On 24 September 2008, the Hong Kong Council of Social Services (hereinafter referred to as the HKCSS) organized the u0022CSR Seminar 2008,u0022 where speakers shared their ideas on how to promote environmental protection to make Hong Kong a great place to live. The seminar attracted a total of more than 200 representatives from the government, the business sector and the NGOs.

The seminar consisted of two parts. In the first part, four keynote speakers from the government, the business and academic world shared their different perspectives on how to develop Hong Kong into an ideal city for sustainable development. In the second part a panel discussion took place around u0022Opportunities for Environmentally Friendly Businessesu0022.

Keynote Presentation: Business impact on environmental protection and sustainable development

In her welcome address to the seminar participants, Christine Fang, Chief Executive of the HKCSS stated that many companies perceive promotion of environmental protection as an important cornerstone of their company mission. Not only have these companies implemented energy-saving measures, but they have also partnered with external parties to organize environmental protection activities in a number of different districts of Hong Kong or across Hong Kong.

As one of the keynote speakers, the Hon Edward Yau, the Secretary for the Environment, stated that the practice of environmental protection not only ensures business development, but can also benefit companies in two ways: firstly, reduce energy and raw material related cost and secondly to increase return. He also pointed out that the adoption of environmental protection practices adds value to a company’s products and services, creating brand value which will help improve long-term return.

Environmental protection and corporate sustainable development have an interrelated relationship. Ms Teresa Au, Head of Corporate Sustainability Asia Pacific Region, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited stated that climate change has an impact on human well-being and the business environment. As a consequence, the business sector should actively stimulate a low-carbon society to protect the environment.

Environmental protection must also rely on the promotion of civic education. Professor Ho Kin Chung, BBS, Dean, School of Science and Technology, the Open University of Hong Kong stated that education in environmental protection includes: to save energy and raw materials, to provide a high-quality living environment, to broaden the international horizon of the public, to establish awareness as global citizens and to accelerate corporate team spirit.

Dr Allan Zeman, GBS, JP, Chairman, Ocean Park Corporation adopted an entertaining approach to promote environmental protection and preservation. Dr Zeman realized that people prefer entertainment to education. Therefore, education should be delivered in a much more entertaining approach. He pointed out that environmental protection education should start with the next generation. In the past 15 years, a total number of 500,000 students participated in the Ocean Park Institute curriculum.

Panel Discussion: Opportunities for Environmentally Friendly Businesses

Four panelists coming from a background in environmental protection and in business sector exchanged thoughts and shared practical experiences of business opportunities and challenges related to environmental protection.

Mr Shek Kang Chuen, President, Hong Kong Organic Farm said that running organic farms is for business, but also for offering a desirable location to educate the next generation of environmental protection. The Farm had organized a series of environmental education programmes for over 10,000 Hong Kong students since its establishment. Though participating in the activities, students would know more about environmental protection and organic farming.

Running a retail shop of organic vegetables, Mr Alan Leung, Director, Oh My Farm Gourmet Greens Plus Ltd described it is a new challenge to him and to the market. The shop is located in city and is decorated in European style with light music. The fashionable style of the retail shop gives consumers a brand new experience when buying vegetables.

Mr Wong Chee Wing, Managing Director, Sailing Boat Catering Management Ltd, has engaged in the catering industry for many years and has been committed to green production by taking the lead in implementing the policy of recycling and saving the cost of production. When it comes to thawing process, adopting environmental friendly production approach, water can be reduced by around 70 per cent, saving a lot of money.

Professor Ho Kin Chung is of the opinion that as long as companies embrace environmental protection sincerely and whole-heartedly, business opportunities will ultimately be identified.

Mr Vincent Wong, Director of Strategic Planning, Commercial Radio stated that if enterprises do not fulfill their obligations to protecting the environment, the speed of how our resources are being wasted and the level of pollution will be accelerated. By adopting practices that protect and preserve the environment, businesses are in fact buying insurance for our earth, so that our earth will not fall into a bad debt crisis in terms of environmental protection.

