1980 — Page 108

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed

Page 108 of 120

Page 108 or 12

182

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

Hong Kong. All I am arguing for is the need to develop our own system, not transplanting one from abroad. Our system should reflect the special socio-economic and cultural constraints within which we are operating. Development of our social welfare concept should begin in those academic institutions where social workers receive their training in conjunction with those professionals already working in the field. The curriculum and courses in these institutions must be designed to be of local relevance. Otherwise, if they are based too much on western theory and practice, the graduates will face nothing but frustration in their work and this will not do anybody any good.

Community Spirit

I am now way off base, so, to get closer to home I'll deal with the question of community spirit.

It is very obvious that there is a general sense of indifference among the Public. This lack of community spirit is to a great extent the direct result of the lack of a sense of belonging. A majority of the people in Hong Kong have only just settled down here and have no previous roots. But efforts must be made to change such negative attitudes, at least among the younger generation. It is generally accepted that Hong Kong will remain as it is for quite a while, and so the Government has the duty to elicit among its citizens, a sense of civic responsibility. This can only be achieved with a broad and well-planned civic education program to be carried out over a considerable period of time, in schools, youth centres and various community building projects subvented by the Government. Any improvement in civic attitude will have extremely beneficial and lasting effects on many of the Government's and Council's ambitious projects—like the clean Hong Kong Campaign, the fight against crime and anticorruption drive and the universal franchise which are aimed at yielding a better social and physical environment for all of us.

Impression of a New Councillor

I will wind up my speech by sharing with you some of the observations I have made during the past 10 months as a Councillor.

I found most of the Select Committee work interesting and meaningful. I am impressed by the gravity, and thoroughness my colleagues show in the dispatch of their duties. It is justifiably so because our decisions have considerable effects on the urban community. However, in some committees too much time is spent on decision-making on managerial matters within the Department, and not enough on planning, policy-making and reviewing. Having served for 10 months as a Councillor, I find myself inadequate in many ways and would welcome the following opportunities to better equip myself, to serve the Council in the future.

Two opportunities that I would welcome. One is seminars or even actual visits that allow us to observe and learn, and to be brought up-to-date with the running of other big, modern and progressive cities.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

183

Another is to enable Councillors to consult with regional community leaders periodically, to seek their opinions on the specific services provided by the Council. Then, we can be more responsive to local needs and aspirations in the planning for future expansion and improvement of these services. The ward system is one way Councillors can keep in touch with the people. However, too often the problems brought up are of a personal nature and beyond the scope of the Councillor's work. What is required is a more coherent or corporate approach in obtaining valuable grassroots information. With these comments, Mr. Chairman, I am happy to support the motion.

(Mr. B. A. BERNACCHI left during Dr. Philip KWOK's address.)

ADJOURNMENT — 5.23 p.m.

CHAIRMAN (in English): This debate has brought out the diligence and dedication of most Councillors to their responsibilities assigned by law and to those additional areas of activities which they have undertaken as a means of improving the quality of life for the people in Hong Kong. My compliments to these Councillors.

Some Councillors made most explicit reports on the work of their select committees and sub-committees. Others dealt with matters of great consequence to Hong Kong. The range is excellent. And, together, Councillors have shown in these two days of debate the extent of the service given to the people here. No doubt, for this service, Hong Kong is grateful. The community is in fact the happier for the collective work done by the Council. My congratulations to our two new members on their maiden speeches today—most thoughtful and far-reaching.

I was only sorry that the Chairman of the Liquor Licensing Board was not in the room just now to listen to what others said. I also felt that it was not necessary for him to do such tremendous market research in depth. (Laughter). The intimate knowledge he shows of the operations on the ground, under his responsibility, is now open to suspicion. (Laughter).

I now adjourn Council until Tuesday, 17 February at 4 p.m. when the Chairman will exercise his right of reply under Standing Order 21, Section 17. “新年快樂”

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY THE GOVERNMENT PRINTER, HONG KONG

