XN000022-1973-10-17 — Page 51

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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.

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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