A community visit was arranged to Club O – Lai Chi Kok Education and Resource Center on 11 September 2008 to promote healthy life styles and environment protection at workplaces.

Club O is operated by Green Live Education Foundation established in 2004, with the aim to promote green living in Hong Kong with its canteen and sales store. A total number of 23 representatives from Caring Companies and Caring Organizations were gathered to enjoy a luncheon prepared by experienced voluntary chefs. Full course of meal was served, with appetizer, salad, main course, desert and drink, all are healthy vegetarian food. During lunch, Mr Vincent Lee, a Chinese medicine practitioner, shared ‘healthy living’ tips with participants.

Dr. Simon Chau, Chairman of Green Live Education Foundation, introduced the organization background and philosophy in establishing the Foundation. Dr. Chau urged participants to pay more attention to environmental protection in workplaces, reducing unnecessary wastes could be one of the effective ways to save our environment. He also shared his insights in green living, especially on how to build up team spirit through green living education at work.

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The experienced voluntary chefs are preparing their special recipe as appetizer.

Dr Simon Chau, Chairman of Green Live Education Foundation, shared his insights on how to build up team spirit through green living education.

All participants, voluntary chefs and staff of Club O took group photos with Dr Chau’s paintings.

On August 14, 2008, 21 Caring Company representatives visited the Providence Garden for Rehab in Tuen Mun. Through visiting this facility, the participants could understand the latest trend in rehabilitation service development and to explore how company could help the mentally challenged people to develop their potentials and take part in the community affairs.

The 12-story Providence Garden for Rehab provides integrated professional service, including residential service, job-training and psychological counseling for over 1,000 individuals with mental illness or mental retarded persons. Ms Friendly Au-yeung, Chief Manager of the Garden made a very interesting introduction on their service concepts and features, as well as various services in different level in the building. The Garden not only focuses on mentally challenged people’s physical health, but also their mental wellness. Chinese medicine concept, emphasis on balancing various elements in our body, was adopted in daily service, this could help mentally challenged people to aware the importance of both mental and physical health. Besides caring for the users’ mental health, the Garden is also caring for the physical and psychological healthiness of their staff: The Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council provides emotions support to its staff to ensure their physical and psychological wellness, which could support them to tackle their challenging job.

Afterwards, participants were guided-toured to different service units including the residential environment, shelter-workshop and a social enterprise cafe. They were also provided a chance participating in the production of recycle paper, various mosaic products, felt needlework products etc in the shelter-workshop, by interacting with the ex-mentally-ill people, participants could learn more about mentally challenged people’s daily life. Apart from indoor training, the Garden also has an outdoor organic plantation. Horticultural therapy could help ex-mentally-ill people regaining their self-confidence. With the company of Garden staff, ex-mentally-ill people are encouraged to involve themselves in the community, learning techniques in daily life such as purchasing commodity, travelling with Octopus card in public transports, and using road facility etc, these could help to prepare them reintegrate into society.

Representatives from Caring Company reflected that through this visit, their knowledge in latest rehabilitation service could be enhanced, they were also inspired with more ideas how the business could help mentally challenged people such as organize volunteer teams, purchase rehabilitation clients’ made products and provide placement opportunities to them.

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Caring Company representatives arrived at the lobby of The Providence Garden of Rehab.

Participants tried to make recycle paper with mentally challenged people.

Products of mentally challenged people and mental retarded persons are for sale in lobby.

Imagine living with 20 families in a flat with not more than 900 square feet, how would you feel? The best way to fully understand the real needs of those in the low stratum of society is through face to face dialogue during home visits.

On 2nd Aug, a sultry Saturday afternoon, the Society for Community Organization (SoCO) led a group of more than 10 people including Mr Daryl Ng, Executive Director of Sino Group; Mr Sunny Yeung, Executive Director of Sino Group and Ms Christine Fang, Chief Executive of HKCSS to visit several families living in worn-out buildings in Sham Shui Po. These families include single-elderly and new immigrants. Though living in poor conditions, they pay a relatively high rent which is a heavy burden to them.

