+
Wednesday, October 17, 1973
The plan will now be reviewed each year so as to provide a constant
5-year projection. Implementation of the plan has started well. The Secretary
for Social Services will be going into details later in the debate and I
only wish to refer to one or two points. The new Institute for Social
Work Training has now been established and opened last month. I do hope
it will be dynamic. It will provide the community with an increasing and
badly needed supply of trained social workers. But I hope that it will
also have a major impact on the lines along which social work in Hong Kong
develops. It should be both a forcing house for new ideas, and a further
forum for the analysis and exchange of practical experience.
I should also like to make a special mention of Community Development
and Youth projects. The Executive Council has approved, aubject to the
provision of funds by Finance Committee, a 5 year plan for the provision
of 14 community centres and 89 community halls, youth centres and estate
welfare centres aimed at bringing community facilities within the reach
of all sectors of the community.
+
It has also approved, on the same terms, provision of additional
services involving the progressive appointment of a network of officers to
promote community and youth activities in all districts in Hong Kong.
These schemes could become of great importance. They can make
a special contribution to a society as young as this. They touch an age
group particularly vulnerable to criminal influence.
Moreover I believe
that in the circumstances of Hong Kong provision of community facilities is
an essential step on the road to responsible citizenship and civic sense.
/Education