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The Director of Social Welfare, Mr Patrick Nip, today (October 8) commended a number of companies for their zealous participation in volunteer work during the hard times of the financial tsunami in the past year.
Officiating at the 2009 Seminar on Corporate Volunteering and Award Presentation Ceremony, Mr Nip said, "I believe that by taking part in volunteer work, companies can not only bring satisfaction to their staff, but also establish a positive image in the community."
"The co-operation between the Government, the business and social welfare sectors can contribute to the sustainable development of the community and enhance its ability to ride out adversity."
Mr Nip hoped that today's seminar could serve as a platform to consolidate the power of various sectors and forge a closer partnership to serve the community, especially the disadvantaged.
He congratulated the awardees and thanked them for their commitment and contribution to the community.
A total of 26 companies and non-governmental organisations that had provided 10,000 hours of volunteer services in 2008 were presented with certificates. (see attachment)
The Chairman of the Community Investment and Inclusion Fund Committee, Mr Yeung Ka-sing, and representatives of experienced companies and NGOs including General Manager (Members and Community Service) of Young Men's Christian Association of Hong Kong, Dr Alice Yuk; Agency Director of Hong Kong Children and Youth Service, Miss Gabriella Wong; Volunteer Team Leader of Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd., Miss Michelle Leung, and Founders of Benji's Centre, Mr Raymond Wong and his wife, spoke at the seminar on "Walking with the Disadvantaged" and shared their invaluable experience on volunteer work.
A service exposition was also organised to foster the collaboration between corporate volunteer teams and NGOs providing social services. Twelve exhibition booths were set up at the venue.
The Steering Committee on the Promotion of Volunteer Service has been promoting "Volunteer Movement" since 1998. The Sub-Committee on Promotion of Corporate Volunteering was later set up to encourage corporations to take part in volunteer service to help those in need, with a view to fostering a caring and integrated society in Hong Kong. As at August 31, 2009, the Steering Committee has registered more than 870,000 volunteers and more than 1,950 organisations in support of volunteer work. The latest annual total service hour record has exceeded 20 million hours.
Ends/Thursday, October 8, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:30
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