HONG KONG, Dec. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- HSBC Community Partnership Programme 2014 (the Programme) commences with a launch ceremony at the HSBC Main Building today. Themed "Community for All", this year's Programme promotes social inclusion and integration to foster a caring community for all walks of life.
Mrs Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, co-officiated at the launch ceremony with Mr Peter Wong, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, Ms Anita Fung, Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, Dr Rosanna Wong, Non-executive Chairperson of the Hongkong Bank Foundation, Mrs Pamela Tan, Director of Home Affairs, Ms Carol Yip, Director of Social Welfare and Mr Bernard Chan, Chairman of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Mr Peter Wong says, "The theme of this year's HSBC Community Partnership Programme is 'Community for All'. We believe in promoting a diverse and inclusive community that gives all its members an equal opportunity to realise their full potential regardless of their race, age, family background, or physical capabilities. We are honoured to donate towards projects that make our community stronger by recognising that everyone has something of value to contribute."
Five awards are presented by Mrs Carrie Lam, Mr Peter Wong, Ms Anita Fung and Dr Rosanna Wong respectively today in recognition of the outstanding initiatives by the project organisers. The Outstanding District Efforts Award goes to Wong Tai Sin District, while "Love and Share, Dance", an initiative of the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG) wins the Outstanding Community Project Award with its all-round performance and successful planning demonstrated.
Led by Mr Andy Wong, a renowned dancer and choreographer, "Love and Share, Dance" promotes the spirit of integration and social inclusion by bringing together 40 young dancers and 80 mentally challenged persons to stage original dance performances in various occasions, including the launch ceremony today, where dancers from HKFYG and members of Dancing Troupe of St James' Settlement (Hong Kong's first professional dance team formed by mentally handicapped people) performed with positive spirit.
After the ceremony, the guests also tour the HSBC Community Partnership Exhibition. The exhibition showcases information about the programme on how it is going to make a difference in the community, as well as details about each initiative supported by HSBC Community Partnership Programme 2014.
Ms Anita Fung remarks, "HSBC Community Partnership Programme 2014 continues the bank's endeavour throughout all these years in contributing to our community. We are pleased to receive full support from the Home Affairs Department, the Social Welfare Department and The Hong Kong Council of Social Service again this year as our strategic partners."
"I would like to extend our gratitude to the District Councils, the Equal Opportunities Commission, the Family Council and MTR Corporation Limited for their unfailing support. Today's event would not have been successful without the efforts from local charity organisations, district organisations and every staff volunteer on site. In particular, I would like to thank HSBC's volunteers, colleagues and their families as well for their enormous support throughout the years," she says.
To find out more about The HSBC Community Partnership Programme, please visit:
https://www.communitypartnership.org.hk
HSBC Community Partnership Programme 2014 -- Award Winners
Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20141207/8521407343
