NDI Youth Program in Hong Kong: NDI Youth Parliament Program with HKBU (2007 to 2014)

As part of their Youth Public Participation Program, the NDI partnered with the Department of Government and International Studies (GIS) at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) to encourage youth participation in public policy areas by organizing a series of Youth Parliaments. This program was launched in September 2007 and ran until 2014¹. This program was organized by Professor Michael DeGolyer at HKBU.

Professor Michael DeGolyer, organizer of the NDI programs at HKBU

The following Youth Parliaments were organized during this program:

2007 – Response to Green Paper Consultation on Constitutional Development

In September 2007, students from across Hong Kong reviewed and responded to the government’s Green Paper Consultation on Constitutional Development.

2008 – Summit on Constitutional Reform, Environmental Regulation and Education Reform

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.

2009 - Climate Change Simulation of the UN Treaty Negotiation

In December 2009, the NDI 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.

One of these partners was the Hong Kong-America Center (HKAC), who in their Highlights of Fulbright/HKAC Special Projects 2009-2010, described their participation in the event as follows:

HK Climate Change Simulation of the UN Treaty Negotiation in Copenhagen, 2009

About 80 students from all eight HK universities participated in a unique educational event in fall 2009 linked to the negotiation process that culminated in the UN Climate Change Treaty in Copenhagen in December. HK Baptist University was our host for three weekend meetings in the Council Chamber.

Each HK university team represented a country delegation, which included representatives from government, business and environmental NGO groups.

Students used parliamentary procedure to negotiate terms for a treaty in November, and participated in a live interactive “webinar” hosted by the Copenhagen Business School on December 19, the day after the real treaty conference concluded. Several other universities in Asia and Europe participated in the HK-Copenhagen webinar.

HK students got a realistic glimpse into the complex dynamics of international treaty negotiation. The HK students appeared to accomplish more in their simulation than the real delegates did in the Copenhagen conference².

2009 NDI, HKBU, HKAC Conference

2010 – Debate on Constitutional Reform

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.

2010 Conference Poster

Text on 2010 Conference Poster

One of these partners was the Hong Kong-America Center (HKAC), who in their Highlights of Fulbright/HKAC Special Projects 2009-2010, described their participation in the event as follows:

Model Legco Debate on Constitution Reform, 2010

Responding to the public consultation on constitutional reform, about 60 HK university students gathered at HKBU in early February to negotiate and vote on recommendations to the HK government for constitutional development.

As part of the process, each student role-played a Legco member to debate from the position of their respective Legco members.

The NDI joined with the HKAC and HKBU Professor Michael DeGolyer, our master of simulation, to organize this program.

This was responsible civic engagement by HK university students at a high level!³

HKAC write up on the conference

Although billed as an event for university students,
some of these participants are clearly school children,
a favored target of NDI programs

The Department of Government and International Studies, HKBU recorded a video as follows: Students participated in a simulation of the Legco debate on constitutional reform in 2010. GIS/NDI/Hong Kong America Centre video of student simulation:

HKBU Video of 2010 NDI, HKBU, HKAC Conference

The video can be accessed here: http://gis.hkbu.edu.hk/programmesa.html

2012 - Youth Summit on the Chief Executive Election

In 2012, the NDI sponsored a youth summit on the chief executive election. Participants role-played the part of candidates, election committee members, media and civil society;

2014 - Workshop and Simulation on Constitutional Reform

In March 2014, the NDI sponsored a two-day student workshop and simulation on constitutional reform with representatives of political parties in Hong Kong and simulation of Legco debate on constitutional reform, held at Kadoorie Farm.

This workshop was described in the HKBU Department of Government and International Studies Comparative Governance and Policy Research Centre (CGPC) Annual Report⁴ for 2011 to 2014 as follows:

"Let's Talk: A Workshop and Simulation on Constitutional Reform," Hong Kong-America Centre, National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, GIS Comparative Policy Centre all university workshop with representatives of political parties in Hong Kong and simulation of Legco debate on constitional reform, held at Kadoorie Farm retreat of Hong Kong University in the New Territories (15-16 March 2014) 48 students and 10 workshop participants/facilitators.

