• Mission
• Milestones
• Contributions
• Scope
• Recurrent Cost
• Identifying the Challenges
• Strategic Objectives
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MISSION OF SOCIAL WELFARE IN HONG KONG

MILESTONES OF SOCIAL WELFARE DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG

In 1960s, voluntary agencies pioneered various kinds of service initiatives, laying a good foundation for the social welfare development in Hong Kong. In 1970s and 1980s, in response to the rapid economic development, voluntary agencies worked hand in hand with the Government to develop diversified welfare services to meet the social needs. In 1990s, welfare agencies cultivated partnership with different sectors and even international counterparts to facilitate the development of society. In the past fifty years, social welfare in Hong Kong has rapid development, from providing relief work to providing diversified and professional services at international level.

CONTRIBUTIONS OF VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES IN HONG KONG

There are 424 voluntary welfare agencies, with over 40,000 employed staff, providing over 90% of the welfare services in Hong Kong. The number of benefited service recipients to around 81 millions man-times, including children, young people, adults, elderly people, disabled persons, chronically ill persons, unemployed people, women with emotional problems, and new arrivals, etc. Through providing services and support to all walks of life, voluntary agencies have been contributing much to social cohesion, stability, and development.

THE SCOPE OF WELFARE SERVICES IN HKSAR

Diversified social welfare services are provided in Hong Kong. Besides family, community, children, youth, and rehabilitation services, partnerships with different sectors have been enhanced in recent years to provide all kinds of pilot services, such as employee retraining programme, support service for the chronically ill persons, public education on prevention of AIDS, social work team at urban renewal areas, etc. The scope of welfare services covers aspects like labor, employment, education, medical, health care, housing, urban renewal, transport, eradication of poverty, and international relief work, etc.

RECURRENT COST OF SOCIAL WELFARE IN HONG KONG

In 2008/2009, the Government allocated HK$39.169 billions for welfare spending, among which HK$28.8 billions, HK$1.631 billions and HK$8.738 billions were allocated for social security, direct services operated by the Social Welfare Department, and different services operated by voluntary agencies respectively. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and the Community Chest had totally allocated over HK$0.342 billions. Therefore, the work of the welfare sector is essential in meeting various needs of society and building a stable society.

IDENTIFYING THE CHALLENGES FOR SOCIAL WELFARE IN HKSAR

In the coming years, the challenges for social welfare in Hong Kong is to deal with complex political, social and economic consequences arising from fast globalization, macro-economic unpredictability, structural unemployment, cross border movement, and rapid ageing population.

1. Economic Restructuring

• Job and Income Insecurity: The new mode of business operation due to technological advancement and globalization causes structural job displacement and leads to high rate of unemployment. Jobs are no longer stable and secured in all levels. Life-long careers are replaced by casual and contract jobs. Fast and continuous changes in job market warrant quick alignment of job skills and retraining of workers.
  
• Poverty and Disparities of Wealth: The number of people earning low wages is rising and the disparities between the wealthy and the poor are at its greatest. Poverty will continue to be a critical problem facing the significant population mass.
  
• Increasing Competition and Decreasing Life Chances: The belief that one could succeed if he/she tried hard enough is being challenged in this generation. Disadvantaged groups are at considerable risk under increasing competition, impairing their chances of improving their lives and moving up the social ladder will be increasingly difficult.

2. Social Changes

• Ageing and Radically Changing Population Structure: The ageing of the society is accelerating with the ageing of the baby-boom generation. In addition, the new arrivals from the Mainland continue to be a major factor contributing to the growth of the population. The changes in population profile such as age and sex composition, family structure will eventually affect the economic and social development of the society.
  
• Vaguer Border and Fluid Population: Changes in economic structure have led to more families with members going to seek employment cross the border. Hong Kong is no longer a secluded community from the Mainland. Fluid border situation and mobile population will create a new social dimension and challenges that will affect the planning of social services.
  
• Eroding Family Solidarity and Functioning: The changing family structure and weakening family relationship are eroding the traditional social support and caring functions of the family. Yet, there are few new social cohesive forces readily available to take its place.
  
• Social Exclusion and Marginalization: The social impact of increasing disparities in the economic situation is immense. Given less opportunities, more people will be excluded from social and economic participation. In this knowledge-based economy, the gap between those who are able to command the information technology and those who cannot is further segregating the less educated, low skilled, aged and disabled groups in what is called the Digital Divide.

3. Changes in Fabric for Social Cohesion

• Increasing Social Stress: Similar to the experience of many other parts of the world, economic downturn is likely to sharpen the conflict and dispute among different interest groups. In Hong Kong, the highly competitive, stressed and rapidly changing environment inevitably produces new forms of social deprivation, alienation and distress.
  
• Greater Demands for Social and Political Participation: There is a growing urge for a more transparent government and a more open administrative and political system. The betterment of Hong Kong relies very much on the active participation of the people who have a strong commitment to the well being of the society and a sense of belonging to the place.
  
• Rising Expectation on Accountability: There is increasing demand for efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of public services that calls for enhanced productivity and refocusing of resources.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES FOR SOCIAL WELFARE IN HKSAR

In the coming years, social welfare in Hong Kong has been facing many challenges. We need to invest in social welfare to build and rebuild the capacity of our community. We need to have a shift in focus on developing human capital, maximizing economic and social participation, strengthening family functioning and building community solidarity.

(June 2009)