First Community Outreach Programme - Wanchai District

Date and Time:

29 July 2006 (Saturday)
9.30 am - 12.45 pm; followed by Wanchai Cultural Tour

Venue:

Ming Hua Hall, St. James' Settlement, Stone Nullah Lane, Wanchai

Co-organizers:

St. James' Settlement and Wanchai District Council

Content of the Programme:

This is the first Community Outreach Programme funded by the Council for Sustainable Development. The event started with a welcome speech by Ms. Christine Fang J.P., Member of the Council for Sustainable Development and Chair of the Education and Publicity Sub-committee (EPSC) of the Council, followed by an introduction of the SDF project by Mr. Michael Lai, Member of the Council for Sustainable Development and EPSC; Chief Executive Officer of St. James' Settlement.

Welcome speech by Ms. Fang, Member of the Council for Sustainable Development and Chair of the Education and Publicity Sub-committee of the Council

Introduction of the event by Mr. Michael Lai, Member of the Council for Sustainable Development and EPSC; Chief Executive Officer of St. James' Settlement

Mr. Laurence Lam, Service in-charge of Community Development Services of St. James' Settlement and Ms. Ada Wong J.P., Chair of Wanchai District Council both gave a presentation, one on the implementation of the Sustainable Wanchai Community Development 21 and the other on the project's impact on Wanchai respectively. The $1.3 m SDF project was approved by the Council in 2004 with the objective of revitalizing and co-ordinating the various forms of social capital within the old Wanchai to develop a people-oriented and socially, environmentally and economically sustainable community. Under the project, the Wanchai Livelihood Museum, Wanchai Cultural Tours, Community Ambassador Training Workshop, the radio station "Community Forum" and the Organic Farming of Coral Mushroom etc. have been launched to raise the awareness of local residents in community affairs and encourage their participation. The impacts on the local community were significant.

Presentation and Experience-sharing by Mr. Laurence Lam, Service in-charge of Community Development Services of St. James' Settlement

Experience-sharing by Ms. Ada Wong J.P., Chair of Wanchai District Council

After the experience-sharing session, refreshments were served and the participants exchanged views on the programme and issues about Sustainable Development. In order to demonstrate the sustainable development concept and practise its principles, the organizers engaged the Women's co-op of St. James' Settlement to prepare the drinks and snacks for the guests in order to maximize local social capital. While the ladies were given an opportunity to get a reasonable return from their catering service, they were also able to improve their self-esteem and self-image through this exercise. This is a good opportunity to encourage local women to actively participate in and contribute to their local community.

After the tea break, the participants formed seven groups to discuss sustainable development issues in Hong Kong followed by a reporting session.

Download here to view the Summary of Views

After the interactive group discussion, some participants joined the COP demo-session which was the local Cultural Tours. The tours were guided by residents from Wanchai and the tours were themed "Wanchai ghost stories" and "Wanchai Urban Regeneration" respectively to introduce the local heritage and culture.

Wanchai Cultural Tour guided by trained local residents

Despite the heavy rain in the morning, there were more than 100 participants attending the event.

You are most welcome to join our forthcoming Community Outreach Programmes to be held throughout Hong Kong. Please browse our website for updated information.