29 years old unemployed driver who could not cope with the stress caused by losing job and family problem jumped from height and lost a valuable life.

The First Annual General Meeting was held on 9 February 2009 when members received the

Annual report prepared by the Chairperson, the Treasurer’s report and the Audited Account. The election for the Council also took place during the AGM. Mrs. Patricia CHU, Chairperson of CIFA, acknowledged the generous support given by sponsors to CIFA. She looked forward to continued support from members and sponsors in the coming year. Chairperson’s report will be uploaded onto the CIFA WEP.

The first monthly forum covers the topic of the cause of the financial tsunami and the influence on the social welfare sector. Speakers include Mr. Dominic Ling, Chief Executive Coach, One

Learning Institute, Ms. Agnes Ng, Assistant Director, Christian Family Service Centre and Dr.

Timothy Chan, Business Director, Service Development, Hong Kong Council of Social Service.

In this issue, we profile some of the fine work CIFA members by throwing spotlight on the Sunflower Women Mutual Help Group of Serene Court. The Centre, operated since 1996, provides 24 hours emergency shelter and other support services for women and children suffering from family violence. During their maximum stay of 3 months in the shelter, they are provided with individual counseling, therapeutic groups, referrals, child care service, coaching class for children, interest class, talks and seminars, voluntary services, outdoor activities etc.

The focus is on their safety, physical and emotional needs, and also on empowering them so they recognize their right to protect themselves and regain the ability to rebuild their family life.

On 17th of December 2008, a forum on “Trans-Disciplinary Perspective on Maintenance” was co-organized by the HKUFI and Conflict Resolution Centre (CRC) and funded by the Home Affairs Bureau, HKSAR government. The full day Forum was the first of its kind, where different professionals including family lawyers, social workers, school personnel etc. attended the event, with keynote and panel presentations by experienced speakers covering topics from legal, psychological and social perspective on maintenance.

On the 3rd of December, the Central Policy Unit of the HKSAR Government hosted the conference on “Strengthening Hong Kong’s Families”: Embracing a Holistic Family Approach in Formulating Social Policy and Providing Social Services” which was co-organized by the HKUFI of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of HK and the Hong Kong Institute of Asia Pacific Studies at CUHK.

The Hong Kong University Family Institute celebrated its 5th anniversary and the graduation of its 5th batch of students from the Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy program on November 26, 2008, at the Hong Kong Football Club with a carefully prepared ceremony and dinner.The ceremony was officiated by Prof.lan Holliday, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at HKU.

The Central policy Unit will be co-organizing this one day conference together with the HKU Family Institute and the Hong Kong Institute of Asia_Pacific Studies at CUHK.

The CIFA Council has decided to issue an e-newsletter on a bi-weekly basis, to provide information on CIFA events,other relevant conferences, research and publications of common interest.Members contribution in the form of information sharing is encouraged here.