Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak today led more than 10 United Nations (UN) youth volunteer interns to visit the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (OCMFA).

Joined by Commissioner for Youth Wallace Lau, Miss Mak met OCMFA Deputy Commissioner Yang Yirui during the visit.

The interns will depart to undertake six-month voluntary placements in UN agencies in Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal and Thailand starting this month, under the United Nations Volunteers - Hong Kong Universities Volunteer Internship Programme.

The scope of the agencies involve the UN Development Programme, the UN Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization and the UN Food & Agriculture Organization.

Making her remarks, Miss Mak thanked the OCMFA for supporting the programme and helping to arrange today’s visit.

She also thanked International Organizations & Conferences Department Deputy Director-General Yang Guowei, who introduced the OCMFA’s work to the youth volunteer interns, helping to deepen their understanding of the country's participation in international affairs prior to their departure for the placements.

Miss Mak hoped that the interns could enhance their inter-cultural competence and broaden their global perspective through this valuable experience as well as understand China’s contributions and influences across the global landscape.

She added with the resumption of normal travel, the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau is resuming youth activities outside Hong Kong in a gradual and orderly manner, starting with the well-received programme.

The programme was launched in 2015 in collaboration with the UN Volunteers. The Government provides funding support to local university students to undertake voluntary placements in different UN agencies.

It hopes to help these students develop their personal capabilities and expand their horizons, and to provide an opportunity for young people to contribute to the international community as a Chinese youth volunteer.