The Law Society of Hong Kong "Teen Talk 2011": Discussion forum on Law & Morality

2 December 2011

(for immediate release)

(Hong Kong, 26 November 2011) Following the success of last year, the "Teen Talk 2011" was held at the Asia World Expo at Chek Lap Kok on November 26, 2011. Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education is a sponsoring organization for Teen Talk 2011.

Over 1,700 Form 4 to Form 7 students from more than 60 local secondary schools in Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories have participated in the event. The Law Society aims at providing a vivid platform for students to discuss matters concerning law and morality and share their thoughts and opinions. It is also hoped that through discussions, students will have a better understanding of the rule of Law and the relationships between law and morality, and establish an upright value of morality.

Led by facilitators consisting lawyers, trainee solicitors and law students, 1700 participants were divided into 170 groups to discuss issues related to law and morality. Assisted by facilitators, students were actively engaged on topics like moral controversies and how those topics reflect on their daily lives. Apart from increasing their interests in analyzing current events, it is also hoped that students will get a clearer picture of the close relationship between law and morality in daily life, so as to become a social conscious and law abiding citizen.

To make the activity more interesting and to allow students to think and analyze the discussion topics, three thought-provoking videos reflecting the conflict between law and morality were shown to the student participants. The first video was a story about a group of teenagers who were abandoned in an isolated island due to an accident. Not having enough food for them all, the majority of the group voted and decided that one person would be sacrificed in order to provide food for the rest to survive. Students were encouraged to discuss, from a legal and moral points of view, that if such a decision was an act of liberty or a case of murder? The second video centered on the preparation of a Christmas party by a group of students, where issues about publicizing personal information and downloading music and movies online without proper authorization were being arisen. Students discussed online infringement, plagiarism and other daily controversies. The last video was about compensated dating. Students were encouraged to discuss the legal and moral controversies concerning compensated dating, abortion and abandon of infants. After the discussion, the students could have a better understanding of relevant laws and moral issues in question.

Mr. Junius Ho, President of the Law Society of Hong Kong said he hopes that the "Teen Talk" will allow students a clearer picture of the relation between law and morality. Mr. Ho said:" Teen Talk emphasizes critical thinking and aims at passing our experience to the future generation. It is hoped that an upright philosophy of life gained from past experience will be spread to the younger generation under the assistance of the facilitators in each group. Teenagers are the pillars of our future society. As a Caring Organization, the Law Society of Hong Kong hopes to enlighten the youth with legal knowledge, and address their aspiration to make contribution to the society."

Mr. Fred Kan, Chairman of the Organizing Committee Teen talk 2011 hopes that the younger generation will understand the importance of abiding the law. He said: "By realizing the declining social consciousness and morality of today, our younger generation will be able to make proactive self-improvement and self-reliance. As a global citizen, it is important for students to know the law and being abided by them. It is equally important for them to know that non-compliance with of the law will result in punishment. No one can be exempt from legal liability even at a young age. All of us shall bear the consequence of their own mistakes."

During the event, all students devoted themselves to each sharing session and actively participated in the discussions. The Law Society of Hong Kong was pleased to see that secondary school students today are able to realize the declining level of morality in the society and to tell right from wrong with independent thinking. Led and supported by facilitators, students have got a better understanding of Law and confidently express their thoughts in a creative, systematic and vividly manner. At the end of the event, over 1,700 students presented were led by the Committee to join in the chorus of an inspirational song - My Pride, as the ending of the successfully-held "Teen Talk 2011".

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