ENG-1997 — Page 239

SOCIAL WELFARE

greater flexibility, and accountability, in the administration of resources. The SWD set up working groups with non-governmental organisations to develop the service performance monitoring system, to examine the training needs and to devise a new subvention funding formula. The major tasks achieved in 1997 include formulation of service quality standards, performance assessment procedures, funding and service agreements for various services and a new fixed funding approach.

Information Technology

In line with government policy on information technology, the SWD has commissioned a departmental Information Systems Strategic Study (ISSD) and a feasibility study to examine the development of a new Computerised Social Security System (CSSS). The ISSS identified seven potential applications. Priority has been accorded to the CSSS and thereafter the Client Information System (CIS) and Technical Infrastructure (TI). Subject to funding approval, the department will proceed with the implementation stage of the CSSS and the feasibility study of the CIS and TI. Feasibility studies for the other application systems will be considered later.

Community Building

Several government departments and 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 citizens' organisations, and encouraging community participation in the administration of public affairs, solving community problems and improving the quality of community life in general. The Home Affairs. Bureau has policy responsibility for the programme and the Home Affairs. Department and SWD 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 and women's organisations.

The SWD 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. Its main objectives are to advise on matters pertaining to youth, initiate research, promote co-operation and improvement 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 co-ordination of the second biennial review of the implementation of the Charter for Youth. One major area of work was the development of a set of parameters as social indicators to provide objective measurements of progress in youth development in Hong Kong. The social indicators were also discussed by participants at the Review Conference on the Implementation of the Charter for Youth held in December 1997.

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