Consortium of Institutes on Family in the Asian Region
(CIFA)

CIFA is registered as a company incorporated with limited liability and a non-profit making organisation under the laws in Hong Kong. It is an independent organisation which provides a regional platform for networking and collaboration among organisations and professionals who share the mission of “Converging Profession Wisdom for Family Well-Being.” Its function is to support and enhance mutual interests in research and training initiatives, and to share clinical experiences and policy formulation on families that are unique to the Asian region.

The Inauguration and Inaugural Symposium of CIFA was held at The University of Hong Kong in 2008, followed by biennial Regional Symposiums in Tokyo, Singapore, Shanghai and Seoul, each attracting an average of over 350 participants. Other major activities include cross country researches, training activities, Asian Award for Advancing Family Well-Being (3A Project), promotion and fund-raising activities, and distribution of information through its website and CIFA-NET, the newsletter.

To echo the call of the United Nations to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family in 2014, CIFA produced a commemorative publication to give an overview of this regional platform, with a view to appeal for more support and participation in the efforts to promote family well-being in Asia and at the international level. As a result of sharing the publication, CIFA is most encouraged to receive formal recognition from the United Nations with the presence of Ms. Daniela BAS, Director of the Division for Inclusive Social Development, Department of Economic & Social Affairs as the Guest of Honour at its 5th Regional Symposium. It has provided an excellent opportunity to strengthen the tie between CIFA and the United Nations, and pave the way for closer collaboration in the future.

Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Hong Kong
(FOSS, HKU)

The Faculty of Social Sciences was established in 1967 and has since undergone rapid expansion and significant transformation. The Faculty comprises the Departments of Geography, Politics and Public Administration, Psychology, Social Work and Social Administration, and Sociology. It also has six multidisciplinary research centres that provide a platform for research interaction and collaboration among colleagues on campus and in the wider world. To develop areas of excellence and to leverage its interdisciplinary approach to social science, the Faculty has identified four strategic areas for research, teaching and learning, and knowledge exchange for the medium to long term: China studies, nonprofit management and civil society, public policy, and social and cognitive neuroscience.

The Faculty seeks to contribute to the advancement of society and the development of leaders through a global presence, regional significance and engagement with the rest of China and strives to attract and nurture outstanding scholars in the social sciences from around the world through excellence and innovation in teaching and learning, research and knowledge exchange. The Faculty also aims to produce citizens with a global perspective who are critical thinkers, socially aware, ready to embrace diversity, and seek to make an impact on society.

Family Council, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
(FC, HKSAR Government)

The Family Council, an advisory body set up by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in December 2007, serves as a cross-sector and cross-bureau platform for examining family-related policies and promoting a culture of loving families in the community. It is currently chaired by Professor Daniel Shek, a leading scholar in family-related issues, and its membership comprises 15 non-official members from different backgrounds, three ex-officio members (namely Chairpersons of the Commission on Youth, Elderly Commission and Women’s Commission) and four Government representatives (namely, Secretary for Home Affairs, Secretary for Education, Secretary for Labour and Welfare, and Head of the Central Policy Unit).

The work of the Council mainly includes the following three aspects:

• Advising Government bureaux and departments on the application of family perspectives in the policy formulation process;
• Advocating cherishing the family and promoting family core values as a main driver for social harmony through organising various programmes and activities; and
• Conducting researches and surveys to foster a better understanding of the issues relating to the family.

The family core values identified by the Council are "Love and Care", "Respect and Responsibility" and "Communication and Harmony". The Council has been collaborating with various stakeholders to promote family core values with a view to reaching out to different sectors of the community and benefitting the whole community in general. It has been the supporting organiser for the Regional Symposiums organised by CIFA since 2010.

Hong Kong Council of Social Service
(HKCSS)

The Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) is an umbrella organisation of over 450 Agency Members that provide quality social welfare services for those in need through thousands of service units all over Hong Kong.

HKCSS and its member agencies believe in social justice and equality, and the intrinsic rights of every individual. While society is obliged to provide individuals with the basic social and economic resources to develop their potentials, individuals in turn should carry out their responsibilities towards their families and society, to be self-reliant and to achieve self-actualisation.

HKCSS identifies critical social issues and recommend appropriate policies to the government for healthy social change. It also mobilises cross-sector interactions to promote care, social responsibility and philanthropy culture in Hong Kong.

HKCSS is committed to Hong Kong’s sustainable development and building an instrumental social service sector by providing vital capacity and other supports to its fellow members. It represents the sector in more than 60 committees of governments and statutory bodies dealing with varieties of social issues. It also has a Special Consultative Status in the Economic and Social Commission of the United Nations.

As the founding member of CIFA, HKCSS is delighted to have the honour to work with other organisations dedicated to family well-being in the platform of CIFA in the past decade. The Asian Family Summit in 2018 will further be the milestone of the brilliant achievement. In the future, the HKCSS is looking forward to more impactful efforts through collaboration.

Social Welfare Department, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
(SWD, HKSAR Government)

The Social Welfare Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (SWD) is responsible for implementing the Government’s policies on social welfare and for developing and coordinating social welfare services in Hong Kong. With a “people-oriented” mission, SWD provides, through its over 200 service units and through offering subventions for 170 Non-governmental organisations, a wide range of welfare services for the public, including family and child welfare services, social security, services for the elderly, rehabilitation and medical social services, services for young people, etc.

SWD has been proactively promoting cross-sectoral collaboration amongst different professionals to effectively identify and provide interventions and assistance for families in need, so as to enhance the family functioning and capabilities to provide our next generation with a better development environment. Through the Asian Family Summit to be held in 2018, leveraging outstanding achievements and service wisdom of Asian regions are expected and new horizons and directions are to be explored to consolidate the professional knowledge of fellows in helping families to enhance their functioning.

SWD is very honoured to be one of the co-organisers of the Asian Family Summit and work together with all the outstanding and committed organisations for the betterment of family welfare. It is hoped that through the platform of CIFA, a caring and loving society may be built up in a creative way.