(13 July 2015, Hong Kong) Applications for the Young Ambassadors for Geoconservation training programme, a major corporate social responsibility project of NWS Holdings Limited (“NWS Holdings” or “the Group”; Hong Kong stock code: 659), hit a new record, with more than 600 students from over 80 secondary schools aspiring to become young leaders. At the graduation and orientation ceremony held earlier, more than 400 graduating and incoming Young Ambassadors, along with secondary school teachers, gathered to celebrate their work and past achievements, including the marking of almost 20,000 training hours, on its fifth anniversary.
Incepted in 2011, the Young Ambassadors for Geoconservation training programme is a pillar programme of NWS Hong Kong Geo Wonders Hike which is co-organized with the Association for Geoconservation, Hong Kong. It provides a range of systematic and comprehensive training, including geoconservation theories and practices and overseas exchange, to develop senior secondary school students into future leaders with environmental senses. The programme has grown from an intake of 40 students in its first year to 240 in recent years. Training content is regularly updated to broaden the knowledge of students. A field trip on climate change and a corporate visit are newly added elements of this year’s programme.
At the ceremony, Sheila Tang, General Manager of Corporate Communication of NWS Holdings, remarked, “Social and environmental sustainability can only be achieved with the concerted efforts in the community as well as the support and devotion of the young generation. We hope that our Young Ambassadors can gain environmental knowledge and a broad perspective at the same time. A corporate visit is added to the training programme this year so that students understand the business world and will be able to look at social, environmental and development issues through wider lens.”
Cindy Choi, Vice-Chairman of the Association for Geoconservation, Hong Kong, said, “Rocks and landforms, the base of all ecosystems, are closely related to climate change and socio-economic development. The new thematic training on climate change enables our Young Ambassadors to gain insight into this topical global issue, strengthening their acumen in international affairs.”
The event was held on 11th July at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Joseph Sham, Assistant Director (Country and Marine Parks) of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, officiated the fifth anniversary ceremony of the programme. Awards were presented to outstanding teams and individual Young Ambassadors of last year’s intake. The honour of “Gold Award” went to New Territories Heung Yee Kuk Yuen Long District Secondary School, while the “Silver Award” was awarded to St. Catharine’s School for Girls, Kwun Tong. Hong Kong Pui Ching Middle School received both the “Bronze Award” and “Creativity Award” for school promotion projects. Maryknoll Father’s School and Christian Alliance S C Chan Memorial College were awarded the “Excellence Award” and “Merit Award” respectively for school projects. Eight individuals also received “Young Geo-guide Award” for their outstanding performance in guiding public tours of the NWS Hong Kong Geo Wonders Hike.
Wini Chan from Hong Kong Pui Ching Middle School, representing last year’s Young Ambassadors, said, “A year ago, my teammates and I had very limited knowledge about geoconservation. Today we stand here, grateful for everything we have gained from local and overseas field trips, leadership training, guided public tours and school projects. We were given valuable opportunities to visit Hong Kong’s unique geological heritage and landscapes and to exchange ideas with students from other schools. We understand the crux of passing the torch of geoconservation and we will continue to contribute our knowledge and efforts to Hong Kong’s geoconservation and sustainable development.”
During July and August this year, 240 shortlisted Young Ambassadors will sit through “Geo-Class” training that includes classroom training on geoconservation and field study at Hong Kong Global Geopark of China. Professor Wyss Yim Wai-shu, Honorary Professor of the Department of Earth Sciences of the University of Hong Kong, has been invited to provide training on climate change. Top-performing teams will then attend training on whole-person development, including a leadership camp as well as a multi-stakeholder debate and field trip on climate change, which have been added to the course this year. Elite teams will be selected to join a cross-border study trip in 2016, while teams with the best school projects will be invited to visit NWS Holdings to gain insight into the company’s business operations and learn from managers.
An alumni network, called YA Alumni Club, was formed in 2014 to help all Young Ambassadors stay connected. All previous ambassadors are automatically enrolled, and are entitled to training, guided tours and annual gatherings organized by the network. The YA Alumni Club now has approximately 900 members, including this year’s incoming Young Ambassadors. Outstanding graduates may receive sponsorship to be trained as professional Geopark guides.
For more information about the Young Ambassadors for Geoconservation Training Programme, please visit its website http://geo.nws.com.hk and Facebook page www.facebook.com/geo.nws.hk.
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This press release is also available on the Group’s website ( www.nws.com.hk).
NWS Holdings Limited (“NWS Holdings”, Hong Kong stock code: 659), the infrastructure and service flagship of New World Development Company Limited (Hong Kong stock code: 17), operates businesses in Hong Kong, Mainland China and Macau. Its Infrastructure portfolio includes Roads, Environment, Logistics and Aviation projects. Its Services portfolio comprises Facilities Management (the management of Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and Free Duty), Construction & Transport (construction, bus and ferry services) and Strategic Investments.
Association for Geoconservation, Hong Kong (“AGHK”) is a charitable institution composed of volunteers with mission to preserve Hong Kong’s landforms and rocks; to disseminate earth sciences; to promote sustainable geotourism and ecotourism and to make Hong Kong a better place to live in. AGHK organizes seminars, geoappreciation tours and campaigns, publishes articles and books to promote geoconservation; closely monitors developments and projects which might destroy our invaluable heritage and cooperates with government and conservation bodies to conserve our rocks and landforms.
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NWS Holdings Limited
