September 24, 2007, Hong Kong – Organized by the AIA Foundation, the annual Young Leaders Development Program today presented prizes and certificates to the 33 young leaders who successfully completed the Program. The awards recognize the young leaders for their outstanding performance and for making good role models for the next generation. At the ceremony, AIA Foundation Scholarships were also presented to 21 students from Hong Kong and Macau.

Mr. Derek Yung, Senior Vice President of the AIA Foundation said, "Education has been one of the key objectives of the AIA Foundation since its establishment. Major initiatives including the Young Leaders Development Program and Scholarship scheme, have the mission to nurture more young people in Hong Kong and Macau to become the future pillars of the society."

"Since its launch in 1996, the Young Leaders Development Program has achieved excellent results with strong support from all sectors of the community. To date, the number of participants in the Program has exceeded 300. Going forward, the AIA Foundation will continue to enrich the Program's content. We hope that the young leaders and scholarship recipients will give back to the society by participating actively in community service and make themselves positive role models," Mr. Derek Yung added.

At today's ceremony, the AIA Foundation also presented scholarships to 21 students. Launched in 1995, the AIA Foundation Scholarship aims to provide financial support to university students in Hong Kong and Macau in recognition of their outstanding academic performances and strong involvement in social services. Over the past 12 years, the AIA Foundation has granted scholarships of over HK$4 million to about 220 students.

Based on overall performance and the research reports of the Program's participants, students from City University of Hong Kong took home "The Most Outstanding Team Award" and "The Best Report-Writing Award". Ms. Joe Kwok from the same university also won "The Most Outstanding Young Leader Award". "The Best Presentation Award" went to students from The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Thirty-three students from the seven local universities were selected to participate in the Young Leaders Development Program this year. Over the past five months, the participants took part in a series of training programs, including orientation training camp, social service workshop, communication skills workshop, adventure training camp, leadership workshop and professional image workshop. Graduate alumni of the program were invited to share their experiences on how to demonstrate the qualities of a young leader in daily life at the "Leadership in Action" session. An overseas study tour was also arranged for the young leaders to experience the life and culture of Singapore as well as to broaden their horizons.

This year's list of guest speakers for Speakers' Platform comprised Mr. T.C. Cheng, Executive Vice President and Regional Senior Life Executive, American International Assurance Company Ltd.; Prof. Paul Chu, President of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; Mr. Stephen Chan, General Manager of Broadcasting, Television Broadcasts Limited; Ms. Christine Fang, Chief Executive of Hong Kong Council of Social Service and Mr. Douglas Young, Chief Executive Officer of G.O.D..

To promote understanding of the concept and benefits of money management, the program also involved a financial planning competition. Participants were required to design a financial plan for a working youth to achieve his target at different stages of life. Another activity was to develop a brand new medical insurance plan to address the market needs arising from medical reform.

Established in April 1995 under the initiative of American International Assurance Co., Ltd, the AIA Foundation is a non-profit-making organization set up to extend support to worthwhile charitable causes. The objective of the Foundation is to assist educational, medical, sports and community programs.

AIA is one of the largest life insurers in Southeast Asia, with branch offices, subsidiaries and affiliated companies located in countries and jurisdictions including Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Australia, Brunei, Guam, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. AIA markets a full line of life insurance products through a multi-channel distribution system, whose core franchise is an extensive agency force.

AIA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American International Group, Inc. (AIG). AIG, world leaders in insurance and financial services, is the leading international insurance organization with operations in more than 130 countries and jurisdictions. AIG companies serve commercial, institutional and individual customers through the most extensive worldwide property-casualty and life insurance networks of any insurer. In addition, AIG companies are leading providers of retirement services, financial services and asset management around the world. AIG's common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, as well as the stock exchanges in Paris, Switzerland and Tokyo.