On 28 Aug 2015, some 130 Associate Degree (AD) students majoring in Social Sciences from Community Colleges of local universities and guests attended the Project +AD Graduation Gathering to witness the success of the programme. The ceremony was officiated by Ms Diana Tsui, Head of Global Philanthropy (Asia Pacific) of J.P. Morgan and Mr Kennedy Liu, Vice Chairperson of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS). We also had a great honor to have Mr Lau Ming-wai, Chairman of Commission on Youth to chat with the youngsters on career planning after equipping themselves with the fruitful internship experience.

Sponsored by J.P. Morgan and co-organised by the HKCSS and the Hong Kong Institute of Education, Project +AD was a pilot internship programme tailor-made for AD students to experience throughout job placements at NGOs to help students with Special Education Needs (SEN) by providing homework guidance and social support. The programme also aimed at cultivating future professionals to support the increasing demand of SEN students by applying their learned knowledge and skills, as well as connecting with the younger generation who have commitment to devote themselves in the social services and educational field in the future, in echoing the agenda of youth development and social mobility.

Group photo of all participants

On-stage group photo with all supporting organisations

Mr Lau Ming-wai, Chairman of Commission on Youth to chat with the youngsters on career planning

Photo of some Associate Degree (AD) students

More than 270 delegates from the business, education and NGO sectors gathered in Hong Kong on 17 September to discuss how to address the pathways to employment challenge for young people, and skills shortages faced by employers.

The MTR-HKCSS Cross Sector Summit: Pathways to Employment included speeches and panel discussions with the Honourable Matthew Cheung, Secretary for Labour and Welfare, HKSAR, international authority in creativity and innovation Sir Ken Robinson, Dr Philemon Choi, founder of Breakthrough Organization and Dr Raymond Chien, Chairman of MTR Corporation. In the afternoon workshops, facilitated by Asian Charity Services, participants explored opportunities to move forward through cross-sector collaboration.

Mr Chua Hoi Wai, Chief Executive of HKCSS, said, u0022There should be many different routes to success, catering for the diverse skills and talents of young people. We need to provide a range of options to harness the intellectual, vocational and creative talents of all young people. As adults, we can help them on their journeys by giving our best support and guidance.u0022

Following the Summit, MTR will launch an online platform to continue the discussion and invite stakeholders to submit ideas for empowering young people as they prepare for the future of work. Winning ideas will be funded by the Corporation for implementation.

The “Diversity & Inclusion” Seminar was successfully held on 9 Sep 2015 with around 80 participants. The representatives from NGO, employer and institution shared the needs of people with different disabilities, the successful cases in employing the disabled, the needs of students with special educational needs (SEN), and an overview for the employment of graduated SEN students. Apart from these, the products and services about the disabled/barrier-free have been introduced.

Acknowledgement to the following companies/organisations’ participation (sorted in alphabetical order):

– Café de Coral Holdings Limited
– Centre of Development and Resources for Students, The University of Hong Kong
– Hong Chi Association
– Hong Kong Blind Union
– Hong Kong PHAB Association
– L’Oréal Hong Kong Limited
– Sunshine Laundry Convenience Store Co. Ltd.
– Technoform Group
– The Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation
– The Hong Kong Society for the Deaf

Promoting Corporate Social Responsibility and strengthening cross-sectoral partnership between corporate and charitable organisations has always been the mission embraced by the Caring Company Scheme. 3 Information and Sharing Sessions were organized on 28 May, 6 Jul u0026amp; 6 Aug respectively. Speakers from different industries were invited to share their inspirations, with networking sessions for meeting friends to develop new partnership projects. Over 350 participants joined the event.

The highlight of the event goes to the partnership opportunity with the NGOs to tackle the social needs of community and the tips for creating barrier-free environment and culture. Please click the link below for reference.
Outstanding Partnership Project Award

Acknowledgement to the following companies/organisations’ participation:

– Aedas
– The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited
– Benji’s Centre
– Cheung Chau Rural Committee Integrated Youth Centre
– Christian New Life Association Limited
– Food Angel
– HK Blind Union
– Hong Kong Family Welfare Society
– Hong Kong Federation of Handicapped Youth
– Hong Kong Productivity Council
– Regeneration Society Ltd.
– Rehabilitation Alliance Hong Kong
– S.K.H. Holy Carpenter Church
– St. James’ Settlement
– Suicide Prevention Services
– Tai Po Baptist Church Social Service
– The Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation Vocational Rehabilitation u0026amp; Retraining Centre
– The Society For The Aid And Rehabilitation Of Drug Abusers
– Tung Wah Group of Hospitals

On 3 July, HKCSS ran a seminar at the Retiree u0026amp; Senior Fair 2015 on: ‘The ageing society: an opportunity for business’. The seminar explored how companies across sectors can support senior customers to live happy and fulfilling lives, by developing products and services that take into account the needs of Hong Kong’s rapidly ageing population.

Speakers included Yvonne Li, Founder u0026amp; CEO of the International China Ageing Industry Association; Scott Collins, President u0026amp; CEO, Link-age (USA); and Jacky Kwan, Chairman, Bamboos Professional Nursing Services Limited and a founding member of the Caring SME Alliance. Case studies included MTR’s work on barrier-free access, Swiss Re’s leadership on health insurance, and Shenzhen Eagles’ innovative online solutions.

The ageing society and workforce is one of our priority themes under Sustainable Business HK, a new initiative of HKCSS and the Caring Company Scheme. Sustainable Business HK aims to engage and support companies on the journey from caring to sustainable. For details and to read our forthcoming case studies and briefing on the silver market (to be published in August), please see our website at www.sustainablebusiness.org.hk.

The Caring Company Partnership Expo 2015 was successfully held on 25 March 2015 (Thursday) at Hall 5G of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, with over 3,300 participants joining us to establish new community partnership opportunities between the business and social services sectors and to explore CSR solutions.

The officiating guest The Hon John TSANG Chun-wah, GBM, JP, Financial Secretary of HKSAR Government (middle), The Hon Bernard CHAN, Chairperson of HKCSS (left) and Mr CHUA Hoi-wai, Chief Executive of HKCSS (right), in the Caring Company Scheme Award Presentation 2014/15 cum Luncheon.

The officiating guest The Hon John TSANG Chun-wah, GBM, JP, Financial Secretary of HKSAR Government, presented awards to the winners of the Outstanding Partnership Project Award and Outstanding Award for Social Inclusion. Besides, the Caring SMEs Alliance has been established. Ms Ariel MULLER, Director, Asia-Pacific, Head of Singapore Futures Centre, Forum for the Future, has been invited for a dialogue on u0022From Caring Company to Sustainable Businessu0022 during the Luncheon.

The Social Partnership Exhibition is continued this year to promote and strengthen partnership between the business and social service sectors. The 95 exhibitors, coming from local NGOs and social enterprises displayed exhibits mainly on social services, social enterprises and sustainability. All these have made this annual occasion become a fruitful networking and exchange platform for both the companies and social service organisations to enhance mutual understanding and to nurture future partnership. Besides, CSR Seminar about Developing Human Capital from the Community and also several community services highlight have been arranged in the networking session, to illustrate the method to assist the vulnerable in employment.

Please click here for the Photo Album.