The officiate guest: member of National People's Congress Mr. Bu Kau and our Deputy Chief Executive Ms Betty Woo

Ms Chan Pui Yi, Supervisor of the Project on Elder Abuse Research and Protocol, Delivered her report

The signing up of the declaration held in Yuan Ming Yuan

The Plate of Model Service Unit presented to HKCS by the China Old Age Legal Aid Centre

As the general population continues to age, elders' right becomes a concerned social issue. In order to cultivate an attitude of respect and care toward the elderly among society, a two-day event was launched by the China Old Age Legal Aid Centre, strongly supported by China Legislative Department, China Elderly Work Committee Office, Chinese Women Association and the United Youth, to recognize not only pioneering projects but also classical legal cases that had advocated and implemented the necessary care and support toward the elderly.

Hong Kong Christian Service was honored to be a recipient of such recognition as one of the pioneering advocates in elderly rights and safety. We were invited to share our experience in introducing the Project on Elder Abuse Research & Protocol, a two-year pilot project appointed by the Hong Kong Social Welfare Department. The project has since reached its final stage. The key elements in this project included a research study on the elder abuse phenomenon in Hong Kong, the establishment of guidelines in the handling of elder abuse cases, which are suitable for implementation through various Hong Kong governmental departments and social service agencies, as well as a central computerized registry system on those litigation.

The opening ceremony and the presentation were held on 29 November 2003 in the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. Over 200 representatives from different provinces attended. Moreover a special event took place the following day when all represented service units gathered in Yuan Ming Yuan (Old Summer Palace) and signed a proclamation to symbolize a unified effort to protect and uphold the rights for elders.

On behalf of HKCS, Ms. Chan Pui Yi, the Elder Abuse Research & Protocol Project Supervisor expressed our gratitude for being part of that nation-wide event, and that we wished to cooperate with China in any way possible to ensure the elders rights be protected and supported.