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The following is issued on behalf of the Elderly Commission:
The Elderly Commission today (June 8) held its first ever forum "2002 Symposium cum Exhibition on Challenges and Opportunities of an Ageing Population" to discuss the far-reaching implications of population ageing.
According to the latest population projections, the proportion of the population aged 65 or above will grow from 11.2 per cent in 2001 to 24.3 per cent in 2031. That means one in every four persons in Hong Kong will be 65 years of age or older in 30 years' time.
Some 800 participants joined the whole-day symposium aimed at engaging the various sectors of the community in a process of reinvesting the concept of ageing and rethinking policy, through an intergenerational, cross-sectoral and multi-disciplinary approach.
Today's symposium, co-organised by the Health and Welfare Bureau, Education and Manpower Bureau, Housing Bureau, and 13 government departments and agencies, was open by the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, and the Chairman of the Elderly Commission, Mr Tam Yiu-chung.
Vice-minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs and Executive Deputy Director of the Office of China National Working Commission on Ageing, Mr Li Baoku, delivered a keynote speech at the morning plenary session on the framework and strategy for an ageing society.
Also sharing their views in the plenary session were Prof James Schulz of Brandeis University of USA, and Mr Roger Luk Koon-hoo from the banking sector, who examined the issues of population ageing from the economic and business perspectives.
In the afternoon, four concurrent sessions were held, covering topics on reconstructing the image of ageing, remodelling the living environment, reinvesting in ageing, and refocussing the health maintenance system.
Five overseas speakers were invited to share their views in these sessions. They were: Dr Yitzhak Brick of International Federation on Ageing, Dr Satoshi Kose of Building Research Institute of Japan, Mr Ross Wraight of International Standards Organisation, Prof Victor Marshall of University of North Carolina of USA, and Ms Irene Hoskins of World Health Organisation.
Other local speakers included Dr Philemon Choi of the Commission on Youth; Mr Cheung Hau-wai, Deputy Director of Buildings; journalist Mr Chan King-cheung; Mr Stuart Leckie of Hong Kong Retirement Schemes Association; and Dr Margaret Chan, Director of Health.
Moderating in these sessions were Prof Edward Chen of Lingnan University, Prof Chan Yuen-ying of University of Hong Kong, Prof Patrick Lau Sau-shing of Hong Kong Institute of Architects, Dr Eden Woon of Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, and Dr Donald Li of Hong Kong College of Family Physicians.
The gist of discussions in the concurrent sessions were then reported back to a closing plenary session hosted by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Dr E K Yeoh.
To enhance public awareness of the main issues affecting ageing, an exhibition was mounted during the symposium. The exhibition would be rotated at five locations throughout Hong Kong in June and July. A wide range of district programmes would be held to tie in with the roving exhibitions.
End/Saturday, June 8, 2002
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