Junior 'legislators' retirement plan wins votes
Project gives young 'lawmakers' the chance to learn how the real world of politics works and put their ideas before some bona fide politicians
A proposal on universal retirement protection by "lawmakers" from the city's secondary schools won the approval of real legislators at the sixth Hong Kong Model Legislative Council.
Organised by the Hong Kong Young Leaders Development Association, a record 82 pupils took part in the simulation exercise held on August 3 and 4 at Hong Kong University.
The closing ceremony held at Polytechnic University yesterday was joined by Lau Kong-wah, Undersecretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs and seven lawmakers from across the political spectrum - Alan Leong Kah-kit from the Civic Party, Emily Lau Wai-hing from the Democratic party, Felix Chung Kwok-pan from the Liberal Party, People Power's Raymond Chan Chi-chuen, Peter Cheung Kwok-che from the Labour Party, Christopher Chung Shu-kun from the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, and Tony Tse Wai-chuen, who represents the architectural, surveying and planning sector.
Association vice-president Timothy Chau Tin-lok from the University of Science and Technology said that the students had been divided into five panels to deliberate before submitting five proposals, which ranged from universal retirement protection to the nomination mechanism of the chief executive.
"The aim is to help high-school students become more familiar with current affairs and experience the work of lawmakers," Chau said.
The seven lawmakers were asked to cast secret ballots to vote for their favourite proposals, and the proposal on universal retirement protection won.
"The universal retirement proposal was very detailed," said Peter Cheung.
Wong Lap-yu, 16, who was chairman of the winning panel, said he had learned a lot in the process.
"We need to think from different perspectives to see who will be affected by the policy, and whether the government can afford it or not," he said.
