Outward Bound Hong Kong #FutureProofYOUth

Registered Charity since 1970

#FutureProofYOUth BUILDING A STRONGER HONG KONG

WHY OBHK IS ESSENTIAL TO HONG KONG’S FUTURE

INTRODUCTION Hong Kong’s young people are our future. The turbulence of 2019’s social unrest followed by the uncertainties of the pandemic has significantly impacted their education, their social development as well as physical health and mental health.

It is vital to our future prospects that we consciously create opportunities for our young people to re-connect with each other, develop the essential skills that will be required to contribute to society and the economy and create the foundations for a successful and harmonious Hong Kong.

Technology is critical to our future growth and development, and yet its impact is significantly reduced if we neglect the soft skills that society also demands. The #FutureProof YOUth Hong Kong Research shows that both parents and youth agreed that opportunities to develop skills such as problem solving, self-management and teamwork are lacking in traditional education settings.

For over 50 years Outward Bound Hong Kong has served our young people, providing opportunities for their personal development and growth. Using a proven methodology, participants are able to look towards their future with increased confidence and capacity to positively influence those around them.

The following pages highlight the impact of our work, why now is the time for every young person to be given the opportunity and how you can help us FutureProof YOUth.

OUR VISION:

RESILIENT INDIVIDUALS, EFFECTIVE COMMUNITIES, A STRONGER HONG KONG

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future-proof verb [T] UK

ˈfjuːtʃəpruːf/ US

#FutureProofYOUth

ˈfjuːtʃəpruːf/

youth noun UK

/juːθ/ US

/juːθ/

#WellBeing

means ensuring that our future generations are feeling good and functioning well therefore can take care of their own physical and mental wellbeing and face challenges with confidence.

#FutureProofYOUth

#SocialInclusion

means making future generations that can take care of one another, recognize and appreciate differences and work together to achieve common goals.

#FutureProofYOUth

#FutureSkills

means producing youth who have the skills and work ethic that allows them to contribute and adapt to a changing workplace and make Hong Kong’s economy competitive.

#FutureProofYOUth means generations that can build a #StrongerHongKong

WHAT WE DO Every Outward Bound Hong Kong course delivers our mission; Outward Bound is a non-profit making organisation created to help people discover and develop their potential to care for themselves, others and the world around them through challenging experiences in unfamiliar settings.

We focus on developing the elements of our Educational Framework so that participants can transfer their development back to their daily lives and contribute fully.

DEVELOPING THE INDIVIDUAL CONFIDENCE

SELF-AWARENESS

RESPONSIBILITY

BUILDING THE COMMUNITY COMPASSION

COMMUNICATION

LEADERSHIP

CONNECTING WITH NATURE APPRECIATION & UNDERSTANDING

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WELLBEING

SENSE OF PLACE

WHY OUTDOOR EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING? Watching a sunset from a beach with your group mates. Visiting abandoned villages set in the remote hills of the Country Parks. Sheltering from the awesome power of a thunderstorm. Being outdoors is vital to the impact of our courses.

Evidence shows that: • Nature has proven wellbeing benefits • The vast majority of young people in Hong Kong do not spend enough time outdoors in nature • Learning outdoors is more impactful • Young people are more willing to protect nature if they experience it first hand

40%

of land in Hong Kong has been designated as country parks and there are some incredible 78% 76% and inspiring landscapes.

They provide the best classroom for our high-impact courses.1

51.5%

71%

95%

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73%

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54%

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89%

HOW WE DO IT Outward Bound Hong Kong’s high-quality OUTDOOR EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION relies upon three essential components;

OUR PEOPLE

highly trained staff who can facilitate learning in the outdoor environment

OUR PROCESS

an intentional learning process based on research and proven to be effective

OUR PLACES

delivery in inspirational natural environments that provide challenge

SOFT SKILLS

OUR PEOPLE

OUR PROCESS

TE INAL SO I CAN RECREA IG R O LY P P SU E AS LE P MAXIMUM IMPACT HARD SKILLS

AUTHENTIC ADVENTURE

OUR PLACES

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In addition, in order to achieve our learning outcomes every course is planned to include key elements below: AUTHENTIC ADVENTURE – challenging participants means embarking on real adventures, which might be a journey by sea kayak, foot or yacht or experiencing rock climbing, abseiling or high-ropes course for the first time. By being challenged, participants have new experiences which provide teachable moments for our staff to help them grow as individuals and as a team.

