows Campers to demonstrate their learnings from the two preceding Workshops, further broadening their horizons and enhancing their sense of identity as a global citizen. Throughout the World Congress, each of the six groups have the chance to present the solutions to the world issue assigned to them previously. After each of the presentation, there will be a question-and-answer session challenging the feasibility of the solutions, followed by a negotiation session in which Campers can comment on others proposals in the viewpoint of the assigned countries. At the same time, Campers are given the opportunity to negotiate with officials from various non-governmental organizations portrayed by Committee Board members. The aim of this session is to let Campers understand the importance of compromising and reaching agreement with other parties. Before finalizing their proposals, an amendment session will take place in which Campers have to solve existing local problems from a global perspective. The climax of the World Congress will be the voting session where each group can pass or stall the 6 proposals in favour of their countries. The World Congress aims at strengthening Campers understanding of global issues in order that they can mature into a leader that is aware of their responsibilities and obligations of the planet we all reside on.

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Presented by
22nd Hong Kong Union for Young Leaders