RECREATION, SPORT AND THE ARTS
All' and to encourage people of all ages and from all walks of life to participate in sports and recreational activities.
The sports promotion and development programmes in 2002 included the Young Athletes Training Scheme, School Sports Programme, Community Sports Club Project, District Sports Teams and Age Group Competitions. The department also administered a Sports Subsidy Scheme to provide financial assistance to National Sports Associations to organise sports programmes for young people and designated sports venues for use by National Sports Associations as National Squad Training Centres.
To provide better service to the public, the LCSD has implemented in phases a new mode of operation at recreational venues. An Assistant Leisure Services Manager II acts as venue manager to provide one-stop service at each recreational venue. Members of the public may book facilities, register and pay charges for recreation programmes, and obtain professional advice and assistance on using facilities and sports programming all at one venue. In 2002, a total of 114 recreational venues began to provide one-stop service.
The LCSD successfully amalgamated the two different computer booking systems of the former Provisional Urban Council and Provisional Regional Council into a new 'LCSD Leisure Link' booking system in March. The new system enables members of the public to book leisure facilities and enrol in recreation and sport programmes across Hong Kong conveniently through booking counters, telephone service and the Internet.
In support of the Government's policy to make Hong Kong green, the LCSD in 2002 carried out extensive tree planting programmes in parks and playgrounds, as well as on roadsides. In addition, various educational and community activities were organised to promote public awareness of the importance of greening. In cultural services, good progress continued to be made in reviewing the existing policy on heritage preservation. The department will provide additional funds for preservation of Hong Kong's cultural heritage and thereby also support the development of tourism.
The LCSD has engaged consultancy firms to review, respectively, the future development of Hong Kong's public libraries, the provision of regional/district cultural and performance facilities and the mode of governance of museums, with a view to formulating a strategy for future development of these services.
The Arts
Culture and Heritage Commission
The Culture and Heritage Commission was established by the Government in 2000. It is a high-level advisory body responsible for advising the Government on cultural policies as well as funding priorities in culture and the arts. The commission's key responsibility is to formulate a set of principles and strategies to promote the long- term development of culture in Hong Kong.
In March 2001, the commission published a consultation paper entitled 'Gathering of Talents for Continual Innovation' to solicit public views on strategies for cultural development. The strategies put forward by the commission have gained wide public support. In November 2002, the second consultation paper entitled 'Identity with
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