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The Task Force on Children and Youth under the Commission on Poverty, chaired by Dr Philemon Choi, held its sixth meeting this afternoon (October 10).
The meeting discussed how to strengthen existing support services for child development, including the proposal to set up a Child Development Fund in Hong Kong.
"There is a big difference between the Child Development Fund models practised in some overseas countries, and what is being proposed by some in Hong Kong," Dr Choi said. "We do not believe setting up another new fund in Hong Kong to give out additional money for participating in extra-curricular activities is the best way forward.
"The family is an important institution to nurture children. Policies and measures to promote child development, especially for those from a disadvantaged background, should take into account the needs and situation of their families," he said.
After examining the existing policies and measures, the meeting agreed on the following direction -
(a) in the short term, the Administration should further strengthen family support programmes to assist high-risk children and their families;
(b) the Administration should draw reference from the successful experience of some non-governmental organisations in implementing child development programmes, which put emphasis on how to enhance the capacity and resilience of children rather than simply giving them material support, and
(c) in the longer run, the overseas model of Child Development Fund was worth exploring.
Members noted that the Child Development Fund models practised in some overseas countries adopted the asset-building approach and aimed to promote long-term saving and investment for child development.
"While it would take time to develop a community understanding of this new approach, and to build consensus, if any, in adopting such a approach in Hong Kong, we consider that it is worthwhile to begin this meaningful discussion of what our children really need," Dr Choi said.
"The task force will organise a Child Development Forum, with the theme of "Strengthening Support to Children and Their Families" on November 10 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The objective is to enhance public understanding of the overseas experience in implementing a Child Development Fund, and to engage the stakeholders of how we can strengthen our existing support to children and their families."
For further details of the Child Development Forum, please refer to the Forum website: www.cdf.gov.hk.
The agenda and papers of the meeting are available at the Commission's website: www.cop.gov.hk.
Ends/Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:39
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