Hong Kong – Town Planning Board decided to amend the zoning of the proposed housing site at Fanling Golf Course to “Undetermined” temporarily

Town Planning Board decided to amend the zoning of the proposed housing site at Fanling Golf Course to “Undetermined” temporarily

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       Town Planning Board (TPB) continued today (July 24) the deliberation on the draft Fanling/Sheung Shui Extension Area Outline Zoning Plan No. S/FSSE/1 (the draft OZP). After thorough deliberation, TPB decided to accept the recommendation of the Planning Department (PlanD) to partially meet some of the representations by amending the zoning of the 9.5 hectare (ha) proposed housing site in the northernmost portion on the draft OZP (involving 3 holes of the Old Course of Fanling Golf Course) from “Residential (Group A)” (“R(A)”) to “Undetermined” (“U”) temporarily, in order to allow the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) to review the layout design, building height and development density of the public housing development. The zoning of “Other Specified Uses” annotated “Conservation cum Recreation” (“OU(CR)”) for the remaining 22 ha of land remains unchanged in accordance with original proposal.
 
       TPB was fully aware of the controversy involved in the draft OZP and had thoroughly considered the 6,787 representations and 51 comments and the oral submissions of about 190 attendees in the five hearing sessions, as well as the views and responses of PlanD and relevant departments, and held discussion in the afternoon today before arriving at the decision.
 
       TPB also noted the Hong Kong Golf Club (the Club) has applied for judicial review in respect of the decision on the relevant Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report. As stated in the Government’s earlier press release, it would not affect the TPB proceeding with the statutory planning procedures. Instead of retaining the current high-density development zoning of “R(A)”, TPB considered amending the zoning of the proposed housing site to “U” a more prudent arrangement from planning perspective taking into account the need to address the conditions set out in the EIA approval, for such arrangement could allow CEDD to review the layout design, building height and development intensity of the housing development, and with the subsequent approval of the Director of Environmental Protection on the revised scheme, PlanD could recommend to TPB the appropriate land use zoning and development parameters for the housing site. 
 
       Majority of TPB Members agreed that the 9.5 ha of land was suitable for public housing development taking into account that: (i) with the housing site being located at the fringe of Fanling/Sheung Shui New Town and in proximity to Sheung Shui MTR Station and several existing public housing estates in the North District, the proposed public housing development was compatible with the surrounding areas and could benefit from the existing transport and community facilities; (ii) albeit that CEDD was required to review the layout design, building height and development intensity to satisfy conditions attached to DEP’s approval of the EIA report, the various technical assessments conducted for the draft OZP had largely confirmed the overall technical feasibility of the proposed housing development at the site; and (iii) while the original target of population intake in 2029 would be affected, the proposed public housing was still an important source of housing supply in the next decade. Under the multi-pronged land supply strategy, the Government would conduct large-scale resumption of agricultural land and brownfield sites in the Northern Metropolis for development. Unlike these projects which would involve resumption of private land and rehousing/compensation for the current occupiers, the proposed public housing development on this 9.5 ha of government land remained time-competitive for no resumption, clearance or rehousing issues would be involved.
 
       TPB noted that the New Course and Eden Couse, each of a standard course with 18 holes, and the Old Course with the remaining 10 holes located to the west of Fan Kam Road, which amount to a total area of 140 ha, will still be kept by the Club, and the New Course and Eden Course will continue to be used for holding international tournament in future. Besides, upon the return of the 32 ha of land to the Government with effect from September 1, 2023, the future management of the area will be put under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). The Government has also stated clearly that for future organisation of international tournaments in Fanling Golf Course, based on actual need and if circumstance permits, it is willing to let the Club temporarily use the land (including the 9.5 ha site, if not yet required for housing development) for back up purpose.
 
       The zoning of the 22 ha of land in the southern part of the OZP area for “OU(CR)” is intended for conservation and passive recreational uses which are compatible with the conservation intention. TPB urged the Government to properly conserve the natural landscape and ecological features of the area, and as far as possible, to open the area to public for passive recreational use whilst not affecting the intention for conservation.
 
