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Led by the Director of Social Welfare, Mr Patrick Nip, a delegation from the Social Welfare Department (SWD) concluded its two-day visit to Shenzhen today (April 15), where they visited the Bureau of Civil Affairs of Shenzhen Municipality and various social welfare facilities.
The delegation met the General Director of Bureau of Civil Affairs of Shenzhen Municipality, Mr Liu Runhua, and other officials and exchanged views on a wide range of social welfare issues, such as family and child welfare, elderly services, assistance to the poor, as well as the professional and institutional development of the social work sector.
They also visited a relief management station and a community service centre in Shenzhen, and saw some local social welfare services provided by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from Hong Kong.
Places visited by the delegation included Hong Kong Jockey Club Yee Hong Heights, International Social Service Hong Kong Branch Luohu Cross-boundary Students Service Centre and Cross-boundary and Intercountry Casework Service, and the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions Shenzhen Consultation Services Centre.
"In recent years, Hong Kong and Shenzhen have been getting closely connected in various aspects, including livelihood issues. For instance, cross-boundary families and Hong Kong people who live on the Mainland need support from both the governments and NGOs on the two sides," Mr Nip said.
"In extending services and attending to the needs of service users on the Mainland, NGOs from Hong Kong can apply and further develop their valuable experience on social welfare services. Their contribution is also able to cater for the needs of cross-boundary families and Hong Kong people who live on the Mainland," he added.
"In the meantime, the SWD has strengthened its connection and exchanges with the Mainland authorities over the development of social welfare services."
Upon completion of the visit, the delegation will return to Hong Kong this evening.
Ends/Friday, April 15, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:01
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