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Speech by SHA at opening ceremony of 2017 Cultural Leadership Summit of Hong Kong Arts Administrators Association (English only)
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     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, at the opening ceremony of the 2017 Cultural Leadership Summit of the Hong Kong Arts Administrators Association today (September 26):
 
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good morning. It is my great pleasure to join you all here at the opening ceremony of the 2017 Cultural Leadership Summit. On behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, I would like to extend my warmest welcome to all leading participants, both old and new and local and from overseas.
 
     Thanks to the sustained efforts of the Hong Kong Arts Administrators Association, the Cultural Leadership Summit comes to its eighth edition this year. With its ever-growing reputation, the Summit has become an annual signature event which brings together renowned cultural leaders and arts practitioners from far and wide to engage in rounds of constructive discussions.
 
     As we all know, arts and culture play a significant role in enriching our life. The Government spares no effort in this respect. It is always our mission to make every endeavour to provide the necessary conditions for the development of arts and culture in this city. 
 
     Several major projects are now in progress and a good example is the West Kowloon Cultural District. Upon completion, a number of state-of-the-art venues will be made available for artists and cultural practitioners to stage performances and hold exhibitions. 
         
     I am glad to see that the Summit this year carries the theme of "Building Our Future Audience", which is in line with our policy as what I have just said. The Summit will surely provide an excellent platform for participants from diverse cultural backgrounds to share their professional knowledge of developing a wide and engaged audience.
 
     Needless to say, audience building is one of our missions. To develop a vibrant arts and cultural scene, we need to build an appreciative audience in the territory. The Audience Building Office set up by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department has an aim to promote arts knowledge and appreciation through various schemes like the Community Cultural Ambassador Scheme, and a wide range of arts educational activities such as the School Performing Arts in Practice Scheme and the School Culture Day Scheme.
 
     I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all inspirational guest speakers for their valuable contributions to the Summit. May I wish the event every success and all of you a fruitful and stimulating experience. Thank you.
 
 
Ends/Tuesday, September 26, 2017
Issued at HKT 10:44
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