Theme 1: Quality of Life

Theme 1: Quality of LifeTheme 1: Quality of LifeTopic 3: Considerations in and Topic 3: Considerations in and hurdles to maintaining and hurdles to maintaining and improving the quality of lifeimproving the quality of life

Theme Mind Theme Mind MapMap

Definition of the Definition of the quality of lifequality of life

１

Measuring Hong Measuring Hong Kong’s quality of Kong’s quality of life from different life from different perspectivesperspectives

２

３Considerations in Considerations in and hurdles to and hurdles to maintaining and maintaining and improving the improving the quality of lifequality of life

Quality of Quality of LifeLife

3. 3. ConsiderationConsideration

s in and s in and hurdles to hurdles to

maintaining maintaining and and

improving the improving the quality of lifequality of life

Exploration Journey 1Must priorities be set in

maintaining and improving the quality of life?

Exploration Journey 2Is it not easy to maintain

and improve the quality of life?

1

Must priorities be set in maintaining and improving the quality of life?

Exploration Journey

Exploration Journey 1: Must priorities be set in Exploration Journey 1: Must priorities be set in maintaining and improving the quality of life?maintaining and improving the quality of life?Exploration Journey 1: Must priorities be set in Exploration Journey 1: Must priorities be set in maintaining and improving the quality of life?maintaining and improving the quality of life?

What are the major What are the major considerations in considerations in maintaining and maintaining and

improving the quality improving the quality of life? What of life? What

obstacles may arise?obstacles may arise?

Where can one begin in improving one’s quality of life?

When both material and non-material quality of life

are satisfied,

one feels that one has high quality of life.


But it’s hard for us to satisfy our needs all at once. How should we set priorities?


Social needs

Safety needs

American psychologist Abraham H. Maslowintroduced the Need-hierarchy Theory in 1970

Physiological needs

Esteem needs

Self-actualization


What physiological needs do we have?

We need to eat when we are hungry

We need to see the doctor when we feel sick

We need enough clothes to keep warm

We need a home for shelter


What safety needs do we have?

We want to be well provided for and lead a stable life

We want to stay away from natural disasters and accidents

We want security for our future


What social needs do we have?

We want to make different friends and have their recognition and care

We want to take part in different communities and obtain a sense of belonging

We want to have satisfactory a family life and the understanding and care of family


What esteem needs do we have?

We crave for different rights and freedoms, do what one wants to do

We expect to improve self-esteem through personal accomplishments

We hope to be respected in communities to which one belongs


What are our needs for self- actualization？

We try our best to finish one’s work

We finish what we want to do or tasks assigned to us so as to obtain a sense of satisfaction

We hope to become what other people expect of us


Physiological needs

Safety needs

Social needs

Esteem needs

Need for self-actualizationUnder normal Under normal circumstances, circumstances, which level of which level of the Need the Need Hierarchy do Hierarchy do people pursue people pursue first? Why?first? Why?


　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

Who should maintain and improve the Who should maintain and improve the quality of life?quality of life?

GovernmentGovernment Social Social GroupsGroups

IndividualsIndividuals


How should the How should the governmentgovernment maintain and improve the maintain and improve the quality of life?quality of life?

‧‧ListensListens to its people’s opinions,

to its people’s opinions,

devises policies that meet the


needs of different social classes


‧‧ProvidesProvides social welfare and social

social welfare and social

securitysecurity

‧‧GivesGives its people economic,

its people economic,

political, cultural and other

political, cultural and other rightsrights

‧‧ListensListens to its people’s opinions,

to its people’s opinions,





‧‧ProvidesProvides social welfare and social

social welfare and social

securitysecurity

‧‧GivesGives its people economic,

its people economic,

political, cultural and other

political, cultural and other rightsrights

Government


‧‧Protect the interests

Protect the interests of theirof their

membersmembers

‧‧AdvocateAdvocate their missions and their missions and

arousearouse public attention, and

public attention, and

even influence public policy-


making making

‧‧ProvidesProvides society with different

society with different

servicesservices

‧‧Protect the interests

Protect the interests of theirof their

membersmembers

‧‧AdvocateAdvocate their missions and their missions and

arousearouse public attention, and

public attention, and



making making

‧‧ProvidesProvides society with different

society with different

servicesservicesGroups

How should How should social groupssocial groups maintain and maintain and improve the quality of life?improve the quality of life?


