***********************************************************
The Social Welfare Advisory Committee (SWAC) released a consultation paper today (April 14) to seek views from the social welfare sector and relevant stakeholders on long-term social welfare planning in Hong Kong.
In view of the rapid social and economic changes of the past few decades, the Chief Executive has tasked SWAC to study the long-term development of social welfare in Hong Kong in order to provide a timely response to the ever-changing welfare needs of our society.
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, said, "We need a more macro, forward-looking and flexible planning mechanism for the development of a sustainable social welfare system to meet changing demands.
"I am confident that, through this consultation, SWAC can forge a consensus with the social welfare sector on various issues and provide the Government with strategic directions on long-term social welfare planning in Hong Kong."
The Chairman of SWAC, Professor Chan Yuk-shee, said, "I hope the sector and relevant stakeholders will actively express their views on the major issues and factors affecting the provision of welfare services, the guiding principles for social welfare planning and the strategic directions for providing welfare services as set out in the consultation paper, with a view to formulating a blueprint of the future social welfare development in Hong Kong."
He appealed for written comments to reach SWAC by July 31.
Apart from the consultation paper, SWAC will also organise a number of consultation sessions in May, inviting representatives of the sector and relevant stakeholders to exchange views with SWAC members. The consultation paper and details of the consultation sessions have been uploaded onto the SWAC website - www.swac.org.hk .
SWAC is a Government advisory body chaired by a non-official chairman and comprising representatives from different sectors. It plays a vital role in keeping social welfare services under continuous review and advising the Government on social welfare policy.
Ends/Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Issued at HKT 19:20
NNNN
