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Social Welfare

such programmes have been incorporated into the government's regular assistance programmes since the fund was set up in 2011.

Child Development Fund

This fund provides children from disadvantaged backgrounds with personal development opportunities. Through the fund's projects, operated by either NGOs or schools, participants. draw up and implement their own development plans under guidance, learn to accumulate savings and cultivate intangible assets, such as a positive attitude, personal resilience and social networks, thus helping their long-term development. In 2018, there were 81 ongoing NGO-run projects and 44 school-based projects, of which 27 projects operated by NGOs and 10 school- based projects, involving more than 2,700 new participants, were launched in the year.

Advisory Bodies

Social Welfare Advisory Committee

The Social Welfare Advisory Committee reviews social welfare services and advises the government on all matters of social welfare policy. In 2018, the committee offered advice to the government on social welfare initiatives announced in the Policy Address and on suggestions about welfare priorities in 2019-20, made by the social welfare sector and other advisory bodies.

Commission on Children

Established on 1 June, the Commission on Children is a high-level advisory committee that provides an overall steer on children's issues and sets policy directions, strategies and priorities for the early benefit of children. Its vision is to ensure Hong Kong is a place where all children's rights and interests and their well-being are respected and safeguarded, where their voices are heard and where all children enjoy healthy and happy growth and optimal development so as to achieve their fullest potential.

In 2018, the commission discussed a number of priority issues, such as playtime and outdoor play areas for young children, education for children of ethnic minorities, the regularisation and possible enhancement of the Pilot Scheme on On-site Pre-school Rehabilitation Service, and a consultancy study on the long-term development of child care services.

Elderly Commission

The Elderly Commission advises the government on policy and services for the elderly. Its recommendations as set out in the Elderly Services Programme Plan are being implemented progressively by the government. In the 2017-18 school year, about 140 elder academies in primary and secondary schools and post-secondary institutions were operating under the Elder Academy Scheme conducted jointly by the commission and the government.

Women's Commission

The Women's Commission aims to enable women in Hong Kong to fully realise their due status, rights and opportunities in all aspects of life through an enabling environment, the empowerment of women and public education. It advises the government on policies and initiatives of concern to women to ensure their perspectives are taken into account when policy bureaus formulate government policies.

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