On 14 and 15 June, over 100 energetic youngsters joined an exciting two-day orientation camp, which kicked off the summer training programmes organised by DAB every year. Activities included games, competitions, BBQs and sharing sessions.

In 2000, the DAB launched a "Greater Horizon" ─ a learning programme that gives students the opportunity to receive training in the Mainland. In 2001, it began to offer local summer internship training for tertiary students. This year, the local training has been extended to secondary school students, and has been renamed the "DAB Summer Internship 2008". The programmes run from July to August, and aim to provide a means for students to gain work experience in both the Mainland and Hong Kong, thereby expanding their international scope.

It is hoped that students will benefit greatly from this valuable hands-on training and that the experience will help equip them for a bright future, and provide them business and political insights and a better understanding of the DAB.

The local Industrial and Commercial programme allows 60 participants to work in various enterprises and professional organizations while the local Political programme sends 50 participants to DAB branches and offices of District Councillors and Legislative Councillors. There, the young participants have the rare opportunity to handle cases and organise activities. The DAB also arranges visits to Legislative Council and district boards as well as meetings with our councillors to share their experiences of community services.

This year 20 participants have joined the "Greater Horizon" programme and will receive training in five companies, run by Hong Kong entrepreneurs, in Guangdong. They can experience living in the Mainland and observe the differences in management and operations there.