**********************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Elderly Commission:
The Elderly Commission has extended the application deadline for the setting up of Elder Academy from March 3 to March 9 after gathering feedback from interested parties and taking into account the long school holidays for the Lunar New Year.
As part of active ageing promotion, the commission launched the Pilot Elder Learning Scheme last month so that elders can have a better chance to acquire new knowledge and skills to cope with the advancement of our society.
Under the scheme, Elder Academy will be set up in various districts later this year. It aims to promote life-long learning, maintain physical and mental health, foster a sense of worthiness in elders, promote inter-generational solidarity, strengthen civic education and promote cross-sectoral harmony.
The deadline for education organisations and school/organisation partners to make joint applications to the commission for setting up an Elder Academy is now extended from March 3 to March 9. The commission hopes to disburse grants of $50,000 as seed money to elder academies before the end of 2007-08 financial year to enable them to commence operation by September, 2007.
The guidelines can be downloaded from www.elderlycommission.gov.hk. Enquiries can be made on 3150 8925 during office hours. Completed applications can be faxed to 3150 8930.
Ends/Friday, March 2, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:38
NNNN
