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SOCIAL WELFARE
The Social Welfare Advisory Committee which is appointed by the Governor and consists of leading unofficials advises the government on all matters of social welfare policy and on applications for subventions and grants from the Lotteries Fund from voluntary agencies. The Social Welfare Planning Committee, appointed by the Director of Social Welfare, is concerned with the forward planning of social welfare services and was involved especially in the preparation of the White Paper and the five year plan. It comprises members of the voluntary social welfare agencies, the Hong Kong Council of Social Service and the Social Welfare Department. Both committees are chaired by the Director of Social Welfare.
Co-ordination of work in the social welfare field is achieved by the department and by the Council of Social Service by maintaining close contact and co-operation with voluntary agencies, which play a significant role in the provision of social welfare services. Appendix 42 lists 93 voluntary organisations which are affiliated to the Hong Kong Council of Social Service. Many of these organisations receive a government subvention, but they also attract considerable support both locally and overseas. Local support may be gauged by the donations made to the Community Chest which in 1972-3 raised $11.6 million for distribution to 65 member organisations. A list of members of the Community Chest is given in Appendix 42.
Apart from increased spending for the maintenance of existing services and the establishment of new capital projects generally associated with normal progress, there have been significant new developments. Foremost among these was the introduction of the new Disability and Infirmity Allowance Scheme under which non-contributory, flat rate allowances are paid without an income limit to the elderly infirm and the severely disabled. This is a new departure in the field of social security and one that is specifically suited to the special needs and circumstances of Hong Kong.
Group and Community Work
Y
The objectives of community development in Hong Kong are to create a more cohesive and stable society and to instil a sense of individual and collective responsi- bility into the community. The Social Welfare Department has a dual role to play. Firstly it provides social and recreational facilities such as community centres contain- ing communal halls, libraries, clubs for all ages, day nurseries, as well as casework services and various forms of vocational training. These centres help people to develop a sense of identity and responsibility in the community by encouraging the formation of groups sharing common interests. The department also operates community halls and estate welfare buildings which conveniently bring together under one roof the welfare services for people living in public housing estates. The long term aim is to put either an estate welfare building, a community hall or a community centre within easy reach of all sections of Hong Kong's population.
Secondly the department is engaged in establishing a network of 15 Community and Youth Officers on a district basis throughout Hong Kong. Their purpose is to develop and co-ordinate community and youth activities in close co-operation with the City District Officers in the urban areas and the District Officers in the New Terri- tories. Eleven Community and Youth Officers were appointed during the year.