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Page 108 of 120 Page 108 or 12 182 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL Hong Kong. All I am arguing for is the need to develop our own system, not transplanting one from abroad. Our system should reflect the special socio-economic and cultural constraints within which we are operating. Development of our social welfare concept should begin in those academic institutions where social workers receive their training in conjunction with those professionals already working in the field. The curriculum and courses in these institutions must be designed to be of local relevance. Otherwise, if they are based too much on western theory and practice, the graduates will face nothing but frustration in their work and this will not do anybody any good. Community Spirit I am now way off base, so, to get closer to home I'll deal with the question of community spirit. It is very obvious that there is a general sense of indifference among the Public. This lack of community spirit is to a great extent the direct result of the lack of a sense of belonging. A majority of the people in Hong Kong have only just settled down here and have no previous roots. But efforts must be made to change such negative attitudes, at least among the younger generation. It is generally accepted that Hong Kong will remain as it is for quite a while, and so the Government has the duty to elicit among its citizens, a sense of civic responsibility. This can only be achieved with a broad and well-planned civic education program to be carried out over a considerable period of time, in schools, youth centres and various community building projects subvented by the Government. Any improvement in civic attitude will have extremely beneficial and lasting effects on many of the Government's and Council's ambitious projects—like the clean Hong Kong Campaign, the fight against crime and anticorruption drive and the universal franchise which are aimed at yielding a better social and physical environment for all of us. Impression of a New Councillor I will wind up my speech by sharing with you some of the observations I have made during the past 10 months as a Councillor. I found most of the Select Committee work interesting and meaningful. I am impressed by the gravity, and thoroughness my colleagues show in the dispatch of their duties. It is justifiably so because our decisions have considerable effects on the urban community. However, in some committees too much time is spent on decision-making on managerial matters within the Department, and not enough on planning, policy-making and reviewing. Having served for 10 months as a Councillor, I find myself inadequate in many ways and would welcome the following opportunities to better equip myself, to serve the Council in the future. Two opportunities that I would welcome. One is seminars or even actual visits that allow us to observe and learn, and to be brought up-to-date with the running of other big, modern and progressive cities. HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 183 Another is to enable Councillors to consult with regional community leaders periodically, to seek their opinions on the specific services provided by the Council. Then, we can be more responsive to local needs and aspirations in the planning for future expansion and improvement of these services. The ward system is one way Councillors can keep in touch with the people. However, too often the problems brought up are of a personal nature and beyond the scope of the Councillor's work. What is required is a more coherent or corporate approach in obtaining valuable grassroots information. With these comments, Mr. Chairman, I am happy to support the motion. (Mr. B. A. BERNACCHI left during Dr. Philip KWOK's address.) ADJOURNMENT — 5.23 p.m. CHAIRMAN (in English): This debate has brought out the diligence and dedication of most Councillors to their responsibilities assigned by law and to those additional areas of activities which they have undertaken as a means of improving the quality of life for the people in Hong Kong. My compliments to these Councillors. Some Councillors made most explicit reports on the work of their select committees and sub-committees. Others dealt with matters of great consequence to Hong Kong. The range is excellent. And, together, Councillors have shown in these two days of debate the extent of the service given to the people here. No doubt, for this service, Hong Kong is grateful. The community is in fact the happier for the collective work done by the Council. My congratulations to our two new members on their maiden speeches today—most thoughtful and far-reaching. I was only sorry that the Chairman of the Liquor Licensing Board was not in the room just now to listen to what others said. I also felt that it was not necessary for him to do such tremendous market research in depth. (Laughter). The intimate knowledge he shows of the operations on the ground, under his responsibility, is now open to suspicion. (Laughter). I now adjourn Council until Tuesday, 17 February at 4 p.m. when the Chairman will exercise his right of reply under Standing Order 21, Section 17. “新年快樂” PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY THE GOVERNMENT PRINTER, HONG KONG Page 109 of 120 Page 109 or 12 184

Baseline (Original)

Page 108 of 120 Page 108 or 12 182 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL Hong Kong. All I am arguing for is the need to develop our own system, not transplanting one from abroad. Our system should reflect the special socio- economic and cultural constraints within which we are operating. Develop- ment of our social welfare concept should begin in those academic institutions where social workers receive their training in conjunction with those profes- sionals already working in the field. The curriculum and courses in these institutions must be designed to be of locally relevance. Otherwise, if they are based too much on western theory and practice, the graduates will face nothing but frustration in their work and this will not do anybody any good. Community Spirit I am now way off base, so, to get closer to home I'll deal with the question of community spirit. It is very obvious that there is a general sense of indifference among the Public. This lack of community spirit is to a great extent the direct result of the lack of a sense of belonging. A majority of the people in Hong Kong have only just settled down here and have no previous roots. But efforts must be made to change such negative attitudes, at least among the younger generation. It is generally accepted that Hong Kong will remain as it is for quite a whole, and so the Government has the duty to elicit among its citizens, a sense of civic responsibility. This can only be achieved with a broad and well planned civic education program to be carried out over a considerable period of time, in schools, youth centres and various community building projects subvented by the Government. Any improvement in civic attitude will have extremely beneficial and lasting effects on many of the Government's and Council's ambitious projects-like the clean Hong Kong Campaign, the fight crime' and anticorruption drive and the universal franchise which are aimed at yielding a better social and physical environ- ment for all of us. Impression of a New Councillor I will wind up my speech by sharing with you some of the observations I have made during the past 10 months as a Councillor. I found most of the Select Committee work interesting and meaningful. I am impressed by the gravity, and thoroughness my colleagues show in the dispatch of their duties. It is justifiably so because our decisions have con- siderable effects on the urban community. However, in some committees too much time is spent on decision-making on managerial matters within the Department, and not enough on planning, policy-making and reviewing. Having served for 10 months as a Councillor, I find myself inadequate in many ways and would welcome the following opportunities to better equip myself, to serve the Council in the future. Two opportunities that I would welcome. One is seminars or even actual visits that allow us to observe and learn, and to be brought up-to-date with the running of other big, modern and progressive cities. HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 183 Another is to enable Councillors to consult with regional community leaders periodically, to seek their opinions on the specific services provided by the Council. Then, we can be more responsive to local needs and aspirations in the planning for future expansion and improvement of these services. The ward system is one way Councillors can keep in touch with the people. However, too often the problems brought up are of a personal nature and beyond the scope of the Councillor's work. What is required is a more coherent or corporate approach in obtaining valuable grassroot information. With these comments, Mr. Chairman, I am happy to support the motion. (Mr. B. A. BERNACCHI left during Dr. Philip KWOK's address.) are ADJOURNMENT — 5.23 p.m. CHAIRMAN (in English):-This debate has brought out the diligence and dedication of most Councillors to their responsibilities assigned by law and to those additional areas of activities which they have undertaken as a means of improving the quality of life for the people in Hong Kong. My compli- ments to these Councillors. Some Councillors made most explicit reports on the work of their select committees and sub-committees. Others dealt with matters of great con- sequence to Hong Kong. The range is excellent. And, together, Councillors have shown in these two days of debate the extent of the service given to the people here. No doubt, for this service, Hong Kong is grateful. The com- munity is in fact the happier for the collective work done by the Council. My congratulations to our two new members on their maiden speeches today-most thoughtful and far-reaching. I was only sorry that the Chairman of the Liquor Licensing Board was not in the room just now to listen to what others said. I also felt that it was not necessary for him to do such tremendous market research in depth. (Laughter). The intimate knowledge he shows of the operations on the ground, under his responsibility, is now open to suspicion. (Laughter). I now adjourn Council until Tuesday, 17 February at 4 p.m. when the Chairman will exercise his right of reply under Standing Order 21, Section 17. ‘新年快樂” PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY THE GOVERNMENT PRINTER, HONG KONG

2026-05-15 09:23:05 · Baseline

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Page 108 of 120

Page 108 or 12

182

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

Hong Kong. All I am arguing for is the need to develop our own system, not transplanting one from abroad. Our system should reflect the special socio- economic and cultural constraints within which we are operating. Develop- ment of our social welfare concept should begin in those academic institutions where social workers receive their training in conjunction with those profes- sionals already working in the field. The curriculum and courses in these institutions must be designed to be of locally relevance. Otherwise, if they are based too much on western theory and practice, the graduates will face nothing but frustration in their work and this will not do anybody any good.

Community Spirit

I am now way off base, so, to get closer to home I'll deal with the question of community spirit.

It is very obvious that there is a general sense of indifference among the Public. This lack of community spirit is to a great extent the direct result of the lack of a sense of belonging. A majority of the people in Hong Kong have only just settled down here and have no previous roots. But efforts must be made to change such negative attitudes, at least among the younger generation. It is generally accepted that Hong Kong will remain as it is for quite a whole, and so the Government has the duty to elicit among its citizens, a sense of civic responsibility. This can only be achieved with a broad and well planned civic education program to be carried out over a considerable period of time, in schools, youth centres and various community building projects subvented by the Government. Any improvement in civic attitude will have extremely beneficial and lasting effects on many of the Government's and Council's ambitious projects-like the clean Hong Kong Campaign, the fight crime' and anticorruption drive and the universal franchise which are aimed at yielding a better social and physical environ- ment for all of us.

Impression of a New Councillor

I will wind up my speech by sharing with you some of the observations I have made during the past 10 months as a Councillor.

I found most of the Select Committee work interesting and meaningful. I am impressed by the gravity, and thoroughness my colleagues show in the dispatch of their duties. It is justifiably so because our decisions have con- siderable effects on the urban community. However, in some committees too much time is spent on decision-making on managerial matters within the Department, and not enough on planning, policy-making and reviewing. Having served for 10 months as a Councillor, I find myself inadequate in many ways and would welcome the following opportunities to better equip myself, to serve the Council in the future.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

183

Another is to enable Councillors to consult with regional community leaders periodically, to seek their opinions on the specific services provided by the Council. Then, we can be more responsive to local needs and aspirations in the planning for future expansion and improvement of these services. The ward system is one way Councillors can keep in touch with the people. However, too often the problems brought up are of a personal nature and beyond the scope of the Councillor's work. What is required is a more coherent or corporate approach in obtaining valuable grassroot information. With these comments, Mr. Chairman, I am happy to support the motion.

(Mr. B. A. BERNACCHI left during Dr. Philip KWOK's address.)

are

ADJOURNMENT — 5.23 p.m.

CHAIRMAN (in English):-This debate has brought out the diligence and dedication of most Councillors to their responsibilities assigned by law and to those additional areas of activities which they have undertaken as a means of improving the quality of life for the people in Hong Kong. My compli- ments to these Councillors.

Some Councillors made most explicit reports on the work of their select committees and sub-committees. Others dealt with matters of great con- sequence to Hong Kong. The range is excellent. And, together, Councillors have shown in these two days of debate the extent of the service given to the people here. No doubt, for this service, Hong Kong is grateful. The com- munity is in fact the happier for the collective work done by the Council. My congratulations to our two new members on their maiden speeches today-most thoughtful and far-reaching.

I now adjourn Council until Tuesday, 17 February at 4 p.m. when the Chairman will exercise his right of reply under Standing Order 21, Section 17. ‘新年快樂”

1980 — Page 108

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