Report from Programme Committee (2002 – 2004)
Co-chairmen: Betty Chan, Janice Choi
To keep ourselves abreast of the latest developments in our society, the Programme Committee has arranged a series of talks on current issues and topics of interest for the year 2002-2004.
At our business meeting on 6th August 2002, Mr. Michael Suen, Secretary for Constitutional Affairs, HKSAR gave a talk on the newly announced accountability system for principal officials. Members were impressed by Mr. Suen’s insightful views and many questions were raised on the system’s impact on the development of Hong Kong.
On 8th October 2002, a panel of four speakers gave an introduction to therapeutic riding – riding for the disabled. The speakers were fellow Zontian, Ms Eva Chan, General Manager of The Riding For The Disabled Association; Mr Nelson Yip, Executive Director of Hong Kong Rehabilitation Power; Mr Ricky Chan, Senior Physiotherapist and Ms Stella Cheung, Physiotherapist of Heep Hong Society. The speakers explained the therapeutic effect of riding on the disabled and the significant physical and psychological benefits of the riding course.
Dr Sandra Tsang, Associate Professor of the Department of Social Work and Social Administration of the University of Hong Kong, in her capacity as Chairman of the Committee on Home-School Co-operation, shared with us the work of her Committee on 5th November 2002. She also gave us some very useful tips on parenting.
On 7th January 2003, we invited Dr. Yip Shing Yiu to give a talk on the latest technology in skin rejuvenation, including chemical peeling and intense pulsed light therapy.
Dr Polly Cheung, Member and Past President of Zonta Club of Hong Kong, reported on the progress of the Zonta Health Van project and gave a presentation on breast health and breast cancer awareness after our Installation Ceremony on 3rd June 2003.
On 8th July 2003, Ms Connie Chan, a UK registered dietician and the General Manager (Allied Health Services) of Caritas Medical Centre, talked to members on how to keep fit and healthy and provided us with some useful tips.
In light of the electricity outage in North America, Mrs. Betty Yuen, Managing Director of CLP Power gave a talk on the electricity industry in Hong Kong on 9th September 2003 and shared her management expertise with us.
On 7th October 2003, fellow Zontian, Ms. Petrina Tam, Partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers China Tax Services Group, gave a presentation of the Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Hong Kong and China, with details of the accession requirements and a summary of survey findings.
On 4th February 2004, Mr Allen Lee JP, OBE, CBE, public affairs commentator and former member of the Executive and Legislative Councils of the Hong Kong Government, gave a talk about current economic and political issues in Hong Kong. Mr Lee attracted a large number of audience including members from other Zonta Clubs.
After the NPC/CPPCC session and the Taiwan election, we invited Mr. Willy Lam to give a talk on how mainland China is dealing with the Hong Kong and Taiwan challenges on 6th April 2004. Mr Lam is a Hong Kong based journalist and political commentator whose work appears on CNN and a number of regional media.
The Programme Committee wishes to express our heartfelt appreciation to all our speakers for sharing with us their insight and for enlightening us on various issues and topics.