DELIBERATE LEARNING – every course is planned specifically for the needs of the group and the desired learning outcomes. It changes along the way in response to participants’ needs and the conditions they encounter in the ever-changing natural environment. Our staff facilitate courses that are fun but recreation is not the main aim, we use outdoor activities to activitate learning through Educational Framework.

Our well-proven learning model and Educational Framework is vital to #FutureProofYOUth and building a STRONGER HONG KONG in the following key areas:

WELLBEING

ensuring our young people are feeling good and functioning well

SOCIAL INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY

making sure society benefits from everyone’s contributions

FUTURE SKILLS

making sure future generations can meet the demands of a vibrant and competitive economy

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WELLBEING Wellbeing is a complicated concept with many elements, but at Outward Bound Hong Kong we use a simple definition – it is when a young person, or group of people, is feeling good and functioning well2. It is a “sustainable condition that allows the individual or population to develop and thrive” and therefore includes both physical health and mental health.3 Even before the traumatic experiences of 2019 and the pandemic, the wellbeing of Hong Kong’s young people was a concern4. However, prolonged disruption to schooling, social interaction and future prospect since 2019 have increased anxiety, depression and sense of trauma5. If future generations are to flourish and meet their potential then there must be active intervention to protect young people and maintain their wellbeing. These interventions must78% include providing 40% 76% opportunities to develop awareness and strategies to help them cope during challenging times.

FACTS 95%

51.5% 40%

One78% in three HK76% primary school students is judged to be at 6 risk of suicide.

25% 51.5%

73% 51.5% school pupils now show symptoms of 19% 95% 71%of secondary depression, and 25% demonstrate clinically-high levels of anxiety.7

78% 69% 25%

71% D grade 69%

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%

54%

71%

76%

Among university undergraduates, 69% currently show symptoms of 24% 54% 19% depression, with 73% 54% suffering from anxiety.8 The 95% global Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth 9 gave 54% Hong Kong youth 89% 24% a D grade for cardio-respiratory fitness.

19% of primary school students in the school year 2019/20 73% was overweight and obese and that has increased during the 89% pandemic.10 24%

89%

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HOW DOES OUTWARD BOUND HONG KONG HELP? Spending time being active in the outdoors, with peers, overcoming the challenges presented during any an outdoor journey builds resilience that can be transferred to daily life and help overcome future unexpected circumstances. There is now extensive research that prove the 78% 76% benefits of outdoor experiential education in promoting wellbeing in young people.

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71% of participants in Outward Bound courses continued 95% higher in emotional control 6 months after the to score course experience.11 78% 73% participants report an increase in resilience after an OBHK course and 76% report an increase in 76% self-responsibility, making them better prepared to cope with future challenges and formulate their own solutions. 12 24% 95% have shown students who attend residential Studies experiences are better equipped to cope with unanticipated challenges.

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19%

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“More focus should be given to enhancing the mental wellbeing of young people, amid the pressure they 24% experience in education and other facets of life.” 13 Youth Development Strategy for Hong Kong: Public Engagement Report (Commission on Youth) 89%

SOCIAL INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY If Hong Kong is to flourish then it must proactively find ways to build community and consciously promote social inclusion14, and “funded community development initiatives remain an extremely important facet in the improvement of social inclusion.”15 By actively promoting an inclusive society, everyone benefits. Evidence shows that inclusion increases productivity and economic growth while at the same time reducing spending and physical76% health and social services.16 40% on mental 78% FACTS Of the 1.1 million population aged 19 or under in Hong Kong; 51.5%

71%

95%

An estimated 30,000 live with disabilities

25%

69%

Approximately 25% of children in Hong Kong are from 73% 19% disadvantaged groups17 50,000 are from ethnic minorities 54%

24%

Ethnic diversity is increasing, as the non-ethnic Chinese annual population growth rate is at 5.8% compared to 0.5% for the general population18 89%

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HOW DOES OUTWARD BOUND HONG KONG HELP? Outward 76% Bound courses require young people to work together to achieve shared goals, look after one another and reflect upon each other’s strengths. This shared experience in an unfamiliar setting creates unique bonds that extend back into school, home and the community.

