ENG-1999 — Page 55

CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION

introduced to enhance the leadership, public policy delivery and management skills of the top echelons of the Government.

To increase civil servants' knowledge of the social, economic and administrative systems in the Mainland, a series of visits and courses, including those held in the Mainland, were arranged. During the year, promotional activities in the form of a quiz and exhibitions were also organised to enhance the understanding of the Basic Law among civil servants.

To support central policy initiatives, the CSTDI organised a series of training programmes geared towards improving organisational performance and human resource management of the Civil Service in 1999. During the year, the CSTDI continued to step up efforts to promote best Human Resource Development (HRD) practices, including the launch of the second Award for Best Practices in HRD (the theme of the award was Customer Service Training), and, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management, the organisation of the Leadership Development in the Next Millennium Conference in September.

A Learning Resource Centre was also set up in January to enhance the opportunities for self-learning through a variety of training materials and online facilities.

Government Records Service

The Government Records Service manages government records. It undertakes two different but related programmes. The Records Management Office is responsible for a records management programme which handles current and inactive records. The Public Records Office runs an archives administration programme which looks after the preservation and use of permanent records.

Proper management of records enhances the efficiency of business in government. The Records Management Office develops and oversees the implementation of a comprehensive system to manage records effectively and efficiently. It also operates Records Centres as central repositories for storage of inactive records transferred from government departments. The provision of centralised storage facilities has helped not only to enhance records management practices but also to realise substantial notional savings on rental for storage of inactive records in otherwise expensive office accommodation.

Since November 1994, a Records Management Strategy has been implemented in phases to help government departments improve the quality of records services, reduce records stock, control the growth of records and enhance cost-effectiveness in records management. The strategy's third and final phase was successfully completed in 1999, bringing about considerable improvements to the records management systems in the Civil Service through a series of departmental reviews, and the launching of a comprehensive curriculum for the training of government staff in records management. Good progress was also made during the year in the publication of guidelines and manuals on records management practices.

The Public Records Office is one of the largest local sources of information for historical and other studies relating to Hong Kong. The public archives also help to foster the identity of the Hong Kong community through the safe keeping of permanent records from both public and private sources on the territory's history and development.

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