XN000022-1982-05-03 — Page 3

MONDAY, MAY 3, 1982

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IMPORTANCE OF PARTNERSHIP STRESSED

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THE IMPORTANCE OF PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN THE PROVISION OF SOCIAL AND WELFARE SERVICES WAS STRESSED BY THE SECRETARY FOR CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, TODAY (MONDAY).

DESCRIBING HONG KONG AS A PLACE OF GREAT CHANGE, HE SAID: *WE NEED THE RIGHT INFRASTRUCTURE AT ALL LEVELS AT THE RIGHT TIME AND IN ALL SITUATIONS TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO THE CHALLENGES OF THIS CHANGING WORLD.+

MR AKERS-JONES WAS SPEAKING AT THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE.

HE SAID THE COUNCIL AND THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, PROFESSIONAL MEN AND WOMEN PROVIDED THE GENERAL INFRASTRUCTURE OF SOCIAL AND WELFARE SERVICES WHILE THE GOVERNMENT, THROUGH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, PROVIDED FINANCIAL AND OTHER SUPPORT.

+THIS YOU MIGHT SAY IS OUR HONG KONG PHILOSOPHY, AN ESSENTIAL PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE PRIVATE AND THE PUBLIC SECTOR. THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDING BASIC POLICY GUIDELINES AND FINANCE AND ENSURING THAT SUPPORT FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE, LEAVING THE PRIVATE SECTOR, THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, TO DO ÁS MUCH OF THE WORK OF PROVIDING THE ACTUAL SERVICES AS POSSIBLE.

+PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN PEOPLE LEADS TO AN UNFOLDING OF FRIENDSHIP AND LOVE1 PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN DISSIMILAR ORGANISATIONS LEADS TO GROWTH, PROGRESS, ADAPTATION AND EVOLUTION BORN OF THE CREATIVE TENSION BETWEEN THE PARTNERS.

+THUS IN THIS PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE AND THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, WE ACHIEVE OUR BEST RESULTS FOR THE PEOPLE.

+CREATIVE TENSION, HOWEVER, MUST NOT BE CONFUSED WITH FRICTION AND DISAGREEMENT, WHICH IN HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS LEADS TO SEPARATION AND DIVORCE. THIS WE MUST AVOID, HE SAID.

MR AKERS-JONES ALSO THANKED THE COUNCIL FOR ITS VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY DURING THE PAST 35 YEARS.

+I LOOK FORWARD TO THE FUTURE OF THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO CONTINUE TO DEVELOP AND GROW FOR THE COMMON GOOD, HE ADDED.

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