Family Futures

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Cherishing the family

Family Council of Hong Kong

dvancing

ocial

ntegration

and

ntergenerational

olidarity

herishing the family is a core value of our commu-

nity. The Government of the Hong Kong Special

Administrative Region attaches great importance

to family and recognizes it as the cornerstone of our

society. The objective of our family policy is to enhance

family harmony with a view to building a harmonious

community and alleviating social problems. This may

be further elaborated as promoting family core values,

engendering a culture of loving families and creating a

pro-family environment.

In order to achieve the objective of the family policy, the

Government adopted several key policy measures. Among

these, the Family Council

(the Council) was established

in 2007 to provide a cross-sector and cross-bureau plat-

form to study and address family-related problems. It aims

to provide high-level steer and advice and foster effective

coordination and collaboration to maximize efforts and

achieve synergy.

With effect from 1 April 2013, the established approach

of including family perspectives in the policymaking process

has been further enhanced by introducing a mandatory

assessment of family implications and impact on family for

all policies. Bureaux/departments (B/Ds) are encouraged

to consult the Council on new policies which carry family

implications. In order to implement these new initiatives

and strengthen its advisory role, the Council was reconsti-

tuted under a non-official chairman. The Chief Executive

appointed Professor Daniel Shek Tan-lei as the first non-

official Chairman of the Council.

Although the Council has a relatively short history of estab-

lishment, its efforts in promoting the well-being of family

have borne fruit, particularly in:

• working with the Government to ensure that due

weight is given to family perspectives in the policy

formulation process

• working to advocate cherishing the family as a main

driver for social harmony.

The work of the Family Council

Since April 2013, a mandatory assessment of family implica-

tions has been introduced for all policies. B/Ds are required

to use the three sets of family core values (‘Love and Care’,

‘Respect and Responsibilities’ and ‘Communication and

Harmony’) as identified by the Council, as well as consider-

ing the impact on family structure and functions as the basis

for assessing how their policies will affect families. They are

also encouraged to consult the Council on new policies which

may affect the family. Since the implementation of the manda-

tory assessment, various B/Ds have proactively consulted the

Council on policies which carry family implications. In 2014,

the Council will continue to work with the Government to

ensure that due weight is given to family perspectives in the

policy formulation process.

The Council has been dedicated to advocating for cher-

ishing the family and promoting family core values as a

main driver for social harmony. Throughout the past seven

years, it has been organising a territory-wide Happy Family

Campaign (the Campaign). Leveraging on the social aware-

ness already established, the Campaign aims at reinforcing

and further promoting family core values through different

forms of collaboration with various stakeholders. Activities

include funding support to the Uniformed Groups

large-

scale publicity events, television and radio programmes, and

experience-sharing sessions.

In addition, the Council has set up a ‘Happy Family Info

Hub’ which is a multisectoral, interdisciplinary and inter-

active support network and platform for the exchange of

Elderly volunteers perform a puppet show as part of the LARTE Campaign to

promote filial piety and intergenerational solidarity

Image: Family Council of Hong Kong