香港可持續發展公民議會在上週六召開了第五次週年大會 。我從公民議會在2003年成立至今己經擔任了四屆主席，與眾多致力推動可持續發展的朋友一 起開拓耕耘了四個寒暑。到今天，「可持續發展」對香港人來說己經不 是一個陌生的名詞。我決定不再提名競選主席一職，但仍然會以公民議 會委員的身份參加工作。當然，我在「公共專業聯盟 」主持公共政策研究，以及在公民黨、長春社和社聯等機構擔任的公職 ，也離不開可持續發展的議題。
交棒便意味著新人接棒。我很高興在會上選出了葉廣濤為主席 ，莊陳有和周錦超為副主席。相信公民議會經過四年起步 ，馬上便進入茁壯成長的階段。以下是我在週年大會上發表的主席報告 ：
I. Report from the ChairmanEver since the foundation of PCSD four years ago, the concept of sustainable development has now become a household term. Despite the not uncommon misuse of the term, it is a testimony of how far society has moved.
Over the past year perhaps the most important programme for PCSD is the organistion of the Hong Kong NGO Delegation to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali in December 2007. As the only accredited NGO going to Bali from Hong Kong, we made an extra effort to nurture young leaders for this global challenge by collaborating with Hong Kong University and taking on 13 student members in the delegation.
Yet the mission to deal with the climate change challenge only just began upon the return of the delegates to Hong Kong . The government, having sent only two delegates there to join the China delegation in the last few days of the conference, seemed to have little urge to fast-track Hong Kong ’s response to this global challenge. This reminded me of the situation in 2002 when there was a big contrast between the 37-member HK NGO delegation and the 12-member government delegation. The contrast was not so much in size as in the enthusiasm and eagerness to act. The disappointment on Government’s inaction at that time was one of the main factors leading to the birth of PCSD.
Despite our very limited resource, we are pleased to have witnessed the success of the school radio drama competition focussing on the theme of air quality. The positive response from over 40 schools was very encouraging. This highlighted both the concern on air quality by our younger generation as well as the power of innovative programming.
In the past year PCSD continued its effort in advocacy and awareness building over a wide spectrum of issues, ranging from local agenda 21, sustainability reporting, harbourfront planning, cultural district development, population policy, to public education. Our network with many professional bodies, universities and community groups ensured a high level of dynamism which helped generate new ideas and new initiatives. The introduction of the concept of responsible competitiveness to local business leaders is a good example.
As the founding chairman of PCSD in its first four years, I am truly thankful to the unwavering support of all our councillors and members. Hong Kong is an unforgiving place for professionals and academics in terms of constraints on time and resources. Yet the generous contribution by many members is the key to make PCSD an uniquely successful, albeit small, organisation.
Albert Lai
II. Activities Report
Some of the highlights of activities during the year are listed below:
1. Luncheon Talk on Responsible Competitivenss
PCSD, with the support of the Trade Development Council, organised a luncheon talk in Januray 2007 featuring Dr Simon Zadek, an international guru on responsible competitivenss. Over 100 business and civil society leaders attended the luncheon and the lecture by Dr Zadek was very well-received.
2. Clean Air Radio Drama Competition
Over 40 schools participated in the first Clean Air Radio Drama Competition organised between September to December 2007. The winners were selected by a distinguished panel and awards were given to the school teams at the Air Summit organised by the Council for Sustainable Development. The award scripts were aired at Metro Radio in a show hosted by our Vice-Chairman, Plato Yip.
3. Better Air Quality
PCSD served as a public engagement partner with the Council for Sustainable Development on the subject of Better Air Quality. A Public Forum was held in October 2007 featuring a presentation by Professor Anthony Hedley of the Hong Kong University . The feedback from the forum was passed on to CSD which then formed part of the public views included in the final report. Two councillors, Dr WK Chan and Mr Chua Hoi Wai, were members of the Support Group responsible for the strategy formulation.
4. Population Policy
PCSD was an engagement partner with CSD in the formulation of sustainable development strategy for population policy. Following the two forums held by PCSD in 2006 as part of the public engagement exercise, our councillors, Mr Chua Hoi Wai, Dr WK Chan and Ir Albert Lai were involved in the final vetting of the Strategy report on population policy through their membership in the Strategy Sub-committee of CSD.
5. Wanchai Local Agenda 21
On behalf of PCSD, Dr WK Chan, provided guidance to the Wanchai District Council in their preparation of the first Local Agenda 21 – a Sustainable Development Strategy for Wanchai. The report was completed and endorsed by the Wanchai District Council.
6. West Kowloon Cultural District and People’s Panel on West Kowloon
PCSD representatives, Mr Mau Chi Wang, Dr WK Chan and Ir Albert Lai , continued to serve at the Core Group of PPWK together with other members primarily from the arts and culture sector. Whilst the government has tabled its proposal for the way forward, PPWK made representations at Legco regarding the still-deficient aspects of the current development proposal.
7. Training course with Hong Kong Securities Institute
Under the guidance of Councillor Dr Jeanne Ng, the third training course on corporate sustainability was held for security analysts in collaboration with Hong Kong Securities Institute. Ir Albert Lai delivered the lecture on behalf of PCSD.
8. Harbourfront Planning
As a member of Citizen Envisioning @ Harbour, PCSD continued its interest in the planning process for the harbourfront, and in relation to issues discussed at the Harbourfront Enhancement Committee. The height restrictions imposed by the Government at North Point and the reduced scale of development at the former North Point Estate reflected a certain level of success by the many years of lobbying efforts by the civil society.
9. Sustainablity Report
PCSD continued to serve as an endorser to ACCA, the Hong Kong Arm of the UK Accounting body, in its Sustainability Reporting Award. Chairman Ir Albert Lai also continued to serve as a member of the judging panel for the fourth year and delivered a speech on behalf of the panel at the award-giving ceremony in December 2007.
10. Sustainability course offered with HKU Master Programme
Councillor Dr Jeanne Ng and Dr Hung Wing Tat led the effort in offering a course on sustainable development in a Master degree programme with HKU, CUPEM. This serves as an important platform to enlist more young professionals in the SD movement.
11. UN Climate Change Conference in Bali
PCSD was accredited the official observer status by the United Nations for COP13 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. In conjunction with the Hong Kong University , PCSD organised a Hong Kong NGO Delegation to the Bali Conference in December 2007. The delegation comprised 18 members, including 13 student leaders. A post-Bali Workshop and Forum was held on 20 Feburary 2008 for sharing by all Bali delegates, including those from Government and the business sector. The forum was well-attended with around 80 participants.
12. Radio Programme hosting
Vice-Chairman Plato Yip co-hosted a weekly programme at Metro Radio throughout the year. Sustainability issues were key topics in the programme which has served as an important venue for public education.
13. Public Talks and Lectures
Various public talks and lectures were conducted by PCSD councillors and members throughout the year for the benefit of schools, universities and the public, including those a series of talks for the students of AISEC at the Chinese University of Hong Kong .
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23 February 2008
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