THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1978,

COMMUNITY BUILDING IN THE NEW TERRITORIES

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THE SUCCESS OF COMMUNITY BUILDING IN THE NEW TERRITORIES BEDO CLOSE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. JOHN TODD, SAID TODAY.

ADDRESSING THE CASTLE PEAK LION'S CLUE, MR. TODD SAID COMMUNITY BUILDING CAN BE DIVIDED INTO THREE MAIN TARGET AREAS.

+THE FIRST OF THESE IS THE PROMOTION OF A SENSE OF SOCIAL RESPONS TE ILITY AND A SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE COMMUNITY, HE SAID.

THIS, HE SAID, COULD BEST DE FOSTERED THROUGH ESTABLISHING AND ENCOURAGING CITIZENS ORGANISATIONS AT THE NEIGHBOURHOOD AND IISTRICT LEVELS, INCLUDING RURAL COMMITTEES, KAIFONG ASSOCIATIONS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, CLANSMAN ASSOCIATIONS, COMMUNITY SERVICE GROUPS AND OTHER VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS,

+ THROUGH THESE ORGANISATIONS, EFFORTS CAN BE MADE TO ASSIST AND ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO DEVELOP SOCIAL CONCERN AND AWARENESS OF MUTUAL PROBLEMS,+ HE SAID.

MR. TODD SAID THE SECOND MAJOR TASK AS TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN SEGULAR CONTACTS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE THECUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.

THE DISTRICT OFFICERS 11. THE NEW TERRITORIES ARE EXPANDING THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE I ALLKOR SETTLEMENTS TO HELP EXPLAN GOVERNMENT POLICIES TO THE LOCAL PEOPLE AND TO HELP THE÷

ITH FROELEMS HICH THEY FIND 11. THEIR DAILY LIVES.

F

REPRESENTATIVES FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS MENTIONED EARLIER HELP TO KEEP THEIR MEMBERS INFORMED OF MAJOR GOVERNMENT POLICIES

WD DECISIONS AND TO KEEP COVERYMENT INFORMED OF THE VIEWS OF THE IP MEMBERS, HE SAID.

+TRADITIONAL BODIES SUCH AS THE RURAL COMMITTEES AND THE EL TERRITORIES HEUNG YEE KUK AND NEW BODIES SUCH AS THE DISTRICT MOVISORY SCARDS ALSO PROVIDE DIRECT CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION DETVEE THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE -- LOCAL RESIDENTS OR NEWCOMERS ALIKE.

+THESE ALSO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO DISCUSS POLICY ISSUES AND ENABLE DECISION MAKERS IN THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT PUBLIC OPINION WHEN DECIDING ON NEW POLICIES,+ SAID PR. TODO.

AS

HE ADDED THAT CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IS STILL RELATIVELY ME.. IN THE NEW TERRITORIES BUT

ELON ED LY GOVERNMENT DEPARTE +IT MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR THE TO TAKE LOCAL CP ION INTO ACCOUNT WHEN DECIDING THE IS POLICIES E PUTTING THEM INTO OPERATION. +

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THE THIRD

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