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Sai Kung District was officially certified by the World Health Organisation (WHO)'s Collaborating Centre on Community Safety Promotion as an "International Safe Community" today (October 31).
A designation ceremony was held today by the Sai Kung District Council (SKDC), Sai Kung Healthy and Safe City, Sai Kung District Office and the Occupational Safety and Health Council to witness and celebrate the certification with residents.
Under the witness of the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, the District Officer (Sai Kung), Mr Wu Kam-yin, Chairman of SKDC, Mr Ng Sze-fuk, Director of WHO's Collaborating Centre on Community Safety Promotion (CCCSP), Professor Leif Svanstr?m, and representative from Australian Safe Communities Foundation's International Safe Community Certifying Centre, signed the designation certificate at the ceremony to officially designate Sai Kung as the 170th Safe Community in the world.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Tsang said, "Sai Kung District Council has been committed to fostering community participation and enhancing awareness on community safety in the district. Such forward-looking community development strategy is in line with the society's overall development direction."
"It is no easy task to obtain recognition from WHO. Today's occasion is recognition to all sectors of Sai Kung for their concerted efforts."
After the ceremony, various artistes and district associations staged performances to the audience to pass on messages about safety guidelines for home, cycling and sports, and appeal for resident's continued support and participation in activities on safe community.
Initiated by WHO, "Safe Community" aims to promote a health and safety culture through close collaboration among governments, local organisations and the public. For a community to be designated as Safe Community, it must meet all six indicators set by the WHO and pass a site visit by representatives of WHO.
Chairman of SKDC, Mr Ng Sze-fuk said, "Over the last decade, SKDC has been working with the district organisations to carry out various safety community activities, such as community-oriented safety promotion campaign, specific promotion for high-risk groups, and setting up an injury surveillance system on medical organisations and government departments."
District Officer (Sai Kung), Mr Wu Kam-yin said, "We will continue to collaborate with Sai Kung District Council and other local organisations to disseminate the messages of safe community and build a healthy and safe living environment for the residents."
So far, seven districts in Hong Kong have been accredited as "Safe Communities". Apart from Sai Kung, the other districts are Tuen Mun, Kwai Tsing, Tai Po, Tsuen Wan, Sham Shui Po and Tung Chung.
For more details on safe communities, please visit Sai Kung Healthy and Safe City's website: (www.saikunghsc.org.hk/index_en.php) or website of WHO Collaborating Centre on Community Safety Promotion: (www.phs.ki.se/csp).
Ends/Saturday, October 31, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:12
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