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SC . Net, a platform for various sectors of the community to exchange ideas and share experience about the development of social capital, was launched by the Community Investment and Inclusion Fund (CIIF) today (November 28).
Delivering his welcoming remarks at the launching ceremony of the social capital network, SC . Net, the Chairman of the CIIF Committee, Mr Yeung Ka-sing, said, ¡§In the last six years, the challenges faced by Hong Kong ¡Vbe it big or small ¡V have had a direct impact on our livelihood. During this period, the CIIF supported quite a number of community projects to promote mutual support among the public and provide timely assistance to families and people in need, thereby helping our community to struggle against adversity.
¡§The achievements of the fund in promoting the building of community networks are widely known. The inauguration of SC . Net symbolises a new era for the CIIF in the promotion of social capital.¡¨
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, gave his full support to the launch of SC . Net. He said that Hong Kong is facing a tough time as the financial tsunami begins to affect the economy and the livelihood of the people. All sectors should work together to fight against adversity. Mr Cheung said he believed that SC . Net would serve as a platform for the community to share their experience in the development of social capital.
Mr Cheung presented appointment certificates to more than 50 founding members of SC . Net at the launching ceremony. He thanked them for their support for the fund and said he hoped they would continue to promote the concept of social capital to enable more people to benefit.
More than 300 representatives from the welfare sector, government departments, business sector, district councils, CIIF-funded project teams, community organisations and residents¡¦ associations attended the launching ceremony at the Aberdeen Kai-fong Welfare Association Shek Pai Wan Clubhouse. They took a ribbon in relay onto the stage, symbolising the launch of SC . Net through the collaborative efforts of various sectors for the promotion of social capital.
Before the launching ceremony, a number of guests, academics and prominent people shared their experience in facing up to challenges in difficult times, and ways to promote social investment and help the community to struggle against adversity.
The Government established the $300 million Community Investment and Inclusion Fund in 2002 to foster mutual support in the neighbourhood, promote community participation and provide seed funding for district projects to build social capital. The fund has supported more than 180 community projects, benefiting about 300,000 people.
The fund is inviting the 14th round of applications, on the theme of enhancement of young people¡¦s resilience and employability. For information on the fund, please visit its website (www.ciif.gov.hk).
Ends/Friday, November 28, 2008
Issued at HKT 14:50
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