NDI Programs in Hong Kong

The NDI sent their first survey mission to Hong Kong in March 1997, prior to Hong Kong’s return to Chinese sovereignty in July 1997, followed by thirteen more NDI survey missions Between 1997 and 2012.

The objective of the first and all future missions was identify possibilities for NDI programming in the territory.

First Survey Mission programs

Following the first survey mission in 1997, the following program options for the NDI were identified

1. Monitoring the Development of an Election Framework.

NDI is now organizing an ongoing program to monitor the development of an election framework for the legislative council elections expected in the first half of 1998, including one or more pre-election missions in the second half of 1997 to assess whether the proposed election framework is consistent with international norms. NDI also expects to organize a seminar that would draw on experiences from other countries. Since the Basic Law provides for additional revisions of the election framework for future elections, this issue will continue to be important in the future. A program that monitors the development of an election framework will also help inform the strategy of pro-democracy activists with respect to election issues.

2. Working with Local Elected Officials.

Working with existing democratic political organizations, NDI could also convene one or more workshops with elected District Board representatives in an effort to improve their political organizations and organizing skills. Such programs could help local officials to better address the concerns of their constituencies and to more effectively monitor the impact of government policy on their constituents. As local elected officials and political organizations gain political sophistication and confidence, they become more effective at developing and articulating policies that empower the public and provide alternative, democratic centers of political power¹.

First Survey Mission programs

2006 planning meeting involving HKU-POP and HKBU-HKTP

In February 2006, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) sent an assessment mission to Hong Kong.  The mission comprised George Rakis, Political Director of the Democratic Governors’ Association; Tom Bonier, National Committee for an Effective Congress client liaison and Christine Chung, NDI China Country Director.

Amongst others, the mission met with Professor Michael DeGolyer of the Hong Kong Transition Project of the Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU-HKTP) and Robert CHUNG Ting-yiu of the University of Hong Kong’s Public Opinion Programme (HKU-POP).

Professor Michael DeGolyer

Dr Robert CHUNG

The findings of this mission were documented in the NDI report: Contesting Campaigns in Hong Kong: A Critical Look at Infrastructure and Practices², which was written by Belinda Winterbourne, NDI Program Officer in Hong Kong.

The report was intended to both inform NDI’s ongoing training programs of party members as well as to serve as a resource material for Hong Kong parties as they undertake their own strategic planning.

Programs in Hong Kong from 2007

The outcome of the 2006 planning meeting was that in 2007 the NDI consolidated their activities and focused on four complementary programs in Hong Kong:

1. 'The Promise of Democratization in Hong Kong' report series,

2. Public Opinion Polls,

3. Youth Public Participation,

4. Women's Political Participation.

These are details of these programs as recorded on the NDI’s Hong Kong web-page:

'The Promise of Democratization in Hong Kong' Report Series

Between 1997 and 2011, NDI conducted a series of missions to Hong Kong to consider the development of Hong Kong’s election framework, the status of autonomy, rule of law and civil liberties, and the prospects for and challenges to democratization.  NDI has published an ongoing series based on these assessments called The Promise of Democratization in Hong Kong.  The series is shared with media, government and international nongovernmental organizations to raise awareness of Hong Kong’s democratic progress.

Public Opinion Polls

NDI has worked with partners at Hong Kong think tanks and academic institutions to support public opinion polls, which have asked questions about public attitudes toward electoral reform, Hong Kong’s political parties and governance. One recent report from the Hong Kong Transition Project at Baptist University is based on polling in the lead up to the September 2012 LegCo election.  That report covered public perceptions of the political parties and their platforms. Polling and reports are typically presented to local media during a press conference and private presentations are available to all political parties.

Youth Public Participation

NDI has worked with the International Studies Department at Baptist University to encourage youth participation in public policy areas. The Institute launched a youth program in September 2007, where students from across Hong Kong reviewed and responded to the government’s Green Paper Consultation on Constitutional Development. In November 2008, NDI partners organized a summit for students from eight Hong Kong universities.  The students worked in campaign teams to devise campaign strategies and materials, and took part in a set of mock debates around the issues of constitutional reform, environmental regulation and education reform. In December 2009, the Institute and its partners organized a climate change simulation with eight teams of students each playing the role of a major country, negotiating their own version of the United Nations (UN) treaty on climate change.

In February 2010, local NDI partners organized a nonpartisan public debate on constitutional reform in a Model UN format. After this exercise, the students reflected on their own views to draft a consensual document representing their ideas and aspirations for constitutional reform. Students learned parliamentary process and negotiating skills by coming to consensus.  The students’ proposal was submitted to the government as part of the public consultation process. In 2012, NDI sponsored a youth summit on the chief executive election. Participants role-played the part of candidates, election committee members, media and civil society.

Women's Political Participation

In 2007, the Institute launched a women’s political participation program that worked with local civil society partners to enhance women’s participation in policy-making, encourage increased participation in politics and ensure that women’s issues are taken into account in the policy-making process. Subsequently, NDI local partners have conducted outreach to LegCo members to raise awareness of the challenges predominantly female caregivers face in Hong Kong, such as childcare and professional training opportunities.  Campaigns have also engaged with LegCo members on possible changes to Hong Kong’s comprehensive social security assistance scheme and introduction of a minimum wage.

NDI is also working with local civil society partners to carry out the “Young Leaders for Women’s Education and Empowerment Program.”  The program is designed to provide leadership skills and empowerment for a handful of young leaders from Hong Kong and mainland China.  Each participant has received a small grant for a project in her home community.  The program provides skills building for the participants and mentoring for project implementation over several months.  The program seeks to foster a network of leaders from both Hong Kong and mainland China working for women’s empowerment and civic participation³.

NDI Hong Kong webpage - Where we work in Asia

NDI Hong Kong Programs overview 1

NDI Hong Kong Programs overview 2 (continued from 1 above)

References

¹The promise of democratization in Hong Kong. Survey Report. NDI Pre-election report. NDI Hong Kong Report #1. June 10, 1997. See link: First NDI HK Survey report

²NDI report: Contesting Campaigns in Hong Kong: A Critical Look at Infrastructure and Practices. July 2006. See link: Contesting Campaigns report

³NDI. Where We Work - Asia – Hong Kong. See link: NDI Programs in Hong Kong

Photo credits

Professor Michael DeGolyer. Hong Kong Transition Project. Link: Michael DeGolyer photograph

Dr. Robert CHUNG Ting-yiu (鍾庭耀). HKU Scholars Hub. Link: Robert CHUNG photograph