"We hope that the publicity campaign, complemented by efforts of the education unit, can create an awareness of human rights issues in our society and to encourage a more extensive and active community participation in promotional and educational programmes," Dr Lo said.
"As our TV publicity film says, 'when we know all of our rights, if we protect our rights and respect the rights of others, Hong Kong will be a better place for us all." he added.
End/Tuesday, November 14, 1995
Social welfare In Hong Kong expands fast
Social welfare in Hong Kong is probably expanding faster than anywhere else in the world at the present time, the Director of Social Welfare, Mr Ian Strachan, said today (Tuesday).
Addressing the Lions Club of Kowloon Central, Mr Strachan said the government's social welfare philosophy was to help, where possible, those who were in need with the ultimate aim of enabling them to help themselves.
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He pointed out that five years ago the expenditure of the Social Welfare Department (SWD) was $5 billion and this year it had increased to $13 billion that was compound growth of 27 per cent per year, or 260 per cent overall during this period.
"This is truly phenomenal growth," he said, adding that it would enable Hong Kong, by the year 2000 on our current planning, to have social welfare services worthy of a first world city.
Mr Strachan listed out some of the detailed planning which would enable SWD to achieve this most ambitious objective.
He noted that in 1995-96 the government would spend $9 billion both on financial assistance and on its increasingly comprehensive health and welfare services for the elderly.