       TPB will exhibit, under section 6C of the Town Planning Ordinance (the Ordinance), the proposed amendment of rezoning the 9.5 ha of land to “U” on August 4 for public inspection for three weeks during which further representations can be made. Upon receipt of further representations, TPB will consider them in accordance with the Ordinance and, after making a decision, will submit the draft plan to the Chief Executive in Council for approval by the end of the statutory time limit of end November.
 
       Lastly, TPB pointed out that any land supply option would affect certain sector of the community and groups in different extent. The proposal made above has already struck a balance among various demands. With the support and mutual understanding of the society and the stakeholders or groups, the housing land problem could be resolved.

Legal Tech Job Board launched at LitigationSupportCareers.com: A User-Friendly Platform for Employers and Job Seekers

Legal Tech Job Board launched for use by Job Seekers and Employers in the legal technology vertical. Law firms, legal service providers, and corporate legal departments to share requirements by location or post as remote opportunities.

Legal Tech Job Board Logo

Legal Tech Job Board Logo

LAKE WORTH, Fla.June 8, 2023PRLog — LitigationSupportCareers.com, the industry’s first eDiscovery job board that has been a home for litigation and support job postings since 2008, is thrilled to announce the release of its upgraded online legal career center. The site has been rebranded as the Legal Tech Job Board and is part of the Legal Tech Talent Network. The new platform offers a streamlined and user-friendly experience, empowering job seekers and employers in the legal vertical to connect and achieve their mutual placement goals.

The Legal Tech Job Board now presents a feature-rich job board including these key enhancements:

  • Remote Job Listings: In response to the growing demand for remote work opportunities, the Legal Tech Job Board now allows employers to post remote job listings, providing job seekers with a broader range of flexible employment options
  • User-Friendly Interface: The new site boasts a user-friendly interface, making it effortless for job seekers and employers to navigate and interact with the platform. The intuitive design ensures a seamless and efficient job search experience on all types of browsers and devices
  • Self-Service Payment: The upgraded job board enables employers to quickly post job listings by accepting credit card payments through a secure and convenient self-service payment system powered by WooCommerce in partnership with Stripe
  • Cost-Effective Solutions: The Legal Tech Job Board offers cost-effective pricing options for job postings, making it accessible for organizations of all sizes to promote their job opportunities and attract top-tier talent
  • Expanded Reach through Social Media: All Legal Tech Job Board job postings will be distributed to the Legal Tech Talent Network’s extensive social media network that connects talented professionals with respected organizations in the legal tech vertical. With over 11,000 followers, more than 10,000 eNewsletter subscribers, and over 15,000 annual website visits, the network serves as a premier resource for legal tech talent, providing valuable and effective niche advertising solutions to legal tech employers

To experience the new Legal Tech Job Board, visit the career center homepage at https://litigationsupportcareers.com/.

“Our commitment to connecting top-tier talent with leading organizations in the legal tech industry remains unwavering,” said David A. Netzer, President of the Legal Tech Talent Network. “With the upgraded platform, we aim to provide an exceptional job search experience while offering cost-effective solutions for employers to showcase their requirements.”

About Legal Tech Talent Network:

Legal Tech Talent Network is a recruitment consulting firm connecting brilliant people with successful organizations within the global legal technology vertical. For over ten years, LTTN has provided Executive Recruitment services, Recruitment Marketing (RM), and recruitment advertising solutions to law firms, legal vendors, and in-house legal departments.  Owned and operated by Litigation Support Careers, Inc. (“LSC”), LTTN endeavors to capitalize on the extensive network built by LSC since launching the industry’s first online eDiscovery job board in 2007. Legal Tech Talent Network primarily conducts placements of senior-level sales, project management, marketing, forensics, paralegal, and operations candidates in the US, Europe, and Asia. For more information visit https://www.legaltechtalent.com/ or email Support@LitigationSupportCareers.com.

