ENG-1996 — Page 246

SOCIAL WELFARE

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The review results were to be delivered in three stages. The first stage provided a review of the current system and ended in July 1995. At the second phase, the consultant developed a proposal on performance measures and funding arrangements. This was completed in August 1996. The third stage is under way and will look at the detailed implementation plans.

Community Building

Several government departments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) contribute towards the community-building programme, which serves to foster among the people of Hong Kong a sense of belonging, mutual care and civic responsibility.

Community-building efforts involve providing purpose-built facilities for group and community activities, the formation of citizen's organisations, and encouraging community participation in the administration of public affairs, solving community problems and improving the quality of community life in general. While the Home Affairs Branch has policy responsibility for the programme, the Home Affairs Department and Social Welfare Department are principally responsible for its implementation. The Home Affairs Department, through its network of district offices, is primarily concerned with promoting mutual care and community spirit through local organisations such as area committees, mutual aid committees, rural committees, kaifong associations, women's organisations, and so on.

The Social Welfare Department and the NGOs, through the provision of group and community work activities, promote social relationships and cohesion within the community and encourage individuals to solve community problems.

Commission on Youth

The Commission on Youth was established in February 1990 with members appointed by the Governor. Its main objectives are to advise on matters pertaining to youth, initiate research, promote co-operation and co-ordination in the provision of youth services and serve as a liaison point with other international youth organisations for youth exchange programmes.

During the year, the commission focused on the implementation of the proposals raised at the Review of the Implementation of the Charter for Youth conducted in 1995. A major task was to develop a set of parameters to provide objective measurements of progress in youth development in Hong Kong. A working group was formed under the commission to do this.

The commission initiated studies on the supportive system for working youths, and on the knowledge of and attitude towards AIDS-related issues among marginal youths. The studies will be completed in early 1997, when recommendations will be presented to the government departments and youth organisations. To examine the fundamental issues involved in influencing young people's attitude and social values and to explore the means to convey positive and proper messages to them, the commission also conducted a study to examine the moral values of youths.

In June and July, two groups comprising 16 young people were sent for a three- week trip to Britain and Germany respectively under the International Youth Exchange Programme. The programme enables young people to share their