While fully committed to promoting new railway projects, the MTR Corporation has also been connecting with the community and supporting youth development. As the major transport infrastructure facilitating the development of the Northern Metropolis, the Northern Link will provide impetus for the long-term development of Yuen Long, the Northwestern New Territories and Hong Kong. The MTR Corporation, in collaboration with Yuen Long Town Hall, has launched the "Northern Link – Youth Ambassadors Programme" to identify and nurture a group of responsible and ambitious youths who have grown up in Yuen Long district to promote the development of the Northern Link. By doing so, they will serve as a bridge between the Northern Link and the community, enhancing the community's understanding of the new project.
The kick-off ceremony of the programme was held on 14 August 2024. Representatives from Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Yuen Long District Office and six Rural Committees, other district representatives in Yuen Long, school principals, parents and local residents also attended to support the Youth Ambassadors.
Mr Wu Tin-yau, Gordon, JP, District Officer of Yuen Long District Office, Home Affairs Department (6th left); Mr Wang Ke-sheng, Deputy Director of New Territories Sub-office, Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (4th right); Ms Linda Choy, Corporate Affairs and Branding Director of MTR Corporation (5th right); Mr Wong Dar-nin, Chairman of the Yuen Long Town Hall Management Committee (5th left); Mr Tang Koon-yau, Executive Committee Member of Pat Heung Rural Committee (2nd left); Mr Man Kwai-sau, Vice-chairman of San Tin Rural Committee (1st right); Mr Tang Ho-nin, MH, Chairman of Kam Tin Rural Committee (4th left); Mr Tang Sin-hang, Chairman of Ha Tsuen Rural Committee (3rd right); Mr Tang Che-keung, MH, Chairman of Ping Shan Heung Rural Committee (3rd left); Mr Ching Chan-ming, Chairman of Shap Pat Heung Rural Committee (2nd right) and Mr Charles Lau, Project Manager - Northern Link (Station, Depot and Spur Line) (1st left) officiated at the kick-off ceremony, indicating the official commencement of the Northern Link – Youth Ambassadors Programme.
As part of the ceremony, three Youth Ambassadors shared their experience of participating in the programme.
During the sharing session, Youth Ambassadors Tsang Chun-to, Daniel Cheng, and Xu Zhuo-shi shared their experience by utilising the knowledge and skills they acquired during the training workshop under the programme.
"This community youth development programme, co-organised by the MTR Corporation and Yuen Long Town Hall, aims to encourage the youth to take a greater interest in the communities where they grow and live, especially in Yuen Long district, which is one of Hong Kong's most significant development areas in the future," said Ms Linda Choy, Corporate Affairs and Branding Director of MTR Corporation during the opening remarks. "Once the Youth Ambassadors deepen their understanding of their community's development, they can share and disseminate the project information to more youth and children in their own way," she said.
Ms Linda Choy, Corporate Affairs and Branding Director of MTR Corporation offered warm words to the Youth Ambassadors, encouraging them to grow with the Northern Link through their participation in this programme.
Mr Charles Lau, Project Manager - Northern Link (Station, Depot and Spur Line) presented Certificates of Appreciation to the Youth Ambassadors in recognition of their active participation in the programme.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Wu Tin-yau, Gordon, JP, District Officer of Yuen Long District Office, Home Affairs Department, stated that Yuen Long District is an important development area in the North Metropolis. The Yuen Long District Office fully supports the collaboration between the MTR Corporation and Yuen Long Town Hall. He hopes this programme could create a synergy in driving the sustainable development of Yuen Long and the Northern Metropolis.
Mr Wu Tin-yau, Gordon, JP, District Officer of Yuen Long District Office, Home Affairs Department said he hopes that this programme could inspire young people to become more involved in and committed to their communities' development.
Mr Wong Dar-nin, Chairman of the 42nd Management Committee of Yuen Long Town Hall, expressed his expectations for the programme. He believes that with enthusiasm and interest in the Northern Link, the Youth Ambassadors would spare no efforts in promoting the benefits of the Northern Link project in the community. He also added that Yuen Long Town Hall was very honoured to contribute to Hong Kong's railway development.
Mr Wong Dar-nin, Chairman of the 42nd Management Committee of Yuen Long Town Hall, hopes that all of the Youth Ambassadors would gain valuable experience from this programme.
The Northern Link – Youth Ambassadors Programme is a six-month initiative in which the Youth Ambassadors will conduct a series of talks at different primary schools in Yuen Long district, explaining the project's features and the basics of railway engineering to over 4,000 students in a lighthearted and interesting way, thus bridging the gap between the Northern Link project and surrounding communities.
With the strong support from community members, this group of youths officially became Northern Link Youth Ambassadors and will make their debut in September giving talks.
Prior to the programme's official launch, Yuen Long Town Hall and the Northern Link project team arranged a training workshop to provide the Youth Ambassadors with the necessary knowledge and skills for their new role.
Apart from attentively listening to the briefing on project information, the Youth Ambassadors eagerly participated in answering fun quizzes about the MTR and the Northern Link project.
During the workshop, a professional emcee trained the Youth Ambassadors in public speaking and communication skills.
The Northern Link project team members were managed to integrate themselves with the Youth Ambassadors and quickly built a rapport with them during the training workshop.
An "old + new" experience tour was also arranged to provide the Youth Ambassadors with a deeper understanding of the design of a new MTR station and the community. This tour led the Youth Ambassadors to visit the award-winning green station, Hin Keng Station, as well as the historic site of Tai Fu Tai in San Tin, showcasing how the innovative and environmentally-friendly features of the Northern Link stations could complement and reflect the region's heritage, creating a unique cityscape along the Northern Link.
Through the visit to Hin Keng Station, apart from broadening their horizons and raising their environmental awareness, the Youth Ambassadors also gained insights into the sustainable design elements of the future Northern Link stations.
During a visit to Tai Fu Tai, the Youth Ambassadors had an opportunity to Hong Kong's early architectural style, which blended Chinese and Western influences. They also envisaged how the new Northern Link stations would facilitate visitors in exploring the historical sites along the alignment in the future.
