Corporate News

CADENZA 18-District Programme champions positive thinking and attitudes in Wan Chai

16 January 2010

According to a survey conducted by "FAMILY: A Jockey Club Initiative for a Harmonious Society", those aged 55 or above are the city's happiest group of all.  It is important for older people to adopt a positive attitude to life - the key to living happily - even when they are facing major lifestyle changes such as retirement or the onset of chronic diseases.

With support from Wan Chai District Council, the CADENZA 18-District Programme made its latest stop at Times Square in Causeway Bay today (16 January), giving the public a chance to share ideas with professionals in the field and artistes on how to develop positive thinking and attitudes.

One of the guest speakers, Dr Samuel Ho from the Psychology Department of The University of Hong Kong, noted that depression, the fear of death and pressure from chronic diseases often created negative feelings in elderly people.  If they prefer to lead a happy life, they should learn to savour, appreciate and contribute.  Dr Ho encouraged the audience to recall more happy moments in life, such as the smiling faces of their grandchildren and good times shared with friends.  "Positive energy will also be generated if elderly people enjoy love and care from their families and friends, and participate in voluntary work to share their happiness with others," he commented.

The Venerable Sik Hin Hung from the University's Centre of Buddhist Studies believed that acceptance of reality was an important step towards good spiritual health.  People who were more willing to accept birth, death, old age and illness as facts of life were better prepared to handle them, he said.  "Understanding and support from families and friends not only increases one's positive energy, but will also be the catalyst for a bountiful golden age."

Artistes Lily Leung, Stephy Tang, Eric Suen and Vincent Wan joined the two speakers to illustrate ways of building an "oasis of peace" in one's mind, such as religious belief and happy moments in daily life, so as to develop a positive thinking and attitude and overcome different challenges in life. 

Highlights of the programme will be broadcast on RTHK Radio 5's "Brilliant Life" at 4:00 pm on Friday 22 January 2010.

The CADENZA 18-District Programme is a citywide public education initiative jointly organised by CADENZA: A Jockey Club Initiative for Seniors and RTHK Radio 5.  It aims to promote positive ageing and equip the soon-to-be-old with knowledge that can help them continue to live an active and positive life.  A monthly programme of public interactive events and activities is being organised in each of Hong Kong's 18 districts in turn, starting from January 2009.  Details of the programme are available at: www.rthk.org.hk/special/cadenza.

CADENZA: A Jockey Club Initiative for Seniors is a five-year project launched by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust with a donation of HK$380 million in 2006.  The project aims at nurturing academic leadership in social gerontology and changing the mindset and attitude of the general public through a range of training and public education programmes.  Cross-sectional collaboration between organisations and the implementation of innovative elderly services and programmes are also encouraged in order to bring about a new mode of elderly care services to prepare for a rapidly ageing society.  Details of CADENZA are available at www.cadenza.hk.

125th Anniversary of The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is celebrating its 125th Anniversary in 2009/10 season.  Over the past 125 years, it has become one of Hong Kong's best known and respected organisations, providing the public with world-class sporting entertainment as well as being the city's major non-Government community benefactor, now donating more than HK$1 billion a year to charitable and community projects.  It has been a part of Hong Kong through good times and bad, sharing the city's growth and development with its people, and is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for future generations.

The Club's Executive Director, Charities, Legal & Corporate Secretariat, Douglas So, says the CADENZA 18-District Programme aims to better equip the public with useful knowledge and develop positive attitude towards ageing.
Photo 1:
The Club's Executive Director, Charities, Legal & Corporate Secretariat, Douglas So, says the CADENZA 18-District Programme aims to better equip the public with useful knowledge and develop positive attitude towards ageing.

The Club's Executive Director, Charities, Legal & Corporate Secretariat, Douglas So (back row, 4th from right) and artistes are joined at today's event by Assistant Director (Radio) of RTHK, Tai Keen Man (back row, 5th from left); Chairman of Wan Chai District Council Suen Kai Cheong (back row, 4th from left); Members of Wan Chai District Council Yolanda Ng (back row, 3rd from left) and David Lai (back row, 2nd from left); CADENZA Project Director Professor Jean Woo (back row, 3rd from right); Founding Fellow and Assistant Professor of Centre of Buddhist Studies at The University of Hong Kong, The Venerable Sik Hin Hung (back row, 2nd from right) ; and Associate Professor of the Department of Psychology at The University of Hong Kong, Dr Samuel Ho (back row, 1st from right).
Photo 2:
The Club's Executive Director, Charities, Legal & Corporate Secretariat, Douglas So (back row, 4th from right) and artistes are joined at today's event by Assistant Director (Radio) of RTHK, Tai Keen Man (back row, 5th from left); Chairman of Wan Chai District Council Suen Kai Cheong (back row, 4th from left); Members of Wan Chai District Council Yolanda Ng (back row, 3rd from left) and David Lai (back row, 2nd from left); CADENZA Project Director Professor Jean Woo (back row, 3rd from right); Founding Fellow and Assistant Professor of Centre of Buddhist Studies at The University of Hong Kong, The Venerable Sik Hin Hung (back row, 2nd from right) ; and Associate Professor of the Department of Psychology at The University of Hong Kong, Dr Samuel Ho (back row, 1st from right).

Photos 3/4:  The Club's Executive Director, Charities, Legal & Corporate Secretariat, Douglas So, performs the opening ceremony of the CADENZA 18-District Programme's Wan Chai event with Assistant Director (Radio) of RTHK, Tai Keen Man.
Photo 3:
Photos 3/4:
The Club's Executive Director, Charities, Legal & Corporate Secretariat, Douglas So, performs the opening ceremony of the CADENZA 18-District Programme's Wan Chai event with Assistant Director (Radio) of RTHK, Tai Keen Man.

Photos 3/4:  The Club's Executive Director, Charities, Legal & Corporate Secretariat, Douglas So, performs the opening ceremony of the CADENZA 18-District Programme's Wan Chai event with Assistant Director (Radio) of RTHK, Tai Keen Man.
Photo 4

The Venerable Sik Hin Hung, Founding Fellow and Assistant Professor of Centre of Buddhist Studies at The University of Hong Kong (1st from right), with artistes Stephy Tang, Eric Suen and Vincent Wan explain the meaning and importance of building an
Photo 5:
The Venerable Sik Hin Hung, Founding Fellow and Assistant Professor of Centre of Buddhist Studies at The University of Hong Kong (1st from right), with artistes Stephy Tang, Eric Suen and Vincent Wan explain the meaning and importance of building an "oasis of peace" in one's mind to enjoy happy and positive living.

Dr Samuel Ho, Associate Professor of Department of Psychology at The University of Hong Kong (2nd from left), and artistes Stephy Tang, Eric Suen and Vincent Wan introduce three techniques to prolong feelings of happiness: savouring, gratitude and contribution to others.
Photo 6:
Dr Samuel Ho, Associate Professor of Department of Psychology at The University of Hong Kong (2nd from left), and artistes Stephy Tang, Eric Suen and Vincent Wan introduce three techniques to prolong feelings of happiness: savouring, gratitude and contribution to others.

The Venerable Sik Hin Hung (2nd from left) teaches guests and artistes how to practice walking meditation.
Photo 7:
The Venerable Sik Hin Hung (2nd from left) teaches guests and artistes how to practice walking meditation.

 

 

Other Corporate News