(for immediate release)
Hong Kong, September 28, 2003 (Sunday) - Legal members and other guests of honour gathered at the Law Society premises today to make their wishes in creating Hong Kong a cleaner and better world-class city to live and work.
Theme of Law Week 2003
The theme of Law Week 2003 is "Environmental Law and Protection". The Law Society of Hong Kong aimed at putting a strong emphasis on "Know the Environmental Law and Raise the Quality of Life", which was announced in the conference. Law Week 2003 will be officially opened on October 4, 2003.
Mr. Ip Shing Hing, President of the Law Society of Hong Kong, Mr. Anthony Hung, Chairman of the Law Week 2003 Organizing Committee, the members of Organizing Committee of Law Week 2003 and other guests of honour have made their wishes in creating a better living environment in Hong Kong.
"Since the establishment of the HKSAR, the government has been putting its effort in tackling air and water pollution as well as reducing waste as it sets out to become a world-class city. However, the economic downturn in the past two years has drawn most of public's attention to revitalizing the economy," said Mr. Ip Shing Hing, President of the Law Society of Hong Kong.
"The SARS outbreak earlier this year has inevitably brought the environmental hygiene and protection issue back to the public's attention. Not only will a cleaner environment provide a better and healthier living condition, it will also sustain Hong Kong's image as an international city and attract more business investments, more talents and more tourists.
"All of which are fundamentals to the economic uptake of Hong Kong. As a leading legal professional body, the Law Society is obliged to put environmental protection to the top of the agenda of Law Week this year," Mr. Ip said.
My Wishing Trees
In order to raise the public awareness of environmental protection in Hong Kong, the Law Society of Hong Kong has put forth an initiative, "My Wishing Trees", to let the public express their wishes in how to make Hong Kong a cleaner world-class city and thus a better place to live and work. The event leads to the official opening of Law Week 2003.
Starting from this weekend, "My Wishing Trees" will be displayed in eight different housing estates and shopping centres from 9am to 9pm all over Hong Kong for the public to make their wishes in three consecutive weekends. The wishes collected so far have been innovative and inspiring with one saying "I wish I could swim or fish in the Victoria Harbour one day!" All the wishes will be sent to the government for reference.
Green Solicitors' Office
Setting forth to promote the theme to love and protect our environment, the Law Society realizes the significance of turning the legal profession into a model example. Initiating the first step, the Law Society has already engaged its office by displaying green plants around, switching off lights and air-conditioners during lunch hours and immediately after working hours, and promoting a paperless office or double-sided printing for internal document.
In addition, a "Green Solicitors' Office" campaign has also been carried out to encourage all the law firms in Hong Kong to create a green working environment. Printed on recycled paper, pamphlets suggesting them on conservation of energy and water, waste management and indoor air quality improvement, have been sent to members of the Law Society as an energy-saving guideline.
"Being the 13th anniversary this year, Law Week has been rooted firmly on our yearly calendar. It is now one of the annual events that everyone in Hong Kong expects." said Mr. Anthony Hung, Chairman of the Law Week 2003 Organizing Committee.
"Riding on the theme of this year, we have designed a number of activities to promote environmental protection and environmental law.
"Besides 'My Wishing Trees' and the 'Green Solicitors' Office' campaign, the program includes a drawing competition and court visits for students, week-long free legal advice sessions for members of the general public and a forum for the members of the legal profession. All of which are tailor-made to provide interactive events for youth and adults. Details of each activity will be announced when Law Week 2003 is officially opened on October 4, 2003 at the Hong Kong Park.
"We anticipate that it will be an event which all public will benefit from, an event that helps to build a 'Better Hong Kong' altogether," Mr Hung added.
About the Law Society of Hong Kong
Incorporated in 1907, the Law Society of Hong Kong is a professional body of solicitors in Hong Kong vested with the statutory powers to regulate the professional conduct of solicitors. It establishes and promotes professional standards and the solicitors' code of conduct and practice and ensures its compliance. The Law Society also assists its members to promote Hong Kong legal services and offers its views from time to time on legal issues that are of public concern.
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For further information, please contact:
Or visit the Law Society of Hong Kong website at www.hklawsoc.org.hk
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