The Department of Justice is always committed to upholding the rule of law. Last year, we launched the Vision 2030 for Rule of Law initiative to promote the proper understanding of the rule of law in the community especially among the youth. In the coming new school year, the department will continue to introduce diversified activities for primary and secondary students to advance their understanding and practice of the rule of law.
In February this year, the department, through touring drama performances for all citywide primary schools, conveys the basic concepts of the rule of law and cultivates law-abiding awareness in a lively and interesting way to students. As to secondary students, the department supports the launch of the Pilot Scheme on Rule of Law Education for Secondary School Students by the Hong Kong Policy Research Institute (HKPRI) in the 2020-21 academic year. Lawyers were invited to serve as facilitators while law students and graduates served as ambassadors. Secondary students are able to grasp the proper core concepts of the rule of law after taking part in seminars, interactive games and group discussions.
The department also assists in the preparation of teaching materials on the rule of law. For instance, the Basic Law Foundation’s e-Resources for Rule of Law & the Basic Law, which was supported by the department, provides a series of teaching materials on the Constitution, the Basic Law and the rule of law for teachers of secondary schools. At the same time, the department is in support of the training course “Respecting the Law, Reinforcing the Rule of Law” co-organised by the Endeavour Education Centre and the Education Bureau for teachers from both primary and secondary schools. The course covers topics including the Constitution, the Basic Law, national security, Hong Kong’s legal system and the rule of law, etc., with a view to fostering the promotion of the rule of law education.
In the new school year, the department will not only continue the above programmes, but also stand ready to introduce the Rule of Law Enlightenment Programme to further promote the rule of law in a more interesting way with enriched content. To name a few:
School talks: students can raise questions at the talk to enhance interaction; Prosecution Week: Quiz and visit to courts will be arranged for students; Rule of Law Journey: students can learn more of the legal development through visits to the Hong Kong Legal Hub.
To highlight the importance of abiding by the law and the application of law in our daily life, the department will organise a law quiz competition for primary students. A video competition will be held in which secondary students are encouraged to share their thoughts on the rule of law.
If you are interested in any of our programmes, please do not hesitate to read the latest booklet on Vision 2030 for Rule of Law.
The rule of law is the cornerstone of Hong Kong’s success. Everyone in society shoulders the responsibility to promote the proper concept of the rule of law. I would like to thank the HKPRI, the Basic Law Foundation and the Endeavour Education Centre for joining hands with the department in supporting rule of law education. The department will actively strengthen rule of law education so as to further enhance the proper understanding and practice of the rule of law amongst youth.
Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng wrote this article and posted it on her blog on September 4.
http://dlvr.it/S6wn15
