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The following is issued on behalf of the Family Council:
To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family (IYF), the Family Council, the Social Welfare Department, the Hong Kong Council of Social Service and the Consortium of Institutes on Family in the Asian Region together launched at a ceremony this afternoon (May 6) a series of territory-wide activities to be held for the IYF campaign this year.
Speaking at the ceremony as one of the officiating guests, the Chairman of the Family Council, Professor Daniel Shek, said, "It is like planting flowers and trees - each family member should commit to and actively participate in their families wholeheartedly and make an effort to cultivate their family in positive and constructive manner."
Professor Shek also encouraged members of the public to show concern for and take action to help families in need, to actively promote the balance between work and family and intergenerational solidarity. He said that contributions from different sectors in society are indispensable in cultivating a culture of caring families.
To echo the theme of IYF, the co-organisers will hold an array of territory-wide publicity activities to highlight the importance of families, including radio programmes, workshops and joint performances. The music video of the IYF campaign's theme song, sung by singer Cheung Chi-lam, was premiered at the launching ceremony this afternoon.
The co-organisers will hold a Family Summit on May 15, which is the International Day of Families, and an Asian family symposium later this year to raise public awareness of family-related issues, enhance intergenerational solidarity and promote the balance between work and family. Moreover, new family education packages to address the needs of young families and families of new arrivals are expected to be released in the second half of 2014.
Other officiating guests at the ceremony included the Director of Social Welfare, Ms Carol Yip; the Chairperson of the Consortium of Institutes on Family in the Asian Region, Mrs Patricia Chu; the Business Director of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, Mr Cliff Choi; the Deputy Secretary for Home Affairs, Ms Gracie Foo; and the Controller (Radio) of Radio Television Hong Kong, Ms Lisa Liu.
The details of the IYF campaign will be available on the Family Council's website (www.familycouncil.gov.hk).
Ends/Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:33
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