SIE Fund Launches 'Smart Silver' Program to Enhance Digital Skills for Elders in Hong Kong

2024-12-13 16:20 Last Updated At：19:18

SIE Fund launches "Smart Silver" Digital Inclusion Programme for Elders

The Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund (SIE Fund) officially launched its "Smart Silver" Digital Inclusion Programme for Elders today (December 13) at Lok Fu Place, starting a new chapter in the pursuit of digital inclusion for the elderly. Among the guests were 75 elderly volunteers who joined others to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

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SIE Fund launches "Smart Silver" Digital Inclusion Programme for Elders Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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SIE Fund launches "Smart Silver" Digital Inclusion Programme for Elders Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced in the 2024-25 Budget that the SIE Fund would allocate $100 million to provide elderly people aged 60 or above with digital training courses and technical support in the coming three years. Following an open invitation for proposals and evaluation, the SIE Fund has appointed 12 non-governmental organisations and is providing them with funding support to take forward the "Smart Silver" Digital Inclusion Programme for Elders (the Programme) across all 18 districts. Under the Programme, the appointed organisations will set up community-based help desks at suitable locations to provide regular and fixed-point training on digital technologies and technical support for elderly people aged 60 or above, particularly singleton or doubleton elders living in old districts and public housing. It covers topics such as smartphone operation know-how, the use of digital government services (e.g. "iAM Smart" and other common government mobile applications) and cybersecurity. The Programme is expected to benefit more than 100 000 elders. For details about the Programme and service hours of the help desks, please visit www.it2.gov.hk/smart_silver/.

Officiating at the launching ceremony, the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, said "The Government has been working vigorously to promote digital inclusion. The Digital Policy Office (DPO) has introduced a series of initiatives to encourage elderly people to learn and use technologies." He stated that all initiatives have been well received and that the Government will continue to press ahead with its work to help more elders.

The Chairperson of the SIE Fund Task Force, Mr Kevin Orr, invited all parties to pitch in. He said, "Digital technology has become an integral part of everyday lives while the SIE Fund has been actively promoting digital inclusion. Through cross-sector collaboration, a caring society with digital inclusion can be built where elderly people can explore the digital world on their own and enjoy active ageing."

The prize presentation ceremony of the Elderly IT Stars Recognition Scheme was also held today. Thirteen "Elderly IT Stars" were presented with awards from the Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Tony Wong. All awardees were outstanding participants of either the ICT Outreach Programme for the Elderly or the Enriched ICT Training Programme for the Elderly organised by the DPO. The Recognition Scheme aims at recognising elderly persons who have made use of digital technologies to demonstrate their commitment to improve their quality of life, bringing a positive impact to their friends and the community, and promoting a sense of worthiness among elders.

The organiser is promoting the Government's digital inclusion initiatives for elders with game booths set up at Lok Fu Place for two consecutive days (December 13 and 14), and introducing related services through information booths. The "iAM Smart" mobile registration team will also help members of the public register for "iAM Smart+" to enjoy the convenience of one-stop e-government services.

The SIE Fund was inaugurated in 2013 and is overseen by the SIE Fund Task Force under the Commission on Poverty. The Task Force Secretariat is established in the DPO under the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau. The SIE Fund acts as a catalyst for social innovation in Hong Kong. By facilitating social innovation and cultivating social entrepreneurship, the Fund aims to make an impact in alleviating poverty and social exclusion, promoting social integration, and enhancing the well-being and cohesion of society.

Hong Kong Promotes Trade and Tourism at Amsterdam Business Seminar

2024-12-14 04:40 Last Updated At：04:48

HKETO, Brussels shares with Dutch companies the opportunities brought by the latest developments of tourism and trade in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) co-organised with the Netherlands Hong Kong Business Association, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Invest Hong Kong the "Dongzhi business seminar-cum-luncheon" in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on December 11 (Amsterdam time), with the theme on tourism and trade developments in Hong Kong. The event has become an annual key business occasion in which prominent speakers from Hong Kong and the Netherlands provide Dutch companies with the latest updates on Hong Kong and the region.

Deputy Representative of HKETO, Brussels, Miss Fiona Li gave a presentation to about 70 business executives in the seminar. She elaborated about Hong Kong's prevailing advantages as an international financial, trading and logistics centre which offers unparalleled connectivity and quality services while highlighted also the latest government policies on promoting tourism. It included hosting more world-class mega-events not just for businesses, but also for sports, arts and culture. Efforts were also stepped up to better leverage the city's unique charms and strengths including our stunning harbour and waterfront, tranquil islands and countryside, rich gastronomy, and east-meets-west heritage to innovate tourism with new attractions and rediscovery of local cityscape.

"Besides establishing Hong Kong as a city of mega events, fusing arts with tourism and developing cultural and eco-tourism are also the directions we are going for", she said. Miss Li added that Hong Kong is well equipped with state-of-art infrastructure to realise these initiatives, namely the Hong Kong Palace Museum and M+ Museum in the West Kowloon Cultural District, and the Kai Tak Sports Park to be opened in early 2025. In addition to the three-runway system of Hong Kong International Airport coming into operation this November, Hong Kong is expected to become an even more popular tourist destination globally.

Citing the launch of more direct flight routes between Hong Kong and European cities in summer 2025 and Hong Kong's latest initiatives to reduce the duty rate for liquor to boost the development of logistics industry, tourism as well as high-end food and beverage consumption, Miss Li expected that more international visitors would be attracted to Hong Kong. "We are ready to welcome Dutch and other European travellers to experience the city's unique chic and glamour", Miss Li concluded.

SIE Fund Launches 'Smart Silver' Program to Enhance Digital Skills for Elders in Hong Kong

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