‧‧FulfillFulfill their civic their civic dutiesduties and and

exerciseexercise their civil their civil rightsrights, such as

, such as

voting and expressing their


opinions concerning social affairs


‧‧Take part Take part in cultural and in cultural and

recreational activities for self-


improvementimprovement

‧‧Help those in need Help those in need in society and

in society and

one another to promote

one another to promote social social

harmonyharmony

‧‧FulfillFulfill their civic their civic dutiesduties and and

exerciseexercise their civil their civil rightsrights, such as

, such as





‧‧Take part Take part in cultural and in cultural and



improvementimprovement

‧‧Help those in need Help those in need in society and

in society and

one another to promote

one another to promote social social

harmonyharmony

Individuals

How should How should individualsindividuals maintain and improve maintain and improve the quality of life?the quality of life?


1.6 billion in the Budget to secure employment and the economy

Financial Secretary John C Tsang announced the 2009-10 Budget at the Legislative Council yesterday. He highlighted new policies the government has devised to face the financial tsunami with the public. Short-term policies include more employment security measures whereas long-term policies focus on Hong Kong’s sustainable economic development by strengthening the fundamentals and developing new economic initiatives. Tsang said that the disadvantaged would be provided with assistance so as to build a caring community. The public has a rather high expectation on the Budget. It is particularly concerned with the employment situation. The Budget states that HK$1.6 billion will be used in the coming three years to create 62,000 jobs and internship opportunities, and HK$400 million is earmarked for non-recurrent funding to enhance a series of employment programmes. HK$13 million additional funding will be provided for the Labour Department to provide employment assistance to employees affected by company closures. In the face of the financial tsunami, the employment prospects of university graduates is of special concern. In view of this, the Financial Secreatary has earmarked HK$140 million to launch an ‘Internship Programme for University Graduates’

A2 Daily News 25 February 2009

Source: 2009-10 Budget

Does the government budget take care of the people?Does the government budget take care of the people?


Source: Friends of the Earth – http://www.foe.org.hk/welcome/gettc.asp

On the night of 21 June 2009, more than 1,600 buildings in Hong Kong will take part in the ‘Dim It Brighten Up’ campaign. The campaign not only means to have the lights off for two hours but also to make the public aware of the impact of our wasteful lifestyle on the environment and cherish our resources in different aspects of our lives so as to reduce the burden on our Earth. It is also hoped that the government would legislate to prevent light pollution soon. Otherwise, the Pearl of the Orient would become a low-efficiency light bulb.

Do local green groups arouse people’s concern for Do local green groups arouse people’s concern for energy-consumption problems?energy-consumption problems?


Source: Adapted from various local newspapers, 5 June 2009

Does personal participation arouse public responses Does personal participation arouse public responses to political and social affairs?to political and social affairs?


News Comment

Hong Kong Alliance held the 20th Anniversary vigil at the Victoria Park last night. The organization’s figures show that 150,000 people attended the vigil. A newspaper interviewed 373 attendants and found that 51% of them attended the vigil for the vindication of June Fourth. 26 % of them expressed worries that the next generation might forget about the incident. In addition, 8% and 7% of the interviewees were dissatisfied with the positions of the central government and the Chief Executive on the June Fourth incident.

資料來源：綜合本地各大報章報道， 2009 年 6 月 5日。

How do the above examples reflect the influences of the government, social groups and individuals on Hong Kong’s quality of life?


What factors affect the priorities of government What factors affect the priorities of government policies on the maintenance and improvement of the policies on the maintenance and improvement of the quality of life?quality of life?

