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The current-term Government accords high importance to the well-being of elderly persons, with "care for the elderly" being one of its policy priorities. The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, said this at an Elder Academy High Table Dinner at the University of Hong Kong organised by the New Territories West Elder Academies Cluster tonight (October 5).
"We are committed to mapping out a comprehensive strategy for our ageing population. We strive to promote a culture of caring and respect for the elderly. Our aim is to provide our elderly persons with a sense of security, a sense of belonging and a feeling of health and worthiness," said Mr Cheung.
Mr Cheung was pleased to witness the extraordinary opportunity that the event has provided for more than 230 elderly persons and 50 students to interact with each other, and remarked that the event realises the social goal of cross-generational inclusion.
To enhance the sustainable development of the Elder Academy Scheme and to realise the measures outlined in the 2014 Policy Address, the Government injected $50 million to the Elder Academy Development Foundation early this year. The Committee on the Elder Academy Development Foundation has also streamlined its funding coverage such as investing more resources in the sustainable development of those Elder Academies at primary and secondary schools and expanding Elder Academy's network to various districts in Hong Kong which in turn provides a more diverse learning platform for the elderly persons.
The Government also launched a new phase of the Neighbourhood Active Ageing Project in June this year. The response in funding applications has been overwhelming.
In addition, Mr Cheung said that the Government aimed at extending the popular concessionary $2 fare scheme (the Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities) to green minibuses in phases starting from the first quarter of 2015, subject to the funding approval by the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council.
"This will further promote active ageing in the community," he noted.
Ends/Sunday, October 5, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:55
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