The 3rd Asia Pacific Regional Conference of the International Association for Suicide Prevention opened in Hong Kong today, co-hosted by the International Association of Suicide Prevention and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention with the support of a HK$1 million donation from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. Officiating guests at the opening ceremony included the Club's Executive Director, Charities, William Y Yiu; the World Health Organisation's Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Dr Shigeru Omi; President of the International Association for Suicide Prevention Professor Brian Mishara; Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Hong Kong Professor Lap-chee Tsui; and Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare Paul Tang.
Taking the theme of "Suicide Research and Prevention in Times of Rapid Change in the Asia Pacific Region: Opportunities and Challenges", the Conference provides an opportunity for some 400 local and overseas participants to discuss strategies to modify and improve existing suicide prevention measures and encourage the development of effective national plans in China and other Asia-Pacific countries.
Mr Yiu noted that by supporting the hosting of this Conference in Hong Kong through the Hong Kong Jockey Club Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, the Club hopes to provide a valuable platform for the region's experts in the field of suicidal behaviour to exchange their experience in suicide prevention initiatives.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention was established in 2002 with a HK$22.23 million donation from the Club's Charities Trust. It undertakes evidence-based research on suicide and formulates suicide prevention and intervention strategies, with the aim of raising public awareness of suicide prevention measures.
