SOCIAL WELFARE
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of life in general. While the Home Affairs Branch has policy responsibility for the programme, the Home Affairs Department and the Social Welfare Department are principally responsible for its implementation. The Home Affairs Department, through its network of district offices, is primarily concerned with promoting mutual care and community spirit through local organisations such as area committees, mutual aid committees, rural committees, kaifong welfare associations, women's organisations and local arts and sports associations.
The Social Welfare Department, through a wide range of group and community work activities by the department and the NGOs, promotes social relationships and cohesion within the community and encourages individuals to help solve community problems. Some of these activities offer welfare services where provision is inadequate or to meet the welfare needs of special groups of individuals or families.
Commission On Youth
The Commission on Youth was established in February 1990 with members appointed by the Governor. Its main objectives are to advise on matters pertaining to youth, initiate research, promote co-operation and co-ordination in the provision of youth services and serve as a liaison point with other international youth organisations for exchange programmes.
During the year, the commission began preparing for the first biennial review of the Implementation of the Charter for Youth which was developed in April 1993. = -The review conference was held in November 1995 with about 500 participants. A proposal will be developed setting out the areas of common concern for youth service providers' reference.
The commission completed a study on underage drinking and another on classification of films and publications in 1995. Recommendations on these two subjects were presented to the relevant government departments. After completing a study on a supportive system for youth in 1994, a working group was set up to undertake a second-phase study targeted on working youth. Two other working groups have also been established to examine the moral values of youth and AIDS- related issues among marginal youth.
A youth resource centre was opened in December 1995. The centre, which aims to promote the well-being of young people in Hong Kong, provides resource material on youth matters to parties concerned. More than 1 000 reference books, reports, video tapes and youth-related journals are provided at the centre.
Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education
The Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education was set up by the government in May 1986 to promote civic awareness and responsibility throughout the com- munity. Made up largely of non-government members, it advises the government and community organisations on the objectives and scope of civic education. It encourages, through sponsorship, community efforts in organising civic education activities among different age groups.
With an extra grant of $20 million over a three-year period from 1995-96, the committee was able to expand its educational programmes on equal opportunities and human rights. In 1995-96, it focused on several issues under the general theme of human rights education, including civic rights and representative government, equal