In such hot summer day, climbing up the dark and narrow stairs, everyone was sweated all over. However, they did not mind being cramped in a small room, or being stuck in a narrow corridor which fits for one person only. They chatted with the families freely on their living conditions and needs. The representatives from the Sino Group brought rice as a gift and as a token of their care to the families. Moreover, in view of their specific needs, Mr Ng and Mr Yeung promised to buy them different electronic appliances. The children were invited to participate in their upcoming activities as well.

After saying goodbye to the last family, the participants visited the u0022West Kowloon: Where Life, Heritage and Culture Meetu0022 exhibition organized by SoCO to gain an in-depth understanding of the culture and development of Sham Shui Po, such as the cage homes.

Following the success of the breakfast meetings in April and May 08, another was held on 10 July 2008 at the Hong Kong Club, with representatives from the corporate members of the Patron’s Club, media partners of the Scheme – Hong Kong Economic Times and Radio Television Hong Kong – and a supporting organisation of the Scheme – the Hong Kong Federation of Industries. The Hon Bernard Chan, Chairperson, and Ms Christine Fang, Chief Executive of HKCSS, introduced the achievements of the Scheme to date, and led the discussion on strategies for promoting Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) through the Caring Company Scheme in the years ahead. Two academic visitors from the University of Michigan (USA) also joined the event. Click here for the participants’ list

The Patron’s Club has been championing the development of CSR through the Caring Company Scheme, and will continue to support this sustainable platform for the caring movement in Hong Kong. Other dialogue sessions will be held periodically in the future among business leaders and other stakeholders who care about CSR development in the local community.

Mr Leo Kung, Steering Committee Member of the Caring Company Scheme, Ms Miranda Leung, General Manager – Corporate Relations of MTR Corporation discussed potential benefits and obstacles that corporations across the globe may encounter in paving the way for CSR.

A precious moment for the honorable guests to discuss on strategies for promoting Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) through the Caring Company Scheme

In recent years, inter-generational poverty has become one of the major concerns of disadvantaged families. The Hong Kong Government has established the Child Development Fund (CDF), which aims to encourage children to actively plan for their futures, cultivate a positive outlook on life and promote the development of asset-building habits. This October, the CDF will pioneer its first batch of projects in 7 districts, including Tin Shui Wai and Tung Chung. The CDF would comprise of three major components: personal development plans, mentorship programmes and targeted savings. We hope to raise understanding of these aims amongst interested businesses and NGOs, and thus, a briefing session was held on July 3 (Thursday), which was attended by almost 200 business and NGO representatives.

Mr Paul Tang, Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare was present to introduce the details of the CDF – its operation, the matching donations, mentorship programmes, etc, and addressed related questions from the audience.

Prof Charles Chan, Department of Applied Social Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Prof Alvin Leung, Department of Educational Psychology, Chinese University of Hong Kong also both gave presentations at the briefing session, iterating how mentorship and child development programmes can impact children’s futures – their careers and their personal lives. They emphasized that through these programmes and under mentors’ guidance, children and adolescents will be more able to reach short-term, and even long-term, personal development goals. Even more importantly, the friendship and trust resulting from the mentoring process and communication will be of utmost value in helping children and adolescents mature.

Three Caring Company and Caring Organisation representatives were invited to speak at in a panel discussion to share their organisation’s experiences of mentorship programmes. These guests included Ms Kathy Cheung, Citi Country Corporate Affairs Director, Ms Susanna Chiu, Council Member of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and Ms Maria Cheung, Assistant General Manager, Corporate Communications of NWS Holdings Ltd. The organizations they represent have established various cross-sectoral partnerships and projects which focus on child development and mentorship, and they shared anecdotes of colleagues who have participated and been moved as they watched, and helped, children make great leaps of improvement, particularly in their studies and in interpersonal communication.

This August, the CDF will select the NGOs that will operate each of these 7 pioneer projects. If you would like to become a supporter, please look out for our most recent updates.

Mr Paul Tang, Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare introduced the Child Development Fund, and addressed to questions raised by the audience.

Mr Paul Tang, Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare introduced the Child Development Fund, and addressed to questions raised by the audience.

