100. The study tour in Hong Kong comprised visits to a few selected agencies where participants could study, observe, discuss and evaluate with the agencies' administrators and staff, their in-service training and staff development programmes, including administrative structure, curriculum planning, teaching methology, problems and difficulties, etc. The whole study tour, conceived as an educational method in itself, received close co-operation between the Department and the voluntary agencies. Apart from Caritas, the Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association and the Yang Memorial Social Service Centre, and the Catholic Marriage Advisory Council which participated in conducting the study tour, another 11 agencies made available facilities for optional visits and 21 individuals offered hospitality to the participants.
CHAPTER VI
CONCLUSION
CONSULTATION AND CO-OPERATION WITH VOLUNTARY
WELFARE ORGANIZATIONS
101. Government assumes an overall responsibility for the welfare of the community, and provides some of the more essential and statutory social welfare services to achieve this end, but any report on the overall provision of services would be inadequate without a rec- ognition of the contribution of the very large number of voluntary organizations and dedicated workers who give such valuable service to the community. These range from organizations which have originated in missionary work in China to traditional local charitable bodies such as the Po Leung Kuk and the Kai Fong Associations, and inter- national agencies. Many of these organizations receive a government subvention but they also attract considerable financial support for their activities both overseas and locally.
102. The important part which these organizations play-and will continue to play-in the Hong Kong welfare field has required the building up of machinery for consultation, co-ordination and co- operation both between themselves and with the Government, not only to ensure the uniform development of necessary welfare services but also to achieve the best use of the resources available.
103. Co-ordination between the Social Welfare Department and voluntary agencies is maintained both by direct contact and by a pro-
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