WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1974
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REVIEW OF 5-YEAR SOCIAL WELFARE PLAN
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THE 1974 REVIEW OF THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES IN HONG KONG HAS BEEN COMPLETED. THE REVIEW INVOLVED A DETAILED STUDY OF THE PLAN WITH THE AIM OF ENSURING THAT IT REMAINS ON COURSE, THAT PROJECTS FOR COMING YEARS REMAIN RELEVANT, AND THAT PROVISION IS MADE FOR THE PLAN TO BE EXTENDED BY A FURTHER YEAR.
THE RESULTS OF THE, REVIEW HAVE BEEN SET OUT IN THE FORM OF A REPORT WHICH IS NOW BEING DISTRIBUTED TO THOSE IN THE SOCIAL. WELFARE FIELD CONCERNED WITH IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN. THE REPORT IS, HOWEVER, A TECHNICAL DOCUMENT AND AS SUCH, IS LARGELY MADE UP OF DETAILED TABLES AND ANALYSES. IT FOLLOWS THAT IT IS NOT DESIGNED FOR GENERAL READING. NEVERTHELESS, THE REPORT IS AVAILABLE FOR CONSULTATION ON APPLICATION TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT BY ALL WHO ARE INTERESTED IN ITS CONTENT.
MR. FREDERICK CLARK, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, EXPLAINED THAT THE REPORT HAD NOTED THE ACHIEVEMENTS COMPLETED) OK IN PROGRESS UNDER THE PLAN IN THE FIRST TWO YEARS (1973-1974), HAD EXAMINED IN DEPTH THE PROJECTS IN TRAIN FOR 1975, AND FINALLY HAD LOOKED MORE BROADLY AT THOSE SCHEDULED FOR 1976 AND ONWARDS WHILE AGREEING FURTHER PROJECTS FOR THE EXTENSION OF THE PLAN TO COVER 1979 AND BEYOND.
MR. CLARK ADDED THAT DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF THE PLAN, 1973. A TOTAL OF 54 PROJECTS HAD BEEN SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED INCLUDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DISABILITY AND INFIRMITY ALLOWANCES
HE STRESSED, SCHEME AND THE INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL WORK TRAINING, HOWEVER, THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN RELIED UPON A FIRM
IT WAS PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR AND GOVERNMENT. 'THEREFORE PARTICULARLY PLEASING TO NOTE THAT THE FIRST YEAR'S PROJECTS INCLUDED THE OPENING OF THE PO LEUNG KUK NEW WELFARE BUILDING AND THE MARYCOVE CENTRE FOR GIRLS UNDERTAKEN BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
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THE REVIEW OF THE PLAN TOOK PLACE OVER A PERIOD OF FIVE MONTHS AND INVOLVED ABOUT 30 MEETINGS AT WHICH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE TOCETHER WITH SOCIAL WORKERS FROM SPECIFIC VOLUNTARY AGENCIES MET TOGETHER AND FREELY DISCUSSED ALL ASPECTS OF THE PLAN AND ITS FUTURE LEADING TO THE PREPARATION OF THE REVIEW REPORT.
THE INCLUSION OF A PARTICULAR PROJECT IN THE 5-YEAR-PLAN AND THE REVIEW, HE POINTED OUT, DOES NOT OF COURSE REPRESENT A
THIS IS BECAUSE CIRCUMSTANCES GUARANTEE OF IMPLEMENTATION. CHANGE AND THERE IS ALWAYS NEED TO DETERMINE POLICY IN LIGHT OF THE LATEST EVIDENCE AND ALSO OF THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE.