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Written by: Wang Yuechen
2021-03-26 06:30
Last update date: 2021-03-26 06:30
The new crown pneumonia epidemic has raged in Hong Kong for more than a year, and the grassroots were the first to be affected. Many community projects were also forced to shelve. However, Swire Group still adheres to its social corporate responsibility and allocates an additional HK$150 million through the Charity Trust Fund (Swire Foundation) to support its communities. The plan is to "trust for the future" and cooperate with non-profit organizations to implement about 30 community projects, which will have a positive impact on the long-term development of Hong Kong.
The additional funding will further promote the Swire Foundation's charitable work in the fields of education, marine conservation and the arts.
The projects funded and supported each have their own unique goals and visions, combining the power of about 30 non-profit organizations and groups to help young people develop their strengths, provide equal opportunities for disadvantaged groups, and promote social inclusion to support the long-term development of Hong Kong .
"Faith and Hope for the Future" is a plan launched by the Swire Group in early 2020 to support multiple anti-epidemic-related projects and provide timely support to disadvantaged groups. So far, it has benefited more than 310,000 people.
Mr. Patrick Healy, Chairman of the Hong Kong Swire Group Charity Council, said: "The Swire Group has been rooted in Hong Kong for 150 years. We have been determined to support Hong Kong’s long-term and prosperous development. Over the years, we have been doing charity work through the Swire Foundation and the group’s operating companies. , To contribute to promoting the development of civil society and shaping the ideal community. At present, Hong Kong is facing the huge challenge brought by the epidemic. We should continue to support community work, inject positive energy into the society, and build a better Hong Kong. This donation is " The funds provided by the Trust and Hope Project will help deepen the positive impact of our current charity work, support the Swire Group and non-profit organization partners to jointly promote the long-term sustainable development of the community, and further affirm our confidence in the future development of Hong Kong.
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As Hong Kong moves towards a knowledge-based economy and develops into an international digital society, young people need to equip themselves more.
In terms of education, the planned "Swire Inclusive Community Fund" will fund a number of non-profit organizations to help disadvantaged groups who are socially isolated and inter-generational poverty, and change their future through education.
The plan is to jointly organize with the Vocational Training Council (VTC) to launch the three-year "Swire Leap and Soaring Work Experience Program" to enhance the working skills of young people through workplace skills training, professional experience sharing, overseas training and learning exchange activities.
Ms. Ngan Suk-yin, Director of the Institutional Development Division of the Vocational Training Council, added: "Swire Group companies and other industry partners will provide about 1,200 VTC students with workplace training opportunities during the three-year plan period to help them equip themselves for their future careers. The funding from the Swire Foundation will inject new impetus into applied education and bring new hope to young people."
Students studying aircraft engineering receive work experience training through the Swire Feiyue Flying Work Experience Program.
In addition, Hong Kong is surrounded by the sea on three sides and rich in marine resources. The Swire Fund also fully supports marine-related projects, hoping to preserve Hong Kong's unique marine ecology for the next generation and build a sustainable future.
Among them, "Believe in the Future" and National Geographic magazine jointly organized the "Protect the Ocean" project to increase public awareness of marine biodiversity in the form of multimedia promotional activities to promote marine conservation and encourage the public to protect endangered species and reduce marine environmental pollution. And stop buying and selling non-environmentally friendly seafood.
To further strengthen public education, "Faith and Hope for the Future" actively supports the Hong Kong Maritime Museum to establish the Taikoo Ocean Discovery Hall as an education center in the museum, and to establish the first marine science learning platform with the museum.
In addition, "Faith and Hope for the Future" also funded the Hong Kong branch of BLOOM, an international marine conservation organization, to conduct 114°E Hong Kong Coral Fish Survey 2.0. By recording local coral fish species to collect data on marine protected areas, it is a policy to increase the coverage of marine protected areas. Seek support on this.
National Geographic magazine cooperated with Hong Kong citizen scientists to conduct a seabed survey of Hong Kong coral fish.
[Picture provided by Sam Inglis@114˚E Hong Kong Reef Fish Survey]
In the field of arts, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts announced earlier that the first three-year co-founded "Orchestral Elite Training Program" was one of the beneficiaries.
Under the sponsorship of "Faith and Hope for the Future", it plans to provide professional training to the graduates of the Academy of Performing Arts through the "Resident Training" and "Music Emerging Gathering" to promote their career development in the field of orchestral music.
In addition, students selected to participate in the project will use volunteer services to impart music knowledge to young people and contribute to the community through music.
Professor Min Tak, Dean of the School of Music of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, said: "The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra have always been committed to the pursuit of artistic excellence, especially in cultivating local talents. We hope that by nurturing local music talents, we can help them unleash their potential and lead the music industry in Hong Kong. To make positive changes to build a better Hong Kong."
Orchestral Elite Training Program holds master class training.
Ms. Tingting Chen, Group Charity Affairs Director of Swire Group, Hong Kong, said: "'Giving back to the society' is not just about donating money. The "Faith and Hope for the Future" project also hopes to link different projects and different sectors by cooperating with non-profit organizations and other groups. Through their mutual cooperation, they can exert greater synergy, improve the community, and benefit more people.
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Conservation Issues Coral Conservation Marine Ecology Art Education Swire Fund SWIRE Faith in the future feed
