Talking Points: What can Hongkongers do to help the Syrian refugees?
Hate it when you can't talk back? Well, you can with Young Post. Have your say and share with students around Hong Kong
Billy Yip, 16, Law Ting Pong Secondary School
Instead of donating things, I think Hongkongers should provide job opportunities to refugees. This is the best way to help them, as it would boost Hong Kong's economy, while giving the newcomers work skills they can take elsewhere if they move on.
Hong Kong has a labour shortage, especially in the building and catering industries. Refugees can do these jobs instead of us.
Ashley Au Hiu-nam, 16, Fanling Rhenish Church Secondary School
We can donate to charities working with refugees, such as Unicef, World Vision and UNHCR, the UN refugee agency. Whether it's money, useful items, or books, it's easy to donate and you can choose how much to give. In addition, it's important to stay informed about the Syrian refugee situation. Subscribing to a newsletter of an organisation working with the refugees is a good way to get the latest information.
Education is vital to raising public awareness about the issue. Such activities can help students to stay in touch with global issues and encourage them to cherish what they have.
Hong Kong is a stable city, and many of us ignore the conflicts that are happening elsewhere. Syrian refugee problems are getting worse. The children who have been innocent victims of wars lost their homeland, as well as their opportunities to go to school and have a happy childhood. Don't hesitate to lend a helping hand!
Sebiha Amjad, 13, Tak Nga Secondary School
Syrian refugees urgently need food, clothing, medical care, shelter, and more. As winter approaches, they'll particularly need warm clothes and shoes.
Hong Kong Red Cross has a long way to go to reach the HK$500,000 they hope to collect by the end of the year.
The charity has distributed food and relief items to three million people, and is working to ensure 20 million people across Syria have access to safe water. Local schools can organise fundraising events to help the refugees.
I encourage my family and friends and whoever is reading this to make donations.
Last but not least, please do not discriminate against refugees because of the Paris attacks. The refugees, especially the children, are innocent. Please think about them and help: we should all act together.
Michael Li, 15, SKH Tsang Shiu Tim Secondary School
There are charities that help refugees from Syria and other parts of the world.
Organisations like Migrant Offshore Aid Station and Refugees Welcome help those escaping violence in their home country, as well as those choosing to stay in war-torn Syria.
They don't just provide aid and supplies, they also offer support by sending boats to rescue those travelling by sea, and making sure Syrian children can still go to school.
These charities have limited resources. So they need more money to carry out their humanitarian work.
While making more donations, Hongkongers should use social media to urge European governments to let refugees enter and support them in finding new homes.
The attacks in Paris might turn people against the refugees arriving in Europe. That's why it's important to spread the word that not all the refugees are criminals, and they should be given the right to seek asylum because of the terrible situation at home.
All Hongkongers have a duty to help Syrian refugees.
Yolanda Pan Hai-yi, 17, Leung Shek Chee College
The people of Syria are going through tough times because of the country's civil war. Many people have left their homeland and moved to Europe.
It is hard to deal with the refugee problem, because it involves many political issues. Even if Hong Kong accepts some of the refugees, the culture clashes may prove difficult to overcome.
So what can we do to help solve the problem? We can donate money to the United Nations and MSF (Doctors without Borders) to provide medical help for refugees.
The funds can also be used to build camps in Syria's neighbouring countries, so refugees can easily go home when the situation becomes more stable.
Tell us what you think in the comment box below.
You're welcome to join the conversation. In our next Talking Points, we'll discuss:
Should there be a limit to how much property one person can own?
We are now accepting answers from readers for this new topic. To take part, email your answer with your name, age and school, along with a nice, clear selfie (make sure it's not blurry), to [email protected] by Monday lunchtime next week.