2007/08 Caring Company Scheme: Commending 1,501 companies & organisations Date of issue: 2008-5-26 |
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【21 Feb 2008】With the mission of cultivating corporate citizenship for a caring community and promoting strategic partnership between business and social service sectors, the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) launched the “Caring Company” Scheme in 2002/03. Stepping into the sixth year, the Scheme achieves a record high - 1,363 companies are awarded Caring Company Logos, with 29% increase compared to last year. Among them, 152 companies have been awarded the Caring Company Logos for six consecutive years. Besides, 138 agencies / organizations / government departments are awarded Caring Organisation Logos. These companies/organisations have been caring for the community through giving cash or in-kind (89%), taking better care of their employees and their families (80%), caring for the environment (74%), volunteering (69%), offering training and employment opportunities to the disadvantaged groups (53%) and transferring professional skills to enhance the operational efficiency of the non-profit organisations (37%). More than 2,500 honorable guests from the private sector, welfare sector, professional bodies as well as the Government witnessed today’s recognition ceremony. The Hon Henry Y Y Tang, Chief Secretary for Administration, HKSAR is invited to officiate at the ceremony, giving commendation to the awarded companies and organizations. The Hon Bernard CHAN, Chairperson of HKCSS, expressed that more and more companies joined the Caring Company Scheme and their remarkable achievements in promoting social responsibility were much appreciated. “To look into the future, the Hong Kong society is facing all sorts of gradual, long-term challenges, like the ageing population and the rising number of cross-border marriages, we need new thinking and new concepts to mobilize all sectors to tackle them collectively,” he said. The recent initiatives of developing “Social Enterprise” and “Children Development Fund” are the good examples of using new thinking, new concepts and tripartite partnership. 。76 companies are taking the lead in supporting the “Child Development Fund”, either encouraging their employees to participate as mentors for underprivileged children or taking part in the matching fund. After rounds of consideration and interviews, The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited and Hong Kong Correctional Services Department are both crowned the awardees of “Total Caring Award” this year. Towngas, which upholds the notion of “From the community, for the community”, has been doing its best in assisting the underprivileged social groups and to help create a harmonious social environment. “Assisting rehabilitated offenders in reintegrating into society through the process of custody and care” is the vision of Correctional Services Department, and that coincides with the concept of corporate social responsibility. The Department has been cooperating with voluntary organizations and the business sectors to promote and practice social responsibility. Among 1,363 awarding companies, 46% (627) are small and medium size enterprises, noted that more and more SMEs are exercising social responsibility. This year, the “SME Community Participation Award” goes to Conrad Management Service Co., Ltd. The company has been serving as course instructor in security services and property management for non-profit organizations, as well as providing volunteer security services for charity events. To provide concrete support and solution for companies to actualize their corporate social responsibilities and partnership, HKCSS launches a series of initiatives, including creating a systematic matching mechanism for the companies and social service organizations, including volunteering, donations and networking opportunities for expansion of social services. For the “Outstanding Partnership Project Award” this year, Adjudication Panel selected the following 5 outstanding partnership projects from 37 nominations. Debt & Financial Capability Project Fairy Kiddo Love Bridge – Project to enhance multicultural diversity The Bunny Hears (Children Hotline) U3A Networks of Hong Kong For profiles of Caring Companies, please refer to the commemorative book or surf our website: http://www.caringcompany.net For Highlights of the Ceremony, please visit Photos of The Caring Company Recognition Ceremony － END － |
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