Citizens’ level Citizens’ level

of concern of concern

Interests involved

Interests involved

Ways through Ways through

which social which social

groups groups

express their express their

demanddemand

Resources that Resources that

can be mobilizedcan be mobilized


Given a rapidly ageing population and our limited financial resources, we should direct resources to the elderly in genuine need to ensure the sustainable development of our existing non-contributory social security and welfare system, which is based on a simple tax regime. As such, the Government needs to consider introducing a means test mechanism. The current recipients of the old age allowance will not be affected.

Source: 2008-09 Policy Address


Hong Kong POP website: 61% of a survey’s respondents disagreed to the

Chief Executive's proposal to introduce a means test mechanism to the Old Age Allowance while 30% agreed to it. The ratio of opposition is higher than that concerning Article 23 of the Basic Law.

School of Journalism and Communication, CUHK: 47 % and 20% of 800 interviewees opposed to and supported legislation respectively.

Lingnan University Among the 500 people polled, 51% believed there

was no need for legislation.

Source: Adapted from various local newspapers, 25 October 2009.


To show the government’s respect for public opinion, we have decided to shelf the proposal of a means test mechanism and increase the amount of the old age allowance to HK$1,000. We had did expect that the policy would arouse heated debate, but public opposition was overwhelming. A long-term sustainable policy is considered unsympathetic and arrogant, and rational policy discussion was defeated by sentimentality. What I want to emphasize is that the introduction of a means test mechanism does not contradict ‘respect to the elderly’. The issue needs to be reviewed when the right time comes.

Source: Adapted from various local newspapers, 25 October 2009.


Let’s Think

What considerations of the government are reflected in the increase of the old age allowance? Why does the government have these considerations?


2

Is it not easy to maintain and improve the quality of life?

Exploration Journey

What difficulties may arise in the maintenance and improvement of the quality of life?

Exploration Journey 2: Is it not easy to Exploration Journey 2: Is it not easy to maintain and improve the quality of life?maintain and improve the quality of life?Exploration Journey 2: Is it not easy to Exploration Journey 2: Is it not easy to maintain and improve the quality of life?maintain and improve the quality of life?

A lack of resources

Low overall technological level in society

A lack of social cohesion

Different perceptions of social justice

Regional and international factors

What difficulties may arise in the maintenance and improvement of the quality of life?


Difficulties posed by a lack of resources to the improvement of the quality of life

Hong Kong has a huge population

but little landHong Kong lacks

land resources

Wall effect and heat island effect

are serious

Prices of land and properties are high

Needs for housingand environmental concerns

are not addressed

Declin

e of the q

uality of life


Difficulties in improving the quality of life with technology

Insufficient knowledge of technology

Technology is

expensive

Use of technology is still uncommon


It is inconsistent with international standards to

exempt certain food products. Any nutritional

claims such as high calcium and low fat should

be stated to consumers. The government should

legislate for a compulsory labelling

system to ensure citizens’ right to

information.

Genetically- modified

agricultural products may harm

human immune system. Citizens should be careful when buying such

products.

The authority should not set standards that

are different from other countries

regarding nutrition labelling. Food

providers may not sell products of low

market sales in Hong Kong and it will not only affects Hong

Kong’s trade volume but also reduce

people’s choice of food products.

Packaged food products with an annual sale of fewer than 30,000 are exempt from nutrition labelling and thus the law exists in name only. The citizens may be misled and their health is not safeguarded.

Source: Adapted from various local newspapers, 29 April – 7 June 2008.

Let’s Learn More: Different opinions in Hong Kong towards food labelling


Do you think the different opinions on food labelling is good or bad to the improvement of the quality of life in Hong Kong?


What is social cohesion?What is social cohesion?


What is social cohesion?

The ability of society to attract and integrate its members in order to realize specific social functions or achieve certain goals through collective behaviour.