ABNS Announces New Board Members in 2023

WASHINGTONMay 25, 2023PRLog — The American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS) announced new leadership at the organization’s Spring Assembly Meeting, held March 3, 2023 in Chicago.

Krista Bower, MPA, CAE Chief Executive Officer at the American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification, Inc. (ABPANC), Cindy Lemek, MA, CAE Executive Director at Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB), and Kevin Letz, DNP, MBA, APRN, CNE, FNP-C, ANP-BC, PPCNP-BC, FAANP Director of Certification at the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) join the Board of Directors (BOD) as Members‐at‐Large. Tony Ellis, MSEd, CAE, ICE-CCP Executive Director, ONCC was reelected for a 2nd term and will continue serving as treasurer. The new leaders will begin their terms on July 1, 2023. “ABNS is thrilled to have these exceptional nursing certification leaders join the board of directors,” Terri Hinkley, EdD, MBA, BScN, RN, CAE, CEO of Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB) and current ABNS President, said. “We are excited about the future of ABNS and this BOD will work tirelessly to advance ABNS’ mission and vision.”

Krista Bower, MPA, CAE, is currently Chief Executive Officer at ABPANC. In this role, Krista oversees the development and administration of the national Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN®) and the Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA®) professional certification examinations, elevating perianesthesia nursing excellence, knowledge, and patient advocacy. Prior to her service at ABPANC, Krista served as the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Psychological Association (PPA) for 4+ years. She has held senior executive positions at the Pittsburgh (PA) Technology Council, the Greenville (SC) Chamber, the Harrisburg (PA) Regional Chamber, and the Williamsport/Lycoming (PA) Chamber. Krista holds a master’s degree in Public Administration and a bachelor’s degree in International Politics, both from Pennsylvania State University.

Cindy Lemek is the Executive Director of WOCNCB. She has worked as a non-profit executive director for more than twenty years, and she has worked with non-profit advocacy and cultural organizations as well as professional associations and certification boards. Cindy also worked for a U.S. Senator for six years providing constituent service, tracking a range of issues including the environment, transportation, and energy, and serving as a liaison to the environmental community. She has a BA from Marist College and an MA from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, both in Political Science, and she is a Certified Association Executive (CAE).

Kevin Letz, DNP, MBA, CNE, CEN, FNP-C, ANP-BC, PCPNP-BC, FAANP is the Director of Certification at AANPCB. Dr Letz will serve as the president-elect of ABNS. Previously, Dr. Letz was an associate professor at Chamberlain College of Nursing where he held the positions of Director and Dean of NP Education. His current NP practice is virtual urgent care with AmWell Medical Group. He has practiced as an NP for over 20 years mostly in the areas of emergency medicine and allergy, asthma, and immunology. Dr. Letz has published several books and numerous articles along with presenting nationally on both clinical and leadership topics. Dr. Letz received his DNP from Rush University (2001), MSN from University of St. Francis (1999), BSN from Purdue University (1997), and MBA from Keller (2012). He is a fellow in the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and member of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, the American Organization of Nurse Leaders, and National League for Nursing.

Tony Ellis, MSEd, CAE, ICE-CCP Executive Director, ONCC returns for a second board term and will continue to serve as treasurer. He joined the ONCC in 2019. As Executive Director he is responsible for all aspects of the credentialing organization’s operations and serves on the executive leadership team of the Oncology Nursing Society. Previously, Tony served in various roles for the National Association of College Stores from 2001 until 2019. In the final years of service to NACS he served as the vice president of association services and was responsible for professional development, meetings and exhibitions, credentialing and certification, membership, volunteer management, special interest groups, and advertising and sponsorship sales. Tony has more than 30 years of experience in training, teaching, coaching, and leadership education and 25-plus years in association management. Tony earned his CAE in 2001, earned the ICE-CCP in 2022, and holds a master’s degree in education from Indiana University-Bloomington and a bachelor’s from the University of Texas at Arlington.

