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The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, officiated at the "Vibrant People, Harmonious Community Activities" launching ceremony today (June 20) to mark the start of more than 400 activities till next March.
The activities are to promote the four elements - "get into vitality", "get into creativity", "get into harmony" and "get into discovery".
The "Vibrant People, Harmonious Community Activities" programme features a series of community activities centred on four aspects - Sports for All, Arts for All, Care for All and Cultural/Ecological Tourism for All. In addition to the recently-launched Trial Scheme on Community Performing Arts Programmes, other highlights of events include the Dragon Boat Family Carnival to be held on July 24 and 25; the Sports for All Day to be held on August 8 and the Cultural Tourism Hong Kong and Nature Based Tourism to be held in the third quarter of this year.
Mr Tsang said, "The aim of this project is to enable people become healthier, happier and more harmonious. We believe every one of us has different potentials. If we are willing to open up ourselves and adopt a positive attitude towards life, not only can we make full use of our strengths but also help others to lead a vibrant and harmonious life."
To promote the four elements of the programme in the coming year, the Home Affairs Department has invited eight people with uncommon life experiences to be the ambassadors of the programme. They are:
* Mr Cheng Ka-ho - an award-winning Nanquan master
* Ms Ho Suet-hay - a cancer survivor with enthusiasm for sports
* Ms Chan Yi-nay - a full-time mother turned artist
* Mr Lee Yip-fook - a photographer with hearing impairment
* Ms Wong Yook-shiu - an elderly volunteer
* Mr Pakistani Shafi - a Pakistani volunteer in Tin Shui Wai
* Mr Lee Yi-keung - an eco-tourism guide
* Mr Richard Gee - a British tourist guide familiar with local culture
Mr Tsang performed a ceremony with the chairman of the assessment panel of the programme, Mr Chung Pui-lam; Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Pamela Tan; and one of the ambassadors, Mr Cheng Ka-ho. Other ambassadors also shared their real-life stories with the audience.
The "Vibrant People, Harmonious Community Activities" programme is organised by the Home Affairs Department with the support from the District Councils, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
For more details, the public can get a copy of the Event Calendar at the Public Enquiry Service Centres of 18 District Offices, or visit the dedicated website www.hca.gov.hk
Ends/Sunday, June 20, 2010
Issued at HKT 19:04
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