SCS visits Home Affairs Department (with photos)

     The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, visited the Home Affairs Department (HAD) today (January 26) to learn about the work and challenges facing the department and meet with its staff from various grades.
 
     Mrs Yeung said, "The new-term District Councils (DCs) after the improvement of district governance have assumed office early this month. One of the keys to effective implementation of district work hinges on maintaining positive interaction between civil servants and the DCs. I hope that we can have candid communication to harness the collective wisdom for taking practical actions to resolve district problems and promote district development. The HAD serves as a bridge between the Government and the people. Collecting public opinion allows the Government to keep close tabs on the pulse of the community to ensure effective communication between the Government and the public so that the Government will be able to formulate policies and services that better meet the needs of the people."
 
     Mrs Yeung, together with the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Clement Leung, met with the Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Alice Cheung, and directorate staff and received an update from them on the department's work in promotion of district governance.
 
     She also met and exchanged views with staff representatives from various grades. Mrs Yeung commended colleagues for their dedication in serving the public and thanked them for their commitment and diligence in their work for the DC election last month. She also encouraged them to continue to actively promote district work and to respond to the aspirations of the public.
 
     Mrs Yeung visited the divisions responsible for supporting and overseeing the District Services and Community Care Teams (Care Teams), supporting building management and promoting social enterprises. She was briefed by frontline staff on how to co-ordinate with the 452 Care Teams in various districts to strengthen support for district work and district networks. Mrs Yeung was pleased to learn that all District Offices would join hands with the DCs and collaborate with Care Teams of their district before the Lunar New Year to launch a series of care activities locally, so as to provide care and support to the elderly and those in need in the district.
 
     Mrs Yeung also visited the offices of the Wan Chai District Council Secretariat, the Community Affairs Section and the District Management and Administration Section to get an idea of their work in co-organising community activities and liaison with the DCs. Lastly, she visited the Wan Chai Home Affairs Enquiry Centre to learn about its general enquiry and free oath/affirmation service for members of the public.