About ABNS

The American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS) is a not-for-profit membership organization governed by an elected group of member representatives. With a mission to promote the value of specialty nursing certification, ABNS also serves as a forum for nursing credentialing organizations to connect and dialogue about the specific issues that certified nurses and those seeking certification face.
https://www.nursingcertification.org/

Hong Kong – Partners’ Board set up under Strive and Rise Programme holds first meeting (with photos)

Partners’ Board set up under Strive and Rise Programme holds first meeting (with photos)

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     The Government today (October 24) announced the setting up of a Partners’ Board under the Strive and Rise Programme. The membership of the Board comprises the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, representatives of relevant government departments, and strategic partners that provide the Programme with key support (see the list at the Annex). The Board held its first meeting today to receive a briefing by government representatives on the matching of mentees with mentors and the arrangements of activities under the first phase of the Programme. Members were pleased to learn of the good progress made, and offered views on the arrangements for the activities to be organised. 



     At the meeting, Mr Chan said that all the strategic partners invited to join the Partners’ Board are the enterprises or organisations providing the Programme with key support in terms of sponsorship or nomination of mentors, and that their involvement would enable the Government to tap constructive views to best take forward the Programme. 



     He said, “Since the announcement of the Strive and Rise Programme in late August, various sectors of society have responded to the Government’s appeal by offering staunch support in terms of sponsorship, nomination of mentors and planning of group activities for mentees. Schools, and the district organisations engaged by the Government, have also taken part in recruiting junior secondary school mentees. Their collective efforts have contributed to the smooth launch of the first phase of the Programme.” He added that it was encouraging to learn of the close tripartite collaboration between the Government, the business sector and the community from the preparatory stage to the implementation stage under the Programme. On behalf of the Government, he expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the enterprises, organisations and individuals involved.



     At the meeting, the Partners’ Board received a briefing by government representatives on the results of matching between the recruited mentors and mentees under the first phase of the Programme. Members were pleased to learn that the first phase has admitted 2 800 eligible mentees, 40 per cent more than the recruitment target of 2 000 mentees, and that each of the mentees admitted would be assigned a mentor. Furthermore, the Programme has received the overwhelming support of about 120 enterprises and organisations. Not only have sufficient eligible mentors been recruited, sponsorship of some $140 million has also been raised. Some 800 group activity sessions, including those by government departments, have also been made available for enrollment by mentees. 



     Mr Chan said, “Under the first phase of the Programme, the enrollment of mentees and nomination of mentors have seen favourable feedback, with the numbers of eligible mentors and mentees both exceeding 2 000. Junior secondary school students from underprivileged families are the target of the Programme, and it is our mission to support as many of them as possible. Upon our thorough consideration, and discussion with our implementation agents, we have decided to admit to this phase of the Programme all the 2 800 eligible junior secondary school mentees from underprivileged families. They include junior secondary school students living in inadequate housing such as subdivided units and those from grassroots families. We aim to give the collaboration between the Government, the business sector and the community full play in order to support all of the mentees in a targeted manner.” 



     At the meeting, members of the Partners’ Board said that they believe the various stages of the Programme, including orientation activities starting late October in phases, would proceed in an orderly manner upon the continued collaboration between the Government, the business sector and the community. Strategic partners said that they would continue to render their support for the steady implementation of the Programme. 



     The Strive and Rise Programme is led by an inter-departmental task force chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration. Through the tripartite collaboration between the Government, the business sector and the community, the Programme aims to help Secondary One to Secondary Three students from underprivileged families to broaden their horizons, reinforce their self-confidence, develop a positive outlook on life, set goals for their future and strive for upward mobility. It comprises three elements, namely mentorship, personal development plans and financial support. The first phase of the Programme lasts for one year.

Ocean School dives into the new school year with a revamped website and a celebration of the United Nations Ocean Decade. A project of the National Film Board and the Ocean Frontier Institute at Dalhousie University, with over 100 pieces of media and 27 collections streaming free online.

Halifax – WEBWIRE



The National Film Board of Canada and the Ocean Frontier Institute’s Ocean School is kicking off the new school year with a new bilingual resource library on its platform that gives students and teachers a wider view of what happens in our oceans.