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95% of Outward Bound Hong Kong participants are willing to offer other people a helping hand, without looking for anything in return after their course and 73% increase their compassion.

Outdoor experiential education promotes social connectedness and improves social leadership skills.19 Shared experiences in the outdoors promote self-belief and positive relationships between participants.20 For under-represented sections of society it also builds essential confidence and resilience allowing them to flourish.

“Improving social inclusion is a source of economic strength and higher living standards. Having an inclusive society avoids the costs incurred when people are excluded – from jobs, from businesses and from accessing social services.” 21 Deloitte

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FUTURE SKILLS 76%

Hong Kong’s school shutdown has been one of the world’s longest and “Educators in Hong Kong are sounding the alarm that pupils are falling behind in their learning and social development, possibly irreversibly.” 22 This95% disruption coincides with a paradigm shift in the workplace which is demanding different skills of employees to meet the challenges and needs of the new economy.

40% of current workers’ core skills are predicted to change in the next 5 years.23 When combined with the disabling effects of the pandemic, it is essential that Hong Kong invests in the future readiness of its youth. A return to the existing system 76% 73% will not provide what is required.

FACTS The World Economic Forum have identified the top 10 skills of the future workplace to be related to ‘Problem Solving’, ‘Self-management’, ‘Working with People’ and ‘Technology Use & Development’. 24

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95% 24%

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73% 89%

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A recent report predicts a 24% increase in the work hours requiring “soft skills”. 26

80% 89%

‘#FutureProofYOUth’ Hong Kong Research’ revealed that 80% of respondents consider current opportunities to develop future skills to be inadequate.

89% of executives within the Asia Pacific region report that it is difficult to find people with the required soft skills. 25

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HOW DOES OUTWARD BOUND HONG KONG HELP? Our staff facilitate learning which prepares participants for the demands of the future, whether that is the workplace or further education. Our courses provide opportunities for participants to develop teamwork, leadership, communication skills, resilience and compassion, all of which are soft skills which will be in demand.

Research shows OBHK participation effectively develops young people’s Future Skills, especially problem solving, self-management and teamwork.

Students who spend time outdoors perform better and have better educational outcomes.27 Participation in outdoor education has been shown to develop the skills needed to be successful in the workplace.28 Studies have shown that participation in outdoor education develops Teamwork, Leadership, Confidence and Time Management, all of which are identified as essential ‘soft skills’.29 “By providing a strong base of soft skills, an education system can serve as a catalyst not only for an increased adaptability to future jobs, but also for a generally improved quality of life.” 30 World Economic Forum

CONCLUSION

#FutureProofYOUth Our young people are our future. We have a responsibility to ensure that they are adequately prepared to contribute to Hong Kong‘s future.

The issues outlined in these pages should energise educators, social organisations, Testimonial from a group of Hong Kong youth decision makers and funders to invest in opportunities for holistic development so that we can all benefit.

The benefits of providing quality outdoor experiential education are well known and every Hong Kong youth deserves to benefit so that they can be part of Hong Kong’s successful future. A recent report showed that every $1 invested in an Outward Bound experience returned $13 in social benefits during the participants’ lifetime.

Providing opportunities for youth to fulfil their own potential and contribute to their community must be a priority as Hong Kong plans for its recovery from the turmoil and disruption of the past few years.

Outward Bound Hong Kong must be part of that recovery.

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HOW YOU CAN HELP?​ As a charity, we serve those in need. Join us, together we can support and #FutureProofYOUth in the local community.​ BE OUR PARTNER: ​ Make a major gift​ Become a regular donor​ Sponsor a training program​ Legacy giving ​ Join fundraising events ​ CSR program​​ Please contact: fundraising@outwardbound.org.hk​ TAKE PART IN OUR JOURNEY ​ Community courses School courses Corporate courses Open-enrolment courses ​ ROMOTION & MEDIA CONTACT​ P Please contact: mktobhk@gmail.com

STAY CONNECTED​

Tai Mong Tsai Sai Kung New Territories Hong Kong ​ Tel : (852) 2792 4333 ​​ Enquiry: info@outwardbound.org.hk www.outwardbound.org.hk