Press Releases
Initial draft strategic framework on social welfare mapped out
About 350 representatives from the social welfare and business sectors, academia and district councils have been encouraged to express their views on the initial draft strategic framework on social welfare mapped out by the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau.
At a workshop today (September 20), the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, said he appreciated the fact that the social welfare sector was keen about dialogue, direction and stability.
" I hope this workshop will make a good start toward achieving these."
The draft strategic framework highlights how the administration intends to address social problems at a more strategic level through social investment, tripartite partnerships, and social protection in the form of a safety net with springboard effect to assist people to rebound out of adversities. These strategic responses help the building of social capital - that is, social relationships that help people get along with each other and act more effectively than they could otherwise as isolated individuals.
Dr Yeoh said the objective of the exercise was to help re-orientate social welfare by placing a greater emphasis on active capacity building of individuals, families and communities and tackling the underlying risk factors, which may manifest themselves into social problems.
"The Government, the third sector and the business community will work together to take a collaborative approach in addressing the challenges and to foster mutual care and support in the community.
"With these supports, individuals and families are expected to be actively involved in solving their problems and take greater responsibilities for themselves and seize opportunities to enhance their capacities and improve their situations.
"This will help our systems and services to be better placed to respond to the many challenges brought about by globalisation, structural changes to the economy and the society, and aspiration of the community," he said.
The proposed strategic framework on social welfare has outlined a two-pronged approach in the future policy formulation of welfare policies and services:
(i) Social investment: the Government would continue to invest in strategies that focus on building the capacity of individuals, families and the communities to cope and to help each other, thus increasing access to shared resources, creating opportunities and building up pathways, such as towards increased participation in society and work; and,
(ii) Tripartite partnership: the Government would continue to encourage various forms of partnerships with the third sector and the business community sharing responsibilities for solutions that prevent or remedy many of the social problems.
The two-pronged approach would be underpinned by a safety net, which served to protect the disadvantaged, Dr Yeoh said.
"Together, it means shared responsibility among individuals, families, the communities, the Government, the third sector and the private sector in achieving our shared vision for the community," he added.
The Chief Executive in his 2004 Policy Address tasked the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food to engage relevant parties in developing strategies to enhance social capital, and to examine ways to develop the tripartite partnerships, and consolidate and promote the successful experience of the Community Investment and Inclusion Fund (CIIF).
The draft strategic framework was drawn up after initial discussions with more than 450 stakeholders at a conference on April 3, followed by subsequent exchanges with the key advisory committees and the representatives of the relevant stakeholders on various occasions.
Feedback and suggestions expressed at today's workshop would be taken on board to refine the initial draft of the strategic framework, which would become a discussion paper on the strategic framework on social welfare for release by the end of this year.
Ends/Monday, September 20, 2004
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