Speech by CS at the opening ceremony of Operation Santa Claus 2011 (English only) (with photo/video)

Speech by CS at the opening ceremony of Operation Santa Claus 2011 (English only) (with photo/video)
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     Following is the speech delivered by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Stephen Lam, at the opening ceremony of Operation Santa Claus 2011 today (November 14):

Cliff (Cliff Buddle, Editor-in-Chief, South China Morning Post), Roy (Roy Tang, Director of Broadcasting), Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen,

     It really gives me tremendous pleasure and honour to be able to join you tonight for Operation Santa Claus 2011.  To take advantage of this festive and charitable occasion, I’d like to convey to you three messages.

     First of all, for any proponents of community projects in Hong Kong, it would do very well to emulate what Operation Santa Claus has done for the last quarter of the century.  Operation Santa Claus is very successful in their focus on the community groups, the NGOs, which are less well-known among Hong Kong society.  RTHK and SCMP would give them profile, report on their work and let the people of Hong Kong understand what their objectives are, how they serve the people of Hong Kong, take the initiative to heart and contribute.

     This approach is professional and methodical.  It is an approach which all community projects in Hong Kong should emulate.  Your results over the last 24 years, since 1987, speak for themselves.  As Bryan Curtis said, for the last quarter of the century, you have raised about $150 million.  And I am aware that you have benefited over 120 community organisations.  You are broadening the net of charity initiatives, and this is very good news for Hong Kong.

     Secondly, like Operation Santa Claus, community projects must choose a good brand name.  “Santa Claus”, whoever chose this brand name for this initiative got it all right.  The name speaks volumes as it reflects both festive and giving spirit of Christmas.  Over the years whenever we see floods in the Mainland of China; earthquakes in other parts of Asia; tsunami around the world, Hong Kong people are very ready and willing to give for a good course.  With a good brand name, like Operation Santa Claus, you have doubled results for normal efforts.  And for the extra effort which the Operation Santa Claus pushes, you get more than excellent results every year.  So I wish you well for what you are aiming to provide this year.

     Thirdly, for any community projects which wish to be successful in Hong Kong community, you must continue to broaden your horizon.  This is precisely what Operation Santa Claus has done for the last 24 years.  Initially, you focused on children projects.  Santa Claus – Children is a very logical relationship.  What I have observed is that you have broadened your horizon to encompass needs both in Hong Kong and in the Mainland.  Next year you want to use the proceeds of today’s initiative to benefit horse-riding for the disabled, ageing people who need a workshop, AIDS patients, and Save-a-Baby in Guizhou.  All these projects demonstrate how you have broadened the hearts of Hong Kong for over 20 years.  I think Operation Santa Claus is to be congratulated for bringing that to our territory.

     In my new role, I have various responsibilities and one of them is the Community Care Fund.  What did we do then?  We want to catch people who fall between the cracks among the safety net of Hong Kong, like public housing, comprehensive social security.  We want to provide things like free lunches for needed students.  We want to give them an opportunity to go to the Mainland or other parts outside Hong Kong to see what the rest of the world is like and how people are doing there.  I think Operation Santa Claus operates under the same spirit to catch those who may fall between the cracks in a relatively affluent society like Hong Kong.  This is the spirit which reflects the same in the Bible: “Love thy neighbour as thy self.”  I have my good wish to Operation Santa Claus.  May you go from strength to strength so that you can bring Hong Kong society to an even higher level in terms of our charitable initiatives.

     Thank you very much.

Ends/Monday, November 14, 2011
Issued at HKT 21:42

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