Worthy cause: Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr York Chow urges support for the Community Investment & Inclusion Fund.

Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr York Chow says the Community Investment & Inclusion Fund's continual development needs the support and efforts of various sectors and strategic partners.

Speaking at the fund's 4th Annual Forum and Project Expo today, Dr Chow said the Government is fully supportive of the strategies promoted by the fund.

He said its development relies on the support and efforts of various sectors, including:

* the co-operation of local groups, which could help bring about changes in culture and values at district levels;

* the support and promotion by partners from the business and professional sector so as to further enhance the tripartite social partnership comprising the Government, the business community and the welfare sector;

* exchange with Asia and other parts of the world to deepen the understanding of the development of social capital; and,

* the active promotion of social capital by local academics.

Extending the fund's impact

Dr Chow said the fund should extend its impact through weaving social capital strategies into relevant policies, strengthening partnerships with the community to mainstream the impact, and boosting impact through partnerships with academics, service agencies and practitioners.

More than 800 people from different sectors today participated in the forum. Asian Development Bank representative Sonomi Tanaka and former Director of Poverty Reduction & Social Development from ADB, Dr Brahm Prakash, were the guest speakers in the plenary session.

Dr Chow and the fund's acting chairperson Sophia Kao presented awards to recognise projects for their contribution in building social capital. Awardees shared their experience as well as the critical success factors.

Salute to Raymond Wu

Tribute was paid to the late Dr Raymond Wu, the founding chair of the fund. At the plenary session in the afternoon, a recording of Dr Wu giving his last piece of advice to the fund was also broadcast.

Dr Chow said Dr Wu had been working tirelessly and wholeheartedly in promoting the development of the fund to actualise the talents of the disadvantaged groups under his chairmanship since 2002.

"This fully reflects Dr Wu's belief to put vision into action and selfless dedication to his work," Dr Chow said, adding he was deeply moved by Dr Wu's firm belief and zeal.

"In the last days of his life in hospital, he did not talk much about his health condition. Instead, he had earnestly outlined to me his long-term vision in developing social capital."