UNICEF HK expands Child Rights Advocacy Project this year to accept application throughout the year in support of more children in need in HK
2013-04-28
HONG KONG, 28 April 2013 — Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF HK) announced the expansion of the 'Unite for Children. Unite for Hong Kong.' Child Rights Advocacy Project (the Project) today after the successful trial in the past two years. Local NGOs are invited to apply for the funding to put their ideas related to child rights advocacy into action, and join UNICEF HK to champion for the rights of the needy and neglected children in Hong Kong. To continue the outreach efforts to reach the unreachable, from now on, UNICEF HK accepts year-round application for the Project and considers two-year collaboration project with NGOs which share similar vision as UNICEF and propose worthwhile projects for children.
Over the trial period in 2011 and 2012, the Project allocated a total of HK$1.5 million every year for three selected projects submitted by NGOs (up to HK$500,000 for each project annually) to foster child-related work and received an overwhelming response of almost 40 applications. Tens of thousands of marginalised children and their families were benefited from the six supported projects.
Ms Leonie Ki, Vice Chairman and Chairman of Advocacy and Public Relations Committee of UNICEF HK said, “We are encouraged by the remarkable results achieved in these two years, but we never forget those who are still beyond reach and in need of help. That is why we decided to step up the project this year and allow local NGOs to work on a longer term. We welcome year-round application, allowing interested NGOs more flexibility to plan and execute projects that coincide with their work schedule, fiscal year and manpower arrangement.” She continued, “In the past two years, we have reviewed some foresighted and sustainable projects. We believe by extending the term of funding, supporting potential projects up to a maximum of two years, we can achieve even better results, more children in need will be benefited.”
The Project is now open for application to all Hong Kong NGOs which engage in one of the following areas of work for local children: 1) General implementation work of child rights to survival, development, protection and/or participation; 2) Work for development and survival needs of poverty children; 3) Work for development and survival needs of minority groups of children, i.e. ethnic minority; 4) Work for children suffering from drug abuse; and/or 5) Work for children suffering from physical, mental, and sexual abuse and who are neglected. The maximum amount of funding for each project per year is HK$500,000.
The three selected projects last year were “All-Night Net Walker” by Youth Outreach, “Project P.E.A.C.E.: Pilot Drug and Sex Education for Children” by Community Drug Advisory Council and “Playright UNICEF Inclusive Play 2012” by Playright Children’s Play Association. They have all achieved encouraging results in over the past year.
“Playright UNICEF Inclusive Play 2012” by Playright Children’s Play Association improved the play situation of children with physical impairment by educating and promoting the concept of ‘inclusive playground’. Numerous students’ activities with parents and teachers’ workshops were held so far for children to experience ‘inclusive play’ and the needs of play environment for children with physical impairment were also investigated through survey. A professional guideline on playground development is expected to be released this year and will be then distributed to developers, Leisure and Cultural Services Department, Buildings Department, Urban Renewal Authority, schools and playground facilities suppliers etc for planning and renewal of play facilitates, and set up of inclusive playgrounds.
Youth Outreach’s “All-Night Net Walker” is the first-ever youth intervention project in Hong Kong utilising popular social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Line to reach problematic youth. It also trained “Internet Ambassadors” who used to be former triad members or drugs abusers to reach youths at high risk. The project is expected to reach over 4,000 youths online and provide them with positive messages to reform their lives.
“Project P.E.A.C.E.: Pilot Drug and Sex Education for Children” by Community Drug Advisory Council, aroused ethnic minority children’s and parents’ awareness on drugs and sex to tackle drug abuse and early mature youth issues through providing education programmes for 1,500 children, ambassador training for 120 children and training sessions for 200 parents.
‘Unite for Children. Unite for Hong Kong.’ Child Rights Advocacy Project is designed to realise and promote child rights in Hong Kong in 2011 to celeate the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF. Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF hopes to raise overall awareness of child rights through this project. We hope to work with the community to directly benefit local children and make Hong Kong more child-friendly. For more details of the project, please visit:www.unicef.org.hk/uniteforhk
- END -