Report from Programme Committee (2008 - 2010)
Co-Chairmen: Margaret Chan, Nancy Chan
During the past 2 years, we invited a number of distinguished speakers from different sectors to speak on a variety of topics covering finance; health & beauty; etiquette and tradition; young women’s achievement and mental illness.
Finance
On 5th August 2008, shortly before the global economic crisis fully unfolded , we had the privilege of watching the presentation of Mr Burton Malkiel, a well known Professor of Economics at Princeton University, on his new book ‘From Wall Street to the Great Wall: Investment Strategies to Profit from China’s Booming Economy’. The professor gave an anecdote of Chinese history, elaborated on the rising economic power of China and its impact on the financial world, and illustrated some investment strategies going forward.
On 3 November 2009, Professor Edward Chen gave an interesting and stimulating talk on ‘The Global Economic Outlook after the Financial Tsunami’.
Members reflected on the professors’ wisdom and messages elucidated in the talks.
Health & Beauty
Dr Lim Lit Sing, PhD in Biotechnology (Cosmetology) and ex-professor at University of Health Science in Honolulu, spoke on 3 Feb 2009 on ‘Outsmarting Your Fat Cells after age 30’. Dr Lim authored two books. His advice, some unconventional, was insightful and useful.
On 7 May 2009, the late Ms Doreen Leung shared with us how she managed the ups and downs of her life. The topic was ‘How to be Happy Even in Difficult Times’. Members found her talk motivational and inspirational. She also gave us useful tips on how to stay young and healthy.
Tradition and Etiquette
We learned from our Zonta member, Ms Wendy Siu of Heather and March, on 7th July 2009 about ‘Traditions and History of English Afternoon Tea, What Tea and Food to Serve, What Table Setting and Etiquette required’. Her talk was followed by sharing of her recipes and home made scones & tea bread tasting. Everyone had enjoyed her session tremendously.
2008 Young Women in Public Affairs awards
Our nominee, Miss Tsang King Yi, Elina of Sacred Heart Canossian College, was selected by the Zonta International Panel as an International Recipient of the 2008 Young Women in Public Affairs awards. 28 applicants from 15 countries were considered for the final 5 International awards and King Yi was one of them. She received US$3,000.
King Yi was invited to share her experiences and achievements in community services at our meeting of 2 September 2008 where her mother and teachers were present. She also played Liu Qin for us at the gathering.
We were very proud of her achievement and for putting Zonta NT, Hong Kong on the International Zonta platform.
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Mental illness It has been an enriching 2 years! We wish to give special thanks to all speakers for sharing their knowledge and invaluable experiences with us, and to our members for supporting the Programme Committee in the past 2 years. |
Report from Programme Committee (2006 - 2008)
Co-Chairmen: Janice Choi, Patricia Yeung
Over the past two years, we have invited a number of distinguished speakers from different sectors to speak to our members on an array of topics covering arts and culture; finance; health; environmental issues; and women services in Hong Kong.
Arts and Culture
Our biennial programme of talks was kicked off by Ms. Kai Yin Lo, a well-known jewellery designer, who on 7 November 2006 shared with us her insights on the historical and cultural aspects of "Traditional Chinese Jewellery". Towards the end of the biennium on 4 March 2008, Mr. Ku Tin Lung of Chung Ying Theatre Company delivered a most interesting talk on the role of drama as "educational tools for youths."
Finance
Towards the close of the calendar year 2006, on 5 December 2006, Mr. Clifford Chiu, Managing Director of JP Morgan Asset Management, gave us a few investment tips as to "The Investment Buttons in 2007". We hope members have indeed profited from investment advices given by him in an incisive and colourful presentation. A second talk on investments was organized on 6 May 2006. Mr. Paul Pong, a noted fund manager and investment adviser, gave us some timely advice on stock picking in the wake of the market turmoil earlier in the year.
Women Services
We were also delighted to have the Chairman of the Women's Commission and a fellow Zontian, Ms. Sophia Kao, to speak to us on the work of the Commission on 9 January 2007. This was soon followed by another talk on a related topic - Women Services and Enpowerment - given on 7 August 2007 by Ms. Fong Man Ying, a highly regarded social worker in this area.
Environment Issues
On 3 April 2007, Mr. Gilbert Mo, a noted speaker on environmental issues, was invited to speak to us on the "Water Crisis in China", a subject that provoked a lively debate during the question-and-answer session that evening.
Female Health Issues
Dr. Cecilia Cheon was our guest speaker on 5 June 2007. She gave an informative talk on some common aliments that befall women in menopause. On 8 January 2008, Dr. Polly Cheung, an acclaimed authority on breast cancer, spoke to us on "Breast Cancer Prevention and Early Detection".
