Learn From the World-Changers

The Government has proposed the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy in the latest policy address. What's your impression of Fanling? Combining the heritage of a graceful colonial building with immersive and interactive technology, the Institute is committed to providing a variety of activities and training courses, allowing young people to play a leading role in creating a sustainable community. The Cultural Ambassador Programme aims to nurture future leaders in heritage conservation through systematic training and experience. Recently,  a graduation ceremony was held to celebrate their learning outcomes. The Ambassadors developed a deep interest in learning the history of the former Fanling Magistracy, exploring the unique culture of the North District and promoting the awareness of cultural heritage preservation. They even turned their passion into an exhibition - "Unveiling Fanling" thematic exhibition. Officiating guests included Mr Ivanhoe Chang, Commissioner for Heritage's Office; Miss Mathilda Lai, Assistant District Officer (North); Mr Eric Chan, Director of Corporate Affairs and Communications, Greater China, American Express and Mr Andy Ho, Executive Director of HKFYG were invited to kick-off the exhibition, celebrating the 60th birthday of the grade 3 historic building. 

Joyce Chu, a Form 5 student at Shung Tak Catholic English College shared her reasons for participating in the Programme, “this topic of heritage conservation is new to me and it is rarely discussed in school or other extracurricular activities. Therefore, I hope to challenge myself.” Another participant Capri Cheung who is studying at the Chinese University of Hong Kong also said, “during the training, I actively explored various ways through group discussions and reflected on how to strike a balance between conservation and development.”

The Programme aims to equip youth with future skills, engage culture and conservation enthusiasts and encourage cross-generation collaboration to push forward social sustainability. Ambassadors will regularly organise various themed activities to enhance the public’s awareness of heritage conservation and explore the North District.

透視粉嶺 - 展示文化傳承
 

在新一期施政報告中，政府提出構建「北部都會區」的願景計畫。你對粉嶺熟悉嗎? 學院作為人才培育的重要地方，致力提供多元項目和訓練課程，讓青年積極參與及發揮主導角色，營造可持續發展社區。通過「文化保育大使計劃」(「計劃」)，學院利用系統性培訓加強青年對文物保育作出承擔。透過「計劃」，大使加深了解前粉嶺裁判法院的歷史、探索北區的獨特文化及提高文物保護意識，更將他們對文化傳承的興趣策劃「透視粉嶺」主題展覽。適逢前粉嶺裁判法院啟用60周年，「計劃」日前舉行結業禮及「透視粉嶺」主題展覽開幕禮，並邀請文物保育專員蔣志豪先生、北區民政事務助理專員黎錫芊女士、美國運通大中華區企業事務總監陳國賢先生，以及香港青年協會總幹事何永昌先生出席活動。

現於天主教崇德英文書院就讀中五的大使朱姵欣分享其參加原因︰「我對文化保育這個課題感到陌生，學校甚至課外活動也甚少提及這方面的知識。因此我希望能透過計劃，挑戰一下自己。」另外一位就讀香港中文大學的大使張嘉柏亦分享其感受︰「我在培訓時透過不同的分組討論，積極探討各種可行方法，反思如何在活化和社會發展之間取得平衡。」

「計劃」旨在裝備青年未來技能，認識活化及保育歷史建築過程，亦鼓勵跨代溝通和協作，共同促進香港社會可持續發展。文化保育大使會定期籌辦各類型主題活動，帶領公眾探索及認識北區，並從中反思傳承和保育的重要性。

Are you aware that there are two sets of names fixed on the main facade of the building?
 
In 1961, it was first erected as the New Territories Magistracy. Its primary role was to gather the scattered court services in the New Territories. With the population growth in the 1980s, the number of cases continued to increase and along with the establishment of new court buildings in Tsuen Wan, Shatin and Tuen Mun, ‘New Territories Magistracy’ was formally renamed as ‘Fanling Magistracy’ in the 1990s and served only the North District. However, the original metal characters of the building names were removed and have already been restored by replicas to present the history and transformation of the former Fanling Magistracy. 

你知道學院訓練大樓門前分別有「新界裁判署」 及「粉嶺地方法院」兩個名字嗎?
 
於1960 年，當時政府為集中辦理新界各區的案件，決定興建新的裁判法院，故命名為「新界裁判署」。但到1980年代，隨著香港⼈口急速增長，新界各區如荃灣、沙田、屯門等也陸續興建新法院。因此，「新界裁判署」於1990年代正式改名為「粉嶺地方法院」，並只負責北區的案件，而原本的銅字亦已拆卸。然而，為了講述前粉嶺裁判法院的歷史和功能轉變，學院於活化時，便再次仿製銅字出來呈現公眾。