Prof Charles Chan, Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Prof Alvin Leung, Department of Educational Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

(From left) Ms Maria Cheung of NWS Holdings Limited, Ms Susanna Chiu of Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Ms Kathy Cheung of Citi and Mr Cliff Choi, the moderator

The Caring Company Scheme arranged a community visit for corporations to two service units providing employment and life-skills training to ethnic minorities, on June 20, 2008. The aim of the visit was to enhance corporate understanding of the need for social service, and to explore partnership opportunities between the commercial and social welfare sectors. This activity was sponsored by S.F. Express (Hong Kong) Limited.

Currently, there are over 300,000 ethnic minorities residing in Hong Kong. Whilst most are domestic helpers, there are still over 50,000 non-domestic helpers living in the local community. Due to cultural differences and language barriers, ethnic minorities face many difficulties, including in education, employment and everyday life. Many simple things, such as medical consultations, purchasing sundries and even reading road signs can be challenging tasks.

Firstly, the participants visited the Hong Kong Family Welfare Society. With the support of the HSBC Foundation, the Hong Kong Family Welfare Society launched the u0022Loving Bridgeu0022 project to support the integration of ethnic minorities. Their services include Cantonese lessons, tutoring services for children, an adaptation programme, family activities, employment services, etc. The project helps ethnic minorities to broaden their social lives, facilitates integration into the community and enhances inter-family relationships. u0022Loving Bridgeu0022 received the Outstanding Partnership Project Award in 2007/08.

Against the cultural and religious background, the social status of South Asian women is relatively low. Language barriers further hinder interaction with local people and access to useful information. The u0022Love MultiCultureu0022 project, launched by the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Lady MacLehose Centre in 2007, aims to enhance the self-esteem of South Asian women by emphasizing their competence and potential. Through employment training and real-life sales practice in their store, the project strengthens South Asian women’s self-confidence.

From this second project, corporate representatives gained insight into the challenges faced by ethnic minorities in everyday life, and also received the opportunity to interact with the South Asian community. The commercial sector is encouraged to explore partnership opportunities in various ethnic minority services, such as in the coordination of tutorial volunteers, providing employment and training opportunities, etc., which would be huge steps in facilitating ethnic minorities’ integration into the Hong Kong society as a whole.

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The u0022Loving Bridgeu0022 Project joined hands by HSBC and Hong Kong Family Welfare Society enhances multicultural diversity.

South Asian women were demonstrating the production of Nepalese food.

u0022Love Multi Cultureu0022 project, operated by the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Lady MacLehose Center, provides employment training for the Ethnic Minority.

The South Asian women are excellent in handicraft making.

A Social Enterprise located in Kwai Chung Mall selling handmade clothing and accessories by the South Asian women.

Helping people help themselves: a South Asian woman as an English teacher for children in Kwai Chung district.

Another 10 and more business leaders of the Caring Company Patron’s Club met at breakfast on 28 May (Wednesday) following the one which has been held on 24 April. Representatives from the Business Environmental Council and the Institute of Architects, two of the supporting organizations have been invited to join the discussion. Click here for the participants’ list

The Hon Bernard Chan, Chairperson and Ms Christine Fang, Chief Executive of HKCSS highlighted the achievement of the Scheme in promotion of corporate community involvement. There was discussion on the strategies of fostering Corporate Social Responsibility. The participants shared views especially on tripartite partnerships. Another round of gathering will continue in July.

Recruitment of Patrons for 2008/09 is soon to be commenced. Please join hands with us to promote corporate citizenship through the Caring Company platform! Should you be interested in developing partnerships with the Caring Company Scheme, please mail or please contact us at 28762469.

The Hon Bernard Chan, Chairperson and Ms Christine Fang, Chief Executive of HKCSS highlighted the achievement of the Scheme in promotion of corporate community involvement.

Representatives of the Caring Company Patron’s Club met at the breakfast meeting.

Business leaders shared views on sustainable CSR participation.