As we complete our tenure as co-chair of the Programme Committee, we wish to thank our Members for their support of the Programme Committee in the last two years. Our special thanks go to all our speakers who took the time from their busy schedules to share with us their knowledge and life experiences, helping us to learn more about the world around us.
Report from Programme Committee (2004 - 2006)
Co-Chairmen: Elizabeth Cheng
Yvonne Chua
In the past 2 years, we are pleased to have arranged for our members, presentations by a number of outstanding speakers covering divers areas. Not only do we have a better understanding of the social service regime in Hong Kong and the housing forecast, we also gained insights into the local film making industry and other interesting areas such as speech therapy, home decors and how women can achieve balance and harmony.
The details are as follows:-
1. Social service needs
On 2nd November 2004, Ms Christine Fang, Chief Executive of Hong Kong Council of Social Service, an umbrella organization of over 286 non-governmental organizations providing 90% of the social welfare services in Hong Kong spoke to us on "Hong Kong Social Development Index" and her visions on how we can be united for a better society. This followed from a talk by Ms Esther Lau, Psychologist on 15 June 2004 regarding "When Home becomes a damaging place - A recent professional advocacy action" when she shared with us her counseling experience on marriage and family therapy.
On 6 September 2005, Ms Tiffana Chow, General Manager of Social Welfare Department
explained to us the "Successful tripartite partnerships through the services
and products offered by disabled people" in 100 rehabilitation organizations
in Hong Kong and how her office achieved mutually beneficial business deals
with commercial and public organizations.
With the tragic incident in Tin Shui Wai, we invited Mr Wu Ting Pang Sunny, Executive Secretary, Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong and Mr Fan Yiu Chuen Sunny, Centre-in-charge, Tin Shui Wai Centre, to speak to us on "Families Needs in Tin Shui Wai" on 3 January 2006.
2. Housing issue
Hong Kong housing has always been an issue to everybody's concern. Mr Franklin Lam, Managing Director of UBS Investment Research and Head of Hongkong Equities and a highly regarded property researcher and analyst gave us a critical analysis and forecast of the real estate market in Hong Kong. His presentation stimulated discussions from our members and made it one of our best attended business meetings.
3. Local film industry
We are delighted to have 2 prominent female directors/producers of many award winning films shared with us their personal experiences on film making. Ms Shi Nan Sun (施南生), currently senior advisor to Mandarin Films Limited spoke to us on 7 June 2005 as to "Why Hong Kong is still Great - It all started with making a Film". On the other hand, Ms Mabel Cheung (張婉婷), gave a very interesting presentation titled "從紐約到北京從童話到皇朝". Their inspiring talks had fascinated many members.
4. Personal enhancement
"Will your expectations be fulfilled with the making of a Will?" is the topic of presentation on 6 December 2005 by Ms Winnie Chiu, solicitor, Wilkinson & Grist. With the recent abolition of estate duty in Hong Kong. Ms Chiu gave us a clear overview on how to make a will, when its validity would be challenged and what happens on intestacy.
On the other hand, Dr Joy Leo (廖鳳明博士) a Transformation Coach and multi-dimensional
spiritual teacher presented her philosophy on "Women in transition: The
Quest for Harmony & Balance" on 4 April 2006. We discovered how we
could prepare ourselves in this age of rapid transformation and sweeping global
changes and reap maximum benefits from the challenges.
5. Our home
In our pursuit for beauty at home, we had two special gatherings at the shop of Heather & March, Prince's Building on 13 May 2005 and 28 November 2005 respectively when Mrs Wendy Siu, President of Heather & March and Chevalier dans l'Ordre National du Merite as appointed by the French President, shared with us her expertise and love for fine living, culinary art and home decoration.
6. Others
Dr Rebecca Lee (李樂詩女士) who has transformed herself from a professional graphic designer and photographer to a polar researcher spoke to us on 7 September 2004 on "三極宣言". We were truly impressed by her courage and persistence in her pursuit of innovation which has resulted in her being recognized as the first Hong Kong women explorer to reach the Arctic, Antarctic and Mount Everest.
Last but not the least, Mr Anthony Kong, Speech Therapist, Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences of The University of Hong Kong explained to us on 3 August 2004 the assessment and treatment given to patients with speech and language disorders.
The past term has been truly meaningful as we brought together distinguished
speakers from different sectors of our community. Our heartfelt thanks to all
of them for their great support to Zonta Club of the New Territories and for
taking the time to share with us albeit their heavy commitments. We sincerely
look forward to learning more from them in the future.
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.
