Cheong Man Fai, who heads the Youth Department of the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ), told reporters yesterday that she expected the results of a social survey to be conducted by the bureau to collect data on the current state of youth development to be released in the first half of next year.
Cheong made the remarks yesterday at a press conference after this year’s second plenary meeting of the government-appointed Youth Affairs Committee at the bureau, which was addressed by Youth Affairs Committee Vice President, DSEDJ Director Kong Chi Meng.
The survey, called Macau Youth Indicators, is commissioned by the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau (DSEJ) and carried out every two years since 2008.
This year’s survey, which will be conducted between this month and November and will cover 10 areas and 45 indicators in areas such as marriage and family, physical and mental health, and education, said Cheong.
According to Cheong, data will be collected in proportion to the three age groups surveyed, and will be conducted through street interviews and online questionnaires, inviting young people aged 13 to 35 from schools, public and private institutions and civil society to participate.
Cheong also mentioned that the new youth policy extends the age range of young people in Macau to from 13 to 29, to 13 to 35 years old, which, according to the 2021 Population Census, will involve about 221,000 people.
Cheong also said that the questionnaire would be translated into Portuguese and English, so as to collect more comprehensive data.
In addition, DSEDJ officials also presented a series of awards related to youth affairs during the meeting, with the Secretary-General of Caritas Macau, Paul Pun Chi Meng (潘志明), receiving the “Youth Service Award” under the “2021 Youth Award”, which recognises individuals who have made outstanding achievements in youth work in Macau.
The DSEDJ’s “Youth Service Award” aims to recognise those who have embarked on activities that have been recognised as important in enhancing the civic and cultural qualities of the young people and the community, with only one nomination per year.
Cheong Man Fai, who heads the Youth Department of the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ), addresses yesterday’s press conference after the second plenary meeting of the Youth Affairs Committee at the bureau. – Photo: Ginnie Liang
