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SOCIAL WELFARE
The Evaluation Section is responsible for developing, monitoring and reviewing the departmental system for the evaluation of services provided by the subvented agencies to ensure that public funds are used effectively and that the standards of service provided are satisfactory. In this connection, district staff of the department conduct regular visits to subvented service units. Summaries of reports arising from these visits are presented to the Social Welfare Advisory Committee when subvention applications are considered. In addition, the section conducts in-depth evaluations of individual subvented social welfare programmes and organisations as well as experimental projects financed by the Lotteries. Fund, the Community Chest and the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club. In 1983, six such studies were conducted.
Community Building
To counter the effects of rapid development and high density living, the government attaches great importance to promoting community building which aims at creating a cohesive and harmonious society. Community building seeks to foster a sense of belonging and mutual care and responsibility through supporting citizens' organisations and promot- ing citizens' interest in and commitment to the community through participation.
A number of government departments and non-government organisations contribute towards the community building programme. The Community Building Policy Committee was formed in 1977 to co-ordinate a territory-wide network of services and facilities. The City and New Territories Administration and the Social Welfare Department contribute directly to community building at the district and neighbourhood level. Through its network of district offices and sub-offices spread over the territory, the City and New Territories Administration is primarily concerned with promoting mutual care and concern and a community spirit through community organisations such as mutual aid committees, area committees, kaifong welfare associations, rural committees, women's_organisations, service clubs and local arts and sports associations. The Social Welfare Department is responsible for various aspects of group and community work which aim at promoting the social development of individuals and groups and to foster a greater sense of community responsibility. Purpose-built community centre facilities, run either by the department or by voluntary agencies, are provided throughout the territory to serve as bases for community building work.