The kick-off ceremony of the Youth Financial Education Programme, launched by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) and the Investor and Financial Education Council (IFEC), was held today (May 21).
      
     To assist with the development of young people, the Chief Executive announced in the 2023 Policy Address that the Government will launch a pilot scheme to provide young people with financial planning and counselling services as well as information on financial management, saving and investment that suits individual needs. On a pilot basis, the Youth Financial Education Programme will be implemented at the five youth hostels under the Youth Hostel Scheme to help young people with developing an effective financial management plan.
      
     Speaking at the ceremony, the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, said that the HYAB and the IFEC will introduce a series of online resources and activities through the Youth Financial Education Programme in the coming months, including story-telling sessions on financial planning and interactive learning activities. The programme aims to help young people customise their own financial plans and goals, so that they will develop good habits for managing personal finances and investment. She said she hopes that young people would utilise the financial education resources to actively enhance their knowledge, attitude and ability in personal finance management during their stay in the youth hostels, and engage in personal financial planning as well as life planning. She expressed her gratitude towards the IFEC and the operators of the youth hostels for collaborating with the HYAB in organising the programme.
      
     After the kick-off ceremony, Miss Mak participated in the first story-telling session on financial planning with the guests and youth tenants.
      
     Other officiating guests of the kick-off ceremony included the Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Mr Clarence Leung; the Commissioner for Youth, Mr Eric Chan; the General Manager of the IFEC, Ms Dora Li; and former Chairman of the Hong Kong Investment Funds Association Mr Bruno Lee. Representatives from various organisations participating in the Youth Hostel Scheme also attended the event.

Ends/Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Issued at HKT 21:45

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