Build-up to Occupy Central: Student Internships, the NDI, the Civic Party and Yvonne LEUNG

HKU Internship Fair in February 2012

In February 2012, HKU ran an internship fair¹ at which the National Democratic Institute (NDI)² and the Civic Party³ offered internships.

NDI Internship advertised

At the fair, the NDI advertised for a one year student internship as follows:

Community Partner: National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (Hong Kong) Internship Topic: Democracy and Governance, Hong Kong politics, women’s political participation.

Internship Description

·         To provide political update weekly

·         To assist in maintaining National Democratic Institute - Hong Kong (NDI HK)

·         contact database;

·         To assist in managing staff's travel arrangements;

·         To update and monitor NDI HK facebook page;

·         To take notes during NDI HK sponsored events;

·         To attend relevant events and report back;

·         To provide general administrative support.

NDI internship flier. Page 1

NDI internship flier. Page 2

Civic Party Internships advertised

At the same fair, Alan Leong Kah-kit , Audrey Eu  and Ronny Tong Ka-wah of the Civic Party offered 12 internships.

This is relevant, because one of the internships with Alan Leong Kah-kit was taken up by Yvonne LEUNG Lai-kwok, one of the student leaders involved in Occupy Central and the subsequent relationship between Yvonne LEUNG and the Civic Party has since become the subject of much controversy.

 The Civic Party internships were advertised as follows:

1. Office of Alan Leong Kah-kit Legislative Council Member.

Internship Topic: Exposure in a LegCo Member's office.

INTERNSHIP DESCRIPTION - To do research and gather information, to organise community liaison activities and to assist in LegCo Election campaigns. SELECTION MODE Open. Recruitment. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Proficiency in spoken English and Chinese - Strong sense of responsibility. NO. OF PLACEMENTS 6.

Alan LEONG Kah-kit internship flier

2. Office of Audrey Eu Legislative Council Member.

Internship Topic: Development of Citizenship in Hong Kong.

 INTERNSHIP DESCRIPTION - To conduct public policy research and advocacy, to coordinate district activities and to provide administrative and logistical support. SELECTION MODE Faculty Matching. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Interest in the development of the democratic movement in Hong Kong - Excellent interpersonal skills - Outgoing - Willing to learn and get in touch with the general public. NO. OF PLACEMENTS 3.

Audrey EU internship flier.

3. Office of Hon Ronny Tong Ka Wah Legislative Council Member

Internship Topic: To study the tasks and works of a Pan Democrat Legco member in a Conservative Political Sphere.

INTERNSHIP DESCRIPTION - To assist in research and district work . SELECTION MODE Open Recruitment. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Willing to contact local residents. NO. OF PLACEMENTS 3.

Ronnie TONG internship flier

Yvonne LEUNG’s Civic Party Internship with Alan Leong Kah-kit

Yvonne LEUNG has stated she was an intern with Alan Leong Kah-kit in 2012, but she wasn’t enrolled at HKU at that time.

What she did during that internship and her continuing relationship with the Civic Party is discussed in later blog posts.

References

¹HKU. Faculty of Social Sciences. Internship Fair. Council Chamber, 8/F, Meng Wah Complex

8 February 2012. See link to flyer.

²National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (Hong Kong) HKU Internship Advert. 2012.

See link to flyer.

³Civic Party HKU Internship Advert. 2012. See link to flyer.