Conference on youth development in the cyber era

Over 200 scholars, social workers, teachers and students shared with participants their views, experiences and research findings on the impact of IT on youth at the "International Conference on Youth Development in the Cyber Era: Trends and Challenges" held at CityU on 15-16 December.

"The power of IT is so persuasive that every one of us-- and the younger generation in particular-- is affected by it," said Professor P S Chung, Vice-President for Research, at the opening ceremony. "This event will provide channels where participants from different parts of the world can exchange opinions and work for a better future in IT development for the younger generation.?Professor Chung also signed a co-operative research memorandum with Mr Ip Peng-kin, Director of the Social Welfare Department of the Macau SAR. The deal calls for CityU to conduct a study on youth problems and youth services in Macau.

Dr Agnes Yeung, Head of the Division of Social Studies and Chair of the Conference Organizing Committee, used the conference to unveil YSNet, a network of 40 academic staff from the Department of Applied Social Studies and the Division of Social Studies who will conduct systematic and comparative research with the aim of fostering greater understanding of young people in the cyber era. Currently, about 15 funded research projects have been undertaken by YSNet. Research findings will be posted on the Internet (www.cityu.edu.hk/prj/YSNet).