SWD holds OEP Award Presentation Ceremony to promote positive ageing (with photos)

     The Social Welfare Department (SWD) today (November 9) held the 2022 Award Presentation Ceremony of the Opportunities for the Elderly Project (OEP) at the Hong Kong Science Park. The ceremony was broadcast live via the OEP Facebook page and YouTube channel so that elderly persons participating in the OEP in various districts could also join the event concurrently.
 
     Addressing the award presentation ceremony, the Director of Social Welfare, Miss Charmaine Lee, said that the OEP, which was launched 24 years ago, encourages the elderly to unleash their potential and continue their contributions to society through a diverse range of programmes funded by the SWD and arranged by district organisations. Miss Lee said she was pleased to note the outstanding achievements of the OEP, which has strived to provide more than 6 600 subsidised district programmes for close to 4 million participants, including 2.4 million elderly people.
 
     The Chairman of the Elderly Commission, Dr Donald Li, who also attended the ceremony, commended the OEP for its addition of new elements, such as intergenerational harmony, neighbourhood support and information technology, to keep itself abreast of the times. He appealed to the elderly to visit the OEP Facebook page, which is an effective online promotional platform with diversified information and fun-filled online games or activities.
 
     Also officiating at the ceremony was the Chairman of the OEP Advisory Committee, Professor Diana Lee, who joined Miss Lee and Dr Li to present the top three winners of the Hong Kong Best OEP Award for one-year projects and two-year projects. Members of the OEP Advisory Committee also presented a total of 33 awards, including the Special OEP Awards for one-year projects and two-year projects, and the district Best OEP Award for one-year projects and two-year projects.
 
     Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council Chuk Yuen Canon Martin District Elderly Community Centre was awarded the Championship of the Hong Kong Best OEP Award for one-year projects with their programme which aims to enhance intergenerational harmony through the use of information technology. Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service Tai Po Baptist Church Au Cheung Sau Fong Neighbourhood Elderly Centre, which ran a programme to promote active ageing and neighbourhood spirit, was the winner for two-year projects.
 
     The first Thursday of November has been selected as OEP Day by the SWD since 2020. A group of elderly volunteers was recruited by the SWD this year to be OEP Ambassadors. These ambassadors went into the community on OEP Day on November 3 this year to promote positive ageing by distributing OEP stickers and cards to members of the public.
 
     Injected with the celebratory elements of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the award presentation ceremony this year was especially meaningful. It also featured a variety of performances and games at a venue decorated with the theme "airport and travel" to boost the joyful atmosphere.
 
     For details of the OEP and an archive of today's event, please visit the OEP Facebook page (www.facebook.com/OpportunitiesForTheElderlyProject/live).