Keeping in step with needs of our time
Many lives and numerous communities across the world have been touched by the relief work of the Red Cross and its army of volunteers.
The global organisation demonstrated the spirit of reaching out through a dance event that attracted thousands of people.
'World Red Cross Day - Dance the World', held at Victoria Park, featured more than 1,000 members of the humanitarian organisation, volunteers, elderly and professional dance groups.
It was part of a celebration to mark the birthday of founder and Nobel laureate Henri Dunant (1828-1920).
A mass dance event was held in other regional and world capitals as well.
Former chief justice Yang Ti- liang and Secretary for Home Af fairs David Lan Hong-tsung kicked off the Hong Kong celebration.
A spokesman said: 'Dance is used by every culture to express their feelings. It can be understood universally, regardless of language or cultural barriers and is an excellent medium through which to portray the universality and the feeling of humanity of the Red Cross movement.' To reinforce the message of humanity, dance students from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and other local pro fessional dance groups performed a mix of dances which depicted how humans overcome suffering and achieve happiness.
Games stalls were set up at the park.
Exhibits were also set up to illustrate the urgent humanitarian and relief work undertaken by the organisation.
The programmes for the day of worldwide celebration included a dragon dance at the Great Wall of China by the Chinese Red Cross; a parade and carnival in Bangkok by the Thai Red Cross; a 2,000-strong gala dance in Ma nila by the Philippines Red Cross, and a mass dance at the Angkor Wat temple by the Red Cross of Cambodia.
This global effort was aimed at symbolising solidarity and mutual support.
The Hong Kong Red Cross, established in 1950, is part of the International Red Cross movement.
It has a staff of 790 and more than 12,000 volunteers working for various causes.
