XN000022-1996-11-21 — Page 34

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Week to show what government does for you

Have you ever wondered what is going on behind the walls of all those imposing Government buildings, or about the full range of services offered by the civil service?

If so, you can now easily get the answer through the participation in over 100 activities to be organised by more than 50 government departments during the "Serving the Community Week" from December 1 to 7.

A spokesman for the Efficiency Unit of the Government Secretariat which co- ordinates the event said today (Thursday) that since the "Serving the Community" programme was launched in late 1992, a great deal of work has been done to engender in the civil service a culture that goes beyond the provision of the bare minimum, i.e. a culture that recognises the public as a customer and treat him or her accordingly.

"Serving the Community Week, which aims to promote the importance of delivering good quality civil service to the community, will help publicise the message further," she added.

The Week starts off with a carnival at Fa Hui Park on December 1, to be officially opened by the Financial Secretary, Mr Donald Tsang, and all his Policy Secretaries colleagues.

The carnival will feature a programme of entertainment and 60 game stalls to help publicise the work of Government departments.

Throughout the Week, open days, exhibitions, talks, competitions and training courses will be organised by various departments.

These will include a Cantonese opera and guided tours of a police station by the Police; open days of various community centres and a sand piling competition on the Gold Coast Beach in Tuen Mun by the Social Welfare Department; the launching of a CD-ROM on computer aided learning by the Education Department; and special concerts, together with free entry to the Science Museum and the Museum of Art for schools, by the Urban Services Department.

Service improvements to be announced during the Week include the opening of the first "Postshop" by the Post Office, which offers a one-stop shop for all post- related things, such as cards, wrapping paper etc.