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The following is issued on behalf of the Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education:
The Civic Education Resource Centre established by the Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education (CPCE) officially opened today (January 22), providing an exhibition venue, a reference materials library and a function room under one roof. Members of the public and community organisations are welcome to visit and make use of the facilities to broaden their knowledge of civic education.
Officiating at the opening ceremony today with the CPCE Chairman, Mr Joseph Lee, the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, said, "Concerted efforts from all sectors of the community are crucial in building a harmonious and progressive society. The Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government has always attached importance to promoting civic education, in particular in guiding the younger generation to develop civic values and enhance the quality of citizenship.
"In this regard, the CPCE has been a close partner of the SAR Government to organise different types of activities to promote civic education outside the schools in a multi-pronged approach."
Located on the seventh floor of the Youth Square in Chai Wan, the Civic Education Resource Centre is divided into three main areas - the "Gallery", the "Resource Corner" and the "Civic Square".
The "Gallery" consists of thematic exhibition and permanent exhibition areas. Through interactive exhibits and thematic exhibitions, the Gallery helps promote core civic and personal values and national awareness. The "Volunteerism from Generation to Generation" photo exhibition is being held at the venue to promote volunteer services by displaying photos of the selfless acts of the late Hong Kong volunteers Mr Wong Fuk-wing and Mr Andy Tsang Man-kit.
The "Resource Corner" houses a collection of over 5,000 volumes of reference materials and teaching kits on civic education, national education and youth development for public viewing, while the "Civic Square" is a multi-purpose function room with a seating capacity of 180. The room is available for holding civic education activities such as talks, training courses, film shows and seminars.
During the opening ceremony, the CPCE also announced the launching of the Basic Law Digital Games Development Contest. With the aim of promoting public knowledge on the Basic Law through interactive and interesting games, the contest is co-organised with the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, the Education Bureau, the Department of Justice and the Hong Kong Digital Game-based Learning Association.
Also officiating at the ceremony were Convenor of the Civic Education Resource Centre Working Group of the CPCE, Ms Ma Hok-ka, and Convenor of the Basic Law Promotion Working Group of the CPCE, Mr Wong Kwan-yu.
Those interested in visiting or using the facilities of the Civic Education Resource Centre may browse the centre's website at www.cpce.gov.hk/resource_centre/en/index.htm.
Ends/Saturday, January 22, 2011
Issued at HKT 16:01
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