Press Releases

Able-bodied and people with disabilities join hands to plant trees

About 2,500 able-bodied and people with disabilities from all over 18 districts today (December 8) join hands to plant more than 3,000 trees and shrubs at the Lai Chi Kok Park (Stage III) to drive home the message of "A Society for All".

The Joint Ceremony to Mark the Tenth Anniversary of International Day of Disabled Persons and the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons was co-organised by the Joint Council for the Physically and Mentally Disabled; Hong Kong Council of Social Service; Health, Welfare and Food Bureau; Leisure and Cultural Services Department; and Home Affairs Department.

Addressing the Joint Ceremony, the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, said: "Today's event will send a strong message to the public that like their able-bodied counterparts, people with disabilities also contribute to the betterment of our society."

With the conclusion of the first Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons (1993-2002), Dr Yeoh said the total expenditure for rehabilitation services has increased by more than three-folds in the past ten years.

"Through the efforts of both government departments and non-governmental organisations, we are able to claim to be at the fore-front in the development of rehabilitation services in the Asia Pacific Region.

"Looking forward, we shall continue to work together to achieve full participation and full integration of our people with disabilities into society," he added.

In 1992, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission of Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) proclaimed 1993-2002 as the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons to promote "equal opportunities and full participation" for people with disabilities.

UNESCAP subsequently declared the period from 2003 to 2012 as the second Asian and Pacific Decade with the goal of working towards "an inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based society" for people with disabilities.

Also attended today's Joint Ceremony were the Honorary Councillor of the Hong Kong Joint Council for the Physically and Mentally Disabled (JCPMD), Professor Sir Harry Fang; Chairman of the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee, Dr Raymond Wu; Chief Executive of Hong Kong Council of Social Service, Ms Christine Fang; Chairperson of JCPMD, Mr Cheung Kin-fai; Chairperson of the Organising Committee on International Day of Disabled Persons, Ms Marion Fang; Permanent Secretary for Education and Manpower, Mrs Fanny Law Fan Chiu-fun; Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Ms Shelley Lee Lai-kuen; Director of Social Welfare, Mrs Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor; and Acting Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Miss Choi Shuk-kuen.

Sunday, December 8, 2002