Caring and Just Society Preamble Our vision for a Caring and Just Society celebrates the rich diversity of our community, recognising that each individual is endowed with different strengths. We aim to create an environment in which all people get every opportunity to develop their potential. Warm, supportive and stable families are what count most in nurturing the healthy development of individuals. We will strengthen family solidarity and foster mutual care and support in the community, so that all individuals are embedded in a network of care, trust, support and reciprocity. We will introduce health, social and housing policies and initiatives that enable individuals to enhance their community involvement. We will also ensure that there is a safety net so that those in need will also participate in economic and social life with dignity and self-reliance. New Initiatives We will:   Establish a coherent and comprehensive population policy. Implement an effective and sustainable safety net, particularly through the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme, to assist the financially vulnerable. Further facilitate child adoption through amendments to the Adoption Ordinance and give effect to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in respect of Intercountry Adoption. Develop a fee assistance scheme to allow the elderly to have more choices and flexibility in using residential care services. Develop a multi-pronged strategy to minimise the risk of avian influenza outbreaks. Regulate and develop Chinese medicine and introduce Chinese medicine into the public health care system. Ensure that the public enjoy a smokeless environment in work and other public places through amendments to the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance. Protect the public from misleading or untruthful health claims through amendments to the Undesirable Medical Advertisement Ordinance. Safeguard the health and safety of the public by developing a regulatory framework on the supply and use of medical devices. Improve overall food safety and control on agricultural and fisheries operations that have an impact on public health or the environment. Review the operating environment of public transport and develop a more rational process for fare adjustment. Review the mechanism for the determination of domestic rents for public housing, subject to the outcome of the current judicial review of the Housing Authority's decision to defer review of rents.   Ongoing Initiatives We are:   Strengthening community-building work at the district level. Considering legislation against racial discrimination. Operating the $300 million Community Investment and Inclusion Fund to encourage mutual concern and aid, and encourage community participation. Developing a new service delivery model to integrate family welfare services and community-based services to provide a continuum of preventive, supportive and remedial services. Enhancing youth services through an integrated and holistic approach. Promoting active and healthy ageing. Conducting studies with a view to developing a sustainable financial support system that better targets resources at elders most in need. Improving accessibility for people with disabilities by enhancing guidelines for barrier free access. Creating an enabling environment to develop women's full potential and to build up their capability to face life's challenges and participate fully in all aspects of community life. Enhancing primary medical care for the public through developing a pluralistic primary care model in the public health sector. Working out a sustainable long-term funding arrangement for the Hospital Authority to ensure the provision of quality public health care services. Maintaining supply of public rental housing for needy applicants within an average waiting time of three years.   Contents | Next   2003 | Important notices Last revision date: January 8, 2003