Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak today conveyed the Government’s recognition of the seventh-term District Council (DC) members’ performance since they took office.

She made the remarks at a training session for DC members held by the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau at the Central Government Offices.

Reviewing with the members their experiences in serving the districts in their first year of taking office, Miss Mak said district governance work had been carried out with enhanced speed and efficiency since reforms to the district governance system were made in 2023.

She outlined that the DCs had not only assisted the Government by listening to the public and providing advice on community development, but had also worked with District Services & Community Care Teams, district organisations and other groups to serve the people and address livelihood issues.

Miss Mak encouraged DC members to leverage their district networks to provide better services and assist the Government in policy implementation.

During the training session, Miss Mak also spoke about future challenges in the work of district governance.

She highlighted that people’s desire for a better life grows with community development and urged DC members to continue ensuring effective communication between the Government and the people by serving as a bridge between the two. She also encouraged them to adopt new thinking and methods to reach out to and serve constituents in order to a better and more harmonious community.

She spelt out that she had three expectations of DC members, namely that they carry out solid work to enhance people’s satisfaction levels; carry out district youth work to encourage young people to participate more in community affairs and help them realise their dreams; and continue assisting in the organisation of activities that create a buoyant mood in the community and support the economies of each district.

Miss Mak emphasised the important and long-term responsibilities of DC members and expressed hope that they dare to be innovative and break new ground, reach out and serve more people, and always be visible and helpful.

The bureau will continue to arrange training sessions and visits to enhance DC members’ capabilities in discharging their duties and improve the efficacy of district governance to deliver tangible benefits for people.