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Jockey Club partners NGOs to promote child-focused co-parenting

03/14/2016

With Hong Kong seeing an increasing number of divorces in recent years, leading to growing concern about the interests of children affected by marital break-up, the Government is conducting public consultation on whether to put in place a ‘parental responsibility model’ through legislation.  Such a model would emphasise the continuing responsibilities of both parents and give top priority to protecting the interests of the children involved.

To help address this concern in the meantime, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has donated some HK$6.5 million to the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) to implement a three-year ‘Promoting Child-Focused Co-Parenting in the Community project which brings together 10 NGOs to raise public understanding of the parental responsibility model through education and training.

Today (14 March), the Club’s Executive Director, Charities and Community, Leong Cheung joined Secretary for Labour and Welfare Matthew Cheung and HKCSS Chief Executive Chua Hoi-wai at the launch ceremony.

“The Club has been actively promoting family harmony as we believe that harmonious societies are built upon loving family relationships,” Mr Cheung said. “We understand that to implement the concept of co-parenting, not only the mentality of the parents needs to be adjusted, but also the social culture. We hope that both parents involved in a divorce can make the transition from their previous role as a couple into becoming ‘parenting partners’, who consider the best interests of their children and participate in major decisions for their growth.”

First-year Chinese University student Chuk Ka-lok’s parents divorced when he was in Form 3 and he now works as a volunteer for the Hong Kong Family Welfare Society, helping young people with similar experiences.  Lok, who now lives with his father, recalled today, “I suffered a lot when my parents were having disputes and planning to divorce. I hope this programme can help give the public a better understanding of co-parenting, and therefore minimise the damage to their children.”

The Promoting Child-Focused Co-Parenting in the Communityinitiative is aimed at encouraging co-parenting after divorcethrough a series of public education activities including district-based community education programmes run by NGOs, a micro-films contest, story book production and roving exhibitions in collaboration with schools. In addition, a clinical practice package will be developed and training provided for personnel in the social services, education and related sectors to enhance their ability to cope with different divorce cases.

A professional forum and seminars will also be organised to facilitate cross-sectoral exchange and provide a platform for experience-sharing by divorced families and those working with them. These programmes are expected to benefit over 120,000 people, while about 5,400 professionals will be trained over the next three years.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class horse racing operator and Hong Kong’s largest community benefactor, as well as one of Asia’s most prestigious membership clubs. Operating as a not-for-profit organisation, the Club allocates its surplus funds for charitable and community projects. In 2014/15, its donations reached a record HK$3.87 billion, and in the last decade alone it supported over 1,300 projects. The Club is also Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer, contributing a record HK$20.05 billion in 2014/15. With about 70% of its revenue given back to society every year through donations and tax contributions, The Hong Kong Jockey Club delivers a significantly higher return to the community than any other racing and/or sports betting organisation in the world. As a socially responsible organisation, the Club helps Government combat illegal betting and advocates responsible gambling. The Club is also one of Hong Kong’s largest employers with over 24,000 full-time and part-time staff. Committed to global excellence and giving back to society, the Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong.

The Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities and Community, Leong Cheung, says that to implement the concept of co-parenting, not only the mentality of the parents needs to be adjusted, but also the social culture.
The Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities and Community, Leong Cheung, says that to implement the concept of co-parenting, not only the mentality of the parents needs to be adjusted, but also the social culture.

The Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities and Community, Leong Cheung (left) joins Secretary for Labour and Welfare Matthew Cheung (centre) and HKCSS Chief Executive Chua Hoi-wai (right) at the launch ceremony of Promoting Child-Focused Co-Parenting in the Community.
The Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities and Community, Leong Cheung (left) joins Secretary for Labour and Welfare Matthew Cheung (centre) and HKCSS Chief Executive Chua Hoi-wai (right) at the launch ceremony of Promoting Child-Focused Co-Parenting in the Community.

Chuk Ka-lok (left), who comes from a divorced family, receives souvenirs from Secretary for Labour and Welfare Matthew Cheung (right) before sharing his feelings with participants.
Chuk Ka-lok (left), who comes from a divorced family, receives souvenirs from Secretary for Labour and Welfare Matthew Cheung (right) before sharing his feelings with participants.

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