Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Tam Chon Weng, chairs a meeting of the Youth Affairs Committee.
The Government is considering a plan that would enable local young people to get language training on the mainland or overseas. The idea would be to improve further the international outlook of young local people and their competiveness in the employment market. The information was disclosed by the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Tam Chon Weng, on Monday (7 March), during a meeting of the Youth Affairs Committee. The Secretary heads the committee. Discussions at the meeting included: a mid-term review of the Macao Youth Policy covering the years 2012 to 2020; updates on the committee’s Youth Awards 2015; a publicity campaign relating to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (collectively known as “the Belt and Road” initiative); a redevelopment plan for the former Estoril Hotel building and adjacent swimming pool; and issues relating to occupational education. The Government aims to develop further its public policies to cultivate all-round talent among local people, said Mr Tam. Macao has a special role in the nation’s economic development and its policy of opening up to the rest of the world, he added, noting such facts provided development opportunities for local young people. Regarding youth entrepreneurship, Mr Tam said the Government would provide support on the theory and practise of business, and not only financial assistance to start ups. The Government would invite senior executives from different sectors, such as from local banks and commercial industries, to share their experience with young people. Regarding the former Estoril Hotel building and adjacent swimming pool, several committee members reported a positive response from the public regarding plans to redevelop the area; with hopes expressed it could be done soon. The Government proposed to demolish the former hotel and redevelop the area as a youth recreation and sports facility, enabling Macao’s young people to cultivate their creativity and their potential in the arts, and to stay fit, Mr Tam added. The Government would act in line with the Cultural Heritage Law with regard to a request – raised by about a hundred members of the public – to classify the building as a piece of cultural heritage, he said. Mr Tam stated the Government would pay close attention to different opinions from the people, noting that a third-party conducted survey showed more than 80 percent of respondents were in favour of the redevelopment proposal.