Leadership & Service Learning Education. This item is unavailable.Leadership & Service Learning Education

Adolescent risk behavior is a growing problem in the global context. In many places, efforts are carried out to prevent the occurrence of adolescent risk behavior and to identify the best intervention options. In view of the growing magnitude of adolescent risk behavior, one question is how we can "explain" such behavior. Traditionally, people tend to find answers "within" adolescents. Explanations such as "weak mindedness", "lack of determination" and "laziness" have been shared in people in different cultures. While these beliefs are widely held, there is no scientific support for such explanations. Fundamentally, promotion of psychosocial competencies is at the heart of positive youth development and psychosocial competence is closely related to leadership skills in adolescents. In view of the developmental issues faced by Chinese university students and taking advantage of higher education reform in Hong Kong, a subject entitled "Tomorrow's Leaders" is offered to around 2,000 students every year. Based on our evaluation of this project, we strongly encourage colleagues to make similar initiatives elsewhere to create leadership for the future.

Daniel TL Shek, PhD, FHKPS, BBS, SBS, JP, is Associate Vice President (undergraduate Programme) and Chair Professor of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hunghom, Hong Kong, PRC, Advisory Professor of East China Normal University, Honorary Professor of Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau and Adjunct Professor, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, United States. He is Chief Editor of Journal of Youth Studies and Applied Research in Quality of Life, past Consulting Editor of Journal of Clinical Psychology, and editorial board member of Social Indicators Research, International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health, Asian Journal of Counseling, International Journal on Disability and Human Development, International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health and Journal of Adolescent Health. He has served in many government advisory bodies, including the Action Committee against Narcotics, Commission on Youth, Fight Crime Committee and Family Council. He has published numerous books, book chapters and more than 500 scientific articles in international refereed journals.