The Hon Bernard Chan, Chairperson and Ms Christine Fang, Chief Executive of HKCSS reviewed on the past achievements of the Caring Company Scheme and highlighted the way forward

The Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) invited around 20 Caring Company representatives to participate in a community visit on 23 May 2008. This community visit, sponsored by the S.F. Express (Hong Kong) Limited, aims at providing an opportunity for representatives from various business sectors to know more about the importance and necessity of child development and to inspire the participants to generate ideas of possible cooperation with social welfare organisations. The cooperation would contribute substantially to a healthy environment for children to grow up.

The participants firstly visited the Caritas Jockey Club Integrated Service for Young People – Tak Tin (with coach service) centre to know more about the Supportive Services for children with Special Learning Disabilities (SLD) Scheme collaborated between Caritas and Johnson u0026amp; Johnson (Hong Kong) Limited. Children with SLD are intellectually normal, but they face tremendous pressure originating from the hardship in learning and communication, hindering much of exploring their talents. The disadvantaged families often fail to arrange children with SLD to receive official assessment and professional training on a timely basis.

In view of this, the Scheme has been mainly tailored for the disadvantaged families who have children with SLD with the aim to build up confidence and to bring hope not only to children with SLD, but also to their parents. The Scheme stresses out the importance for both children with SLD and parents to face daily challenges together in an optimistic way. Complemented with individual tailor-made academic support, emotional counseling service and multiple intelligences training, children with SLD can grow healthily.

The participants then visited the Caritas Yau Tong Nursery School to know more about the 2-year project titled u0022School Social Service for Nursery Schoolsu0022, supported by the Lee Hysan Foundation and run by Caritas Hong Kong starting from last year in Yau Tong district. Many parents are unable to perform their parental duties due to stress from the fast-pace society and financial pressure. Most of them are not aware of the assistance available for them in the community. However, School Social Workers can provide complementary and supportive services to parents, to help the families to cope with family stress and to prevent family crisis on a timely basis.

The School Social Workers stated that students at Yau Tong district are from families characterized by low monthly income, low education levels, dual-employed or single parents, often newly-migrated from Mainland China, and those with special needs. With case sharing of some families, the participants have gained in-depth understanding about the substantial adverse impact on the children development caused by family problems. Timely mediation and intervention from social workers is of paramount importance.

Through this community visit, the participants have much better comprehended the needs of children with SLD and school social services in nursery schools. The business sector is encouraged to donate directly to these social service organisations. Alternatively, corporate volunteer teams can organise visits and activities regularly, joined by friends and relatives. Sharing of children’s state of mind helps to build up a close and friendly relationship with children. All these volunteer works give positive impact on child development.

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The Caring Company representatives know more about the children with SLD

The Children Play Therapy Room is crucial for children with SLD

This year, the criterion u0022Caring for the Environmentu0022 of the Caring Company Scheme will be linked up with the 2008 Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence (HKAEE). To let companies and organisations know more about how to adopt green management in daily business operations, a CSR Tea Gathering 2008 Series namely u0022Caring for the Environment – Strategies for Business Operationsu0022 was organised on 20 May 2008. Over a hundred of participants from companies and social service organisations joined the tea gathering.

Ms Christine Fang, Chief Executive of HKCSS, started with a welcoming remark and thanked you for the Environmental Campaign Committee (ECC) to be the partner of the criterion u0022Caring for the Environmentu0022, so as to enhance the participation level of caring for the environment by companies and non-profit organisations. Then, Ms Elizabeth Law, MH, Vice-chairman of ECC, showed her delight of this partnership and encouraged the participants to adopt green management.

Besides, to update the participants this new partnership between HKCSS and ECC, Mr Cliff Choi, Business Director (Sector Development and Partnership) of HKCSS and Ms Vicky Liang, Consultant of Hong Kong Productive Council which is one of the partnering organisations of HKAEE briefly introduced the Caring Company Scheme 2008/09 and HKAEE respectively. Ms Liang also shared some tips of promoting environmental friendly by management level, reducing wastes, saving energy and improving indoor air quality; and how to reduce the negative impact on the environment during the production processes.

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The Caring Company Scheme 2008/09
The 2008 Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence and tips of environmental protection
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