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The following is issued on behalf of the Social Welfare Advisory Committee:
The consultation on long-term social welfare planning in Hong Kong conducted by the Social Welfare Advisory Committee (SWAC) will come to an end this Saturday (July 31). The SWAC calls on stakeholders from different sectors to submit their views as soon as possible.
The SWAC released the consultation paper "Long-term Social Welfare Planning in Hong Kong" on April 14, 2010, to invite views from the sector and stakeholders on the subjects set out in the paper. These include the major issues and factors affecting the provision of social welfare, the mission and values of social welfare, the guiding principles for social welfare planning and strategic directions for planning and provision of welfare services.
Apart from sending the consultation paper to relevant stakeholders, the SWAC has also uploaded it onto the Internet for public reference. To gauge directly the views of different sectors, the SWAC has held six consultation sessions during the consultation period, attended the special meetings of the Legislative Council Panel on Welfare Services and met with individual organisations.
SWAC Chairman Professor Chan Yuk-shee said, "During the consultation sessions and meetings organised by the SWAC and individual organisations/agencies, we have gathered views from different stakeholders on long-term social welfare planning. The SWAC will thoroughly study and analyse the views and comments received and prepare a report for consideration by the Administration.
"The consultation period will end this Saturday. I would like to invite stakeholders from different sectors to submit their written comments to the SWAC as soon as possible, so as to facilitate the formulation of a blueprint for future social welfare development in Hong Kong."
Ends/Thursday, July 29, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:00
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