Definition

Examples ‧After the Sichuan earthquake, many Hong Kong people donated money and volunteered to visit Sichuan to help the victims ‧ During the 20th anniversary of the ‘June Forth

Incident’, many Hong Kong people participated in the march and vigil to express their concern for the incident through social solidarity.


How does social cohesion affect the improvement of quality of life?

Divergence among social Divergence among social members on public affairs members on public affairs makes consensus difficult makes consensus difficult and may even upset social and may even upset social harmony. It also makes it harmony. It also makes it hard for government to hard for government to devise policies. In the long devise policies. In the long run, it is detrimental to the run, it is detrimental to the improvement of the quality improvement of the quality of life.of life.


Different perceptions of social justice hinder the improvement of the quality of life

What is the scope of social What is the scope of social justice?justice?

Recognition of diverse values

Protection of individuals’ autonomy

Emphasis of equality

Transparency of social policies


A lack of social justice/different A lack of social justice/different perceptions of social justice among perceptions of social justice among social memberssocial members

Obstruction to the implementation Obstruction to the implementation of policies related to the of policies related to the improvement of the quality of lifeimprovement of the quality of life

Much time is Much time is needed to resolve needed to resolve conflicts and reach social conflicts and reach social consensusconsensus

ResultsResults

Different perceptions of social justice hinder the improvement of the quality of life


2008-09 Policy Address2008-09 Policy Address

highlights the needs for balanced social interests and the highlights the needs for balanced social interests and the protection of social justice protection of social justice

專題探索 3︰怎樣衡量香港的政治素質？

The second challenge is balancing social interests and upholding social

justice. Public policies should balance the interests of different social strata.

We also need to devise long-term solutions and foster community consensus

over controversial policies. In parallel, we need to take a forward-looking

approach in promoting social development. This includes upholding the family

as the core social value of this modern Chinese society and introducing

sustainable measures to meet the challenges posed by an ageing population.

Let’s Let’s Learn Learn MoreMore


Affects Hong Kong’s Affects Hong Kong’s air qualityair quality

Weakens foreign Weakens foreign investors’desire to investinvestors’desire to invest

in Hong Kongin Hong Kong

Threatens Hong Kong’s Threatens Hong Kong’s competitivenesscompetitiveness

Low

ers environmental quality

Low

ers economic quality

Low

ers the quality of life

Air pollution in Air pollution in the Pearl River the Pearl River

DeltaDelta

Difficulties posed by regional and international factors to the improvement of the quality of life


Difficulties posed by regional and international factors to the improvement of the quality of life

Threats posed by Threats posed by globalization to Hong Kong’s globalization to Hong Kong’s

quality of lifequality of life

Environment: Global warming

Economy: Financial tsunami

Food safety: Global food crisis, food safety

Diseases: SARS, Influenza A (H1N1)


Hong Kong government urged the US government for better preventive measures

Human swine flu has further spread around the world. Secretary for Food and Health York Chow Yat-ngok wrote to US Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services for exit screening measures at the airport, including temperature taking, health declaration and issuing appeal to US citizens with flu symptoms to stop travelling. Chow reinstated that all WHO members are responsible for stopping the spread of the virus and he hoped that the US could do better. Chow also forwarded the letter to Chen Zhu, president of the Ministry of Health of the PRC in the hope that the Chinese government would voice out the demands to the US government for the Hong Kong government. The spokesperson of the US Consulate said that the US had carried out various measures in the face of the epidemic to prevent the spread of the virus. The relevant measures are in line with the guidelines laid down by the WHO, i.e., to not take travelling restrictions as preventive measures.

A1 Daily News 15 may 2009

Source: Adapted from various local newspapers, 15 May 2009.

Hong Kong and the US differ in their preventive Hong Kong and the US differ in their preventive measures of the spread of Influenza A (H1N1)measures of the spread of Influenza A (H1N1)


As a cosmopolitan city, does Hong Kong have an advantage in

cooperating with other regions or

countries to improve the

quality of life?


Documents

Theme 1: Quality of Life