Engagement session on “The Chief Executive’s 2023 Policy Address” for ethnic minorities (with photos)
The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, attended the engagement session on "The Chief Executive's 2023 Policy Address" for representatives of ethnic minorities (EMs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) providing services to EMs held at the Central Government Offices today (November 27). She introduced the policy measures related to the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) in the Policy Address to the participants. She also engaged in interactive discussions with the participants and listened to their views, and introduced the significance of the first District Council Election after improving the district governance system.
During the engagement session, Miss Mak introduced the key initiatives in the Policy Address on supporting EMs to integrate into the community. She emphasised that the Government attached great importance to the needs of EMs and had been striving to support their integration into the community so as to enable them to unleash their potential. She said that the Home Affairs Department would set up two additional support service centres for EMs (EM centres), bringing the total number of EM centres to 10; and invite each of the 10 EM centres to set up one EM Care Team to proactively reach out to EM households, understanding their needs and introducing to them public services.
Miss Mak said that the Government was committed to building a caring and inclusive society and would continue to provide services and support to facilitate EMs’ integration into the local community and access to public services.
Members of the Committee on the Promotion of Racial Harmony and representatives of the NGOs operating the EM centres were invited to the engagement session. These NGOs are Hong Kong Christian Service, Hong Kong Community Network, Hong Kong Lutheran Social Service, International Social Service Hong Kong Branch, New Home Association, Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council and Yuen Long Town Hall. The participants welcomed the new initiatives in the Policy Address to enhance support to EMs and provided valuable advice and suggestions. Miss Mak expressed her gratitude to the participants for their continuous support for racial harmony and reiterated the emphasis the Government had placed on supporting the EMs.
The 2023 District Council Ordinary Election is approaching. Miss Mak took the opportunity to explain again to the participants the significance of the Election and to call on the participants and their families to cast their votes on December 10 to elect capable District Council members who are committed to serving the public. She also appealed to the participants to join the activities organised by the District Council, in order to unite the efforts of all parties in building a caring and inclusive society.