On December 1, Cathay Pacific Airways launched the third "I Can Fly" programme, in which 1,000 young Hong Kong people, aged 15 to 18, will embark on a four-month-long series of activities that will teach them about aviation and at the same time enable them to help others in the community.

On December 1, the inaugural ceremony for the latest "I Can Fly" programme was held in the afternoon at the Hong Kong International Trade & Exhibition Centre in Kowloon Bay with all 1,000 members in attendance. Officiating guests at the ceremony were Paul Tang JP, Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare with the Hong Kong SAR Government, Y K Leung, Deputy Director-General of Civil Aviation, and Tony Tyler, Chief Executive of Cathay Pacific.

During the ceremony the young members took a pledge to serve the community, learn more about aviation and to "reach for their dreams". Over the next four months they will be involved in a series of educational activities, mentored by Cathay Pacific pilots, where will they learn about different aspects of aviation. They will also embark on self-designed social service activities under the watchful eye of Cathay Pacific staff volunteers.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Tony Tyler said that as Hong Kong's home carrier the airline has a great responsibility to give something back to the community it serves. "'I Can Fly' is just one of the ways in which we work to be a good corporate citizen," he said.

"We are certainly proud to be able to help 1,000 young Hong Kong people realise their dreams through 'I Can Fly' - including 100 teenagers from our 'home town' of Tung Chung. Our young people are the future of Hong Kong, and it's important to set them out on the right path in life. That's what we aim to achieve through 'I Can Fly'."

Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare Paul Tang said that besides benefitting from the programme, "I Can Fly" participants will also be able to make a contribution. "They will take part in various community-support initiatives and will have the opportunity to help the needy, such as children with disabilities, underprivileged children and the elderly. The inclusion of this social element has made the programme all the more remarkable and meaningful," said Mr Tang.

Over the next four months, "I Can Fly" members will be assessed on their performance in the various programme activities. The best performers in each of the 20 "I Can Fly" groups - each named after people or aircraft from Cathay Pacific's history - will be able to take part in various reward activities. After the programme ends in April, the very top performers will be invited to join an aviation-related trip overseas.

Photograph 1: Officiating guests at the "I Can Fly" launch ceremony include (from left) Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Tony Tyler, Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare Paul Tang and Deputy Director-General of Civil Aviation Y K Leung.

Photograph 2: Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare Paul Tang helps to hand over the "I Can Fly" flag to members of the 2007/2008 "I Can Fly" programme.

Photograph 3: The highlight of the "I Can Fly" launch ceremony is the formation of "ICF" by the 1,000 new members.

Photograph 4: 1,000 youngsters will learn about aviation and contribute to the community at the same time through Cathay Pacific's "I Can Fly" programme.