SHYA Leads UN Youth Volunteers to Visit OCMFA, Explore Opportunities in UN Internship Programme for Broader International Engagement

SHYA leads United Nations youth volunteer interns to visit OCMFA

The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, and the Permanent Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Mr Patrick Li, led the youth volunteer interns participating in the HYAB - United Nations Volunteer Internship Programme to visit the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (OCMFA) today (July 9), and met with Deputy Commissioner of the OCMFA Mr Li Yongsheng. The Chairman of the Agency for Volunteer Service (co-organiser of the Programme), Ms Melissa Pang, also joined the visit.

In the 2025 Policy Address, the Chief Executive announced the launch of the Young Talent Training Programme to provide more opportunities for young people to participate in the internships of international organisations and attend international conferences, thereby enabling them to broaden their international horizons and cultivate a holistic outlook. The Government launched the Programme in collaboration with the United Nations (UN) Volunteers and provides full funding support to local university students to undertake six-month volunteer placements in different UN agencies. It aims to help young people develop their personal capacities and gain a deeper understanding of the operations of international organisations, and also to provide an opportunity for them to contribute to the international community in the capacity of Chinese youth volunteers.

Miss Mak expressed her gratitude to the OCMFA for its support for youth development work in Hong Kong, especially the arrangements of today's visit, which would help young people understand the country's pivotal role in international affairs. She encouraged the interns this year to seize this volunteer internship opportunity to showcase the vitality, capability and potential of Hong Kong youth to the world, and also to tell good stories of the country and Hong Kong.

This year, the Programme offers a total of 20 internship placements in different UN agencies located in Kazakhstan, Laos, Nepal, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Uzbekistan. The youth volunteer interns will undertake volunteer placements in UN agencies, such as the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Children's Fund, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, led a batch of youth volunteer interns under the HYAB - United Nations Volunteer Internship Programme to visit the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (OCMFA) today (July 9). Photo shows Deputy Commissioner of the OCMFA Mr Li Yongsheng (first left); Miss Mak (fourth left); the Permanent Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Mr Patrick Li (second left); and the Chairman of the Agency for Volunteer Service, Ms Melissa Pang (fifth left), interacting with the youth volunteer interns. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, led a batch of youth volunteer interns under the HYAB - United Nations Volunteer Internship Programme to visit the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (OCMFA) today (July 9). Photo shows Deputy Commissioner of the OCMFA Mr Li Yongsheng (first row, fourth right); Miss Mak (first row, centre); the Permanent Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Mr Patrick Li (first row, third right); and the Chairman of the Agency for Volunteer Service, Ms Melissa Pang (first row, third left), with the youth volunteer interns. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, led a batch of youth volunteer interns under the HYAB - United Nations Volunteer Internship Programme to visit the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region today (July 9). Photo shows Miss Mak delivering a speech during the visit. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, led a batch of youth volunteer interns under the HYAB - United Nations Volunteer Internship Programme to visit the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (OCMFA) today (July 9). Photo shows Miss Mak (left) meeting with Deputy Commissioner of the OCMFA Mr Li Yongsheng (right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Ballot applications to start on July 16 for free use of leisure facilities on Sport For All Day 2026

The Sport For All Day 2026 will be held on August 2 (Sunday). This year, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will, for the first time, open leisure facilities for free public use for two consecutive days on August 1 and 2, including:

• Indoor leisure facilities: badminton courts, tennis courts, basketball courts, netball courts, volleyball courts, squash courts, table tennis tables, American pool tables, billiard tables, sport climbing walls*, bowling greens, golf facilities, fitness rooms*, activity rooms, a cycling track* and dance rooms;
• Outdoor leisure facilities: tennis courts, tennis practice courts, bowling greens, batting cages, archery ranges* and golf facilities (excluding camp facilities, sports grounds as well as artificial and natural turf pitches);
• Public swimming pools (excluding Wan Chai Swimming Pool); and
• Crafts at water sports centres* (recreational kayaks, pedal-driven boats, sampans and colour boats at Chong Hing Water Sports Centre are available for free use by campers only).

(* Users are required to possess the relevant qualification certificates.)

The free-of-charge sessions will be allocated through balloting. Details are as follows:

Date of free use	Submission of balloting application	Announcement of balloting results	Announcement of remaining sessions	First come first served for remaining sessions
August 1	July 16 to 19	July 23	July 25	July 26
August 2	July 17 to 20	July 24	July 26	July 27

Members of the public may make ballot applications via the SmartPLAY system as individual users for the sessions onAugust 1 and/or August 2 in accordance with the above timetable. Each user may only make one application for each date, with each application coveringa maximum ofthree choices. Each application will be processed independently. An applicant may revise his/her choices in his/her application via SmartPLAY system before the closing time at 11.59pm on the respective application closing dates (i.e. July 19 and 20 respectively). Successful applicants will be notified by the SmartPLAY system.

SmartPLAY users who have not been allocated any free session by ballot or have not made any application may book the remaining sessions on a first-come, first-served basis in accordance with the above timetablethrough the following channels:

(i) "iAM Smart" users: to log into the My SmartPLAY mobile app with priority access to make bookings from 7am;

(ii) Users not using "iAM Smart": to log into the My SmartPLAY mobile app, the official SmartPLAY website, smart self-service stations or service counters at various leisure venues to make bookings from 7.15am; and

(iii) Users aged under 11: as "iAM Smart" is for use by persons aged 11 or above, SmartPLAY users aged under 11 may make bookings through the My SmartPLAY mobile app from 7am.

Each successful applicant will only be allocated one free session per day, whether through balloting or first-come, first-served booking.

The LCSD appeals to successful applicants to arrive on time to make the best use of the booked facilities. All users should observe the Conditions of Use of LCSD Recreation and Sports Facilities (the Conditions) as set out on the LCSD website www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/condition/index.html (including the "no-show/not present during the use of the booked sessions" penalty). If a successful applicant fails to take up a booked session on time, the arrangements stipulated in the Conditions will apply. For enquiry, please call 2414 5555 or visit the dedicated website.

No prior application will be required for using public swimming pool facilities. Members of the public may line up at the entrances of swimming pools before the start of a session. Free admission is offered on a first-come, first-served basis, while quota lasts.

In addition, aseries of free leisure programmes will be launched on August 2 (from 2pm to 6pm) at designated sports centres across the 18 districts. The arrangements for distributing activity coupons will be announced in July. A number of supportingorganisations will also open their facilities or roll out leisure programmes for the public free of charge on August 1 and 2.

Up-to-date information is availableon the dedicated website www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/sfad.

Source: AI-found images