To celebrate the launch and the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, Ocean School will host an online information session on September 27, 2022, at 7 p.m. EDT, led by Jac Gautreau, Executive Producer of Ocean School; Boris Worm, Scientific Director of Ocean School; and Heather De Lagran, Education Producer of Ocean School. The session will include a guided tour of Ocean School‘s new resource library, new collections, features and content on the platform, as well as upcoming projects and a discussion about the UN Ocean Decade.


Fun facts:

  • The resource library has more than 100 pieces of media and 27 themed collections streaming free online for students, teachers and parents to explore ocean issues, including virtual reality, interactive media, augmented reality and short documentary videos.
  • The resources include ready-made activities for students in grades five through 12, which can be searched by keywords, grade, subject and type of media.
  • Students get to interview innovators and scientists in Canada and from around the world about their work, exploring how new technology and ideas are used to study and protect the ocean.

Features of the new Ocean School experience include:

  • An ad-free and login-free experience to enjoy in the classroom or at home;
  • A secure experience for learners without collecting student data;
  • Described video and closed captioning for learners with visual and hearing impairment;
  • Collections curated by educators and scientists to address themes like climate change, biodiversity, Indigenous perspectives on the environment, and STEM careers;
  • Ready-made activities for learners to accompany each piece of media. The activities are Creative Commons, so teachers can adapt them to meet their students’ needs;
  • Tools for teachers, including integrations with Google Classroom and Microsoft Teams that allow them to share resources with just a few clicks;
  • A responsive design to meet classroom needs by allowing usage on a variety of devices.

Ocean School’s project “Building Ocean Literacy through Community Engagement” is an official action of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030).


Quotes 


“We’re proud that, through the support of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ocean School will be part of Canada’s contribution to the Ocean Decade. Our work will highlight how communities in our northern latitudes and around the world are innovating to solve ocean challenges, fostering a stronger connection between people and the sea.”

– Boris Worm, Scientific Director, Ocean School


“Ocean School is beautiful. Everything that’s on there is really well filmed, well produced. I also like that it’s kind of meeting the students where they’re at right now. Students definitely have taken to using their phones a lot, and I think this actually gives them a positive opportunity to use the media that they’re familiar with and comfortable with right now in a really positive way. Ocean School is accessible on their mobile, it’s accessible on our class devices too. That’s the key. It’s engaging for them.”

– Kira Janisse, Grade 11 Biology Teacher, Toronto District School Board


“Ocean School is a way I can bring the ocean to my students without the expense of a field trip. It is immediate and engaging, I can dive in for a quick ‘minds on’ or a full science or geography lesson. For students who, in some cases, have never even walked along a body of water, Ocean School empowers them with the beauty and power of the ocean in a way that demonstrates why committing to the stewardship of the planet is an essential and lifelong event.”

– Melissa Dent, Grade 7 Teacher, Lambton Kent District School Board


About the Ocean Frontier Institute


The Ocean Frontier Institute was established in 2016 and is a partnership led by Dalhousie University, Memorial University of Newfoundland, and University of Prince Edward Island. The Institute is now an international entity administering the Canada First Research Excellence Fund—The Safe and Sustainable Development of the Ocean Frontier, the Ocean Graduate Excellence Network (OGEN), Ocean School, and the North Atlantic Carbon Observatory (NACO).


About the NFB


The NFB is Canada’s public producer of award-winning creative documentaries, auteur animation, interactive stories and participatory experiences. NFB producers are embedded in communities across the country, from St. John’s to Vancouver, working with talented creators on innovative and socially relevant projects. The NFB is a leader in gender equity in film and digital media production, and is working to strengthen Indigenous-led production, guided by the recommendations of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission. NFB productions have won over 7,000 awards, including 20 Canadian Screen Awards, 17 Webbys, 12 Oscars and more than 100 Genies. To access NFB works, visit NFB.ca or download its apps for mobile devices.


Associated Links


Ocean Frontier Institute

United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development


French version here | Version française ici.