ENG-2003 — Page 249

SOCIAL WELFARE

management information system, a knowledge management system, eServices through websites, and a digital voice library for the blind and visually impaired.

Community Building and Promoting Mutual Care

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, 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 the SWD are principally responsible for its implementation. The Home Affairs Department, through its network of district offices, is primarily concerned with encouraging participation in community service and promoting mutual care and community spirit through local organisations such as committees, mutual aid committees, rural committees, charitable organisations, social service groups, kaifong associations and women's organisations.

The SWD and 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.

Enhancing Social Capital: Community Investment and Inclusion Fund

In his 2001 Policy Address, the Chief Executive announced the plan to set up the $300 million Community Investment and Inclusion Fund (CIIF) to encourage mutual concern and aid, promote community participation, and support cross-sectoral programmes. The CIIF Committee was established in April 2002 to handle applications for funding. Three batches of projects have been called, with over 470 proposals received and processed. By year-end, 31 projects had been selected, involving total funding support of $23.1 million. In addition, over 32 briefings have been held, involving around 2715 participants from 1772 different groups and organisations to promote the social capital concept embodied in this new fund. An Inaugural CIIF Sharing Forum was held in October 2003 to mark the CIIF's first anniversary. National and international experts shared experiences in social capital development, and members of local project teams that had been granted funding support also shared experiences in implementing their projects.

Women's Commission

The Women's Commission was set up on January 15, 2001 as a central mechanism to promote the well-being and interests of women in Hong Kong. It is tasked to identify all women's needs and address matters of concern to women in a holistic and systematic manner. It has developed a long-term vision and strategy for the development and advancement of women in Hong Kong. The Women's Commission takes a strategic overview of women's issues, advises the Government on policies and initiatives that are of concern to women and seeks to ensure that women's perspectives are factored in (or mainstreamed) during policy formulation.

Chaired by a non-official member of the Legislative Council, and comprising another 21 members, the commission's mission is 'To enable women in Hong Kong

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