Speech by SLW at 7th World Congress on Conductive Education

"Hong Kong (HKSAR) - Following is the speech by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, at 7th World Congress on Conductive Education today (December 6):

Professor Leung (Professor Leung Nai-kong, Chairman, Organising Committee of the 7th World Congress on Conductive Education), Ms XuXiao Ming (Secretary General/Deputy Director, China Association of Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons), Professor Ildikö Kozma (President, International András Petö
Association of Conductive Education), Mr Fong (Mr Fong Cheung Fat, Chief Executive Officer, SAHK), distinguished guests, ladiesand gentlemen,

Welcome to "East Meets West: Adaptation & Development"- The 7th World Congress on Conductive Education. We are indeed honoured that the Congress is being held in Hong Kong. It is, if I may say so, an encouraging recognition of our effort and achievement in promoting the well-being of persons with disabilities.

The Hong Kong SAR Government is fully committed to helping persons with disabilities develop their physical and mental capabilities, fully realise their potential and integrate into the community.

For children with special education needs, our objective is to help them acquire a whole range of skills.

These include their fundamental developmental skills, intellectual ability, and perceptual-motor, cognitive, communication, social and self-care skills. Conductive Education is one of the programme options being implemented in many of the special schools for physically handicapped children in Hong Kong.

The holistic approach of Conductive Education combines education and therapy specially designed for children with neurological impairment resulting in weak or uncoordinated movement, Since its inception some 40 years ago, it has helped improve the quality of life and psychological well-being of these children and their families.

I would like to congratulate the SAHK and the International András Petö
Association for hosting this important event. Researchers, educators, policy-makers, carers and other specialists worldwide are invited to get together to share their knowledge, experience and best practices.

In this regard, the unstinting effort of the International András Petö Association is most commendable and impressive.

On the other hand, as the pioneer in the field in Hong Kong since 1980s, SAHK has not only made great strides in applying Conductive Education to its special child care centres, special schools and adult services, but also taken up the pivotal role in promoting Conductive Education to the Mainland of China in the 1990s. We are very proud of its accomplishment.

With the valuable input of our distinguished speakers and knowledgeable delegates from both the East and the West, I am sure that the Congress will lend further impetus to translate insightful ideas into practice. I wish all of you fruitful exchanges in the Congress, and our visitors a pleasant and enjoyable stay in Hong Kong.

Thank you."


Source: HKSAR Government

7th Space:

http://7thspace.com/headlines/366037/speech_by_slw_at_7th_world_congress_on_conductive_education.html