References

¹NDI Programs in Hong Kong. See link: NDI Programs in Hong Kong

²Hong Kong-America Center (HKAC). Highlights of Fulbright/HKAC Special Projects 2009-2010. HK Climate Change Simulation of the UN Treaty Negotiation in Copenhagen, 2009. See link: http://www.hk-ac.org.hk/hkac/hkac-programs/conferences-workshops/2009-2010/

³Hong Kong-America Center (HKAC). Highlights of Fulbright/HKAC Special Projects 2009-2010. Model Legco Debate on Constitution Reform, 2010. See link: http://www.hk-ac.org.hk/hkac/hkac-programs/conferences-workshops/2009-2010/

⁴HKBU Department of Government and International Studies Comparative Governance and Policy Research Centre (CGPC) (Annual Report: 1 July 2011 – 31 March 2014). See link: http://gis.hkbu.edu.hk/files/CGPC%20Centre%20Report%20%202011-2014%20(7%20April%202014).pdf

Video Credit 

Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Government and International Studies. Students participated in a simulation of the Legco debate on constitutional reform in 2010. GIS/NDI/Hong Kong America Centre video of student simulation. Copyright © 2016, Department of Government and International Studies, HKBU.

See video here: http://gis.hkbu.edu.hk/programmesa.html

NDI Youth Program in Hong Kong: Student monitoring of the 2008 Legislative Council Elections in Hong Kong

In a continuation of the election monitoring activities arranged in 2007 by Professor Michael DeGolyer head of the Hong Kong Transition Project (HKTP) at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), in 2008 he arranged for his students to take part in more election monitoring on behalf of the National Democratic Institute (NDI).

Professor Michael DeGolyer of HKTP,
who arranged access for the NDI to students in Hong Kong

NDI 2008 election monitoring activities in Hong Kong

In 2008 the NDI conducted in-depth assessments of the September Legislative Council (LegCo) elections.

To assist in these assessments, they conducted a study with the assistance of the HKTP, who arranged for university student volunteers to shadow six Legislative Council candidates from 31 July through election day on 7 September, to informally observe the campaigns and the polls.

This is how the role of the students was described in NDI Promise of Democratization Report 13¹ on the Legislative Council Elections:

“Appendix II - 2008 Legislative Council Elections Case Studies: Student Observations

NDI would like to thank the Hong Kong Transition Project Director Prof. Michael DeGolyer, Cheung Puiki Research Assistant and the six student volunteers and the individual candidates and their campaign teams for their assistance on this project.

The student volunteers observed the following candidates:

• Tanya Chan, Civic Party, Hong Kong Island;
• Audrey Eu, Civic Party, Hong Kong Island;
• Regina Ip, Independent, Hong Kong Island;
• Alan Leong, Civic Party, Kowloon East;
• Thomas Yu Kwun Wai, Civic Party, Kowloon East;
• Fred Li Wah Ming, Democratic Party, Kowloon East;
• Roy Tam, Independent, Kowloon West. 

NDI, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Transition Project and with the assistance of six student volunteers, conducted an observation of the campaigns of six Legislative Council candidates, focused on qualitative aspects of their campaigns.

The study was conducted to help better understand the role of Hong Kong’s political parties in

supporting candidates during election time, including campaign strategies as well as general campaigning techniques.

Prior to observations, the students were briefed on their role as observers and the need to refrain from participating in any electioneering activities to ensure their neutrality.

The observations took place between 31 July 2008 and 7 September 2008. Students were asked to observe activities of the candidate and their aides, including types of campaign literature distributed, the reaction of passers-by, what other campaigning techniques were employed, and the tactics employed by the opponents.  A de-briefing session was held with interested candidates on September 11, 2008.

One student was only able to complete half of the observations, the rest were conducted by the NDI Hong Kong field staff who were part of the election assessment team”.

Reference

¹The Promise of Democratization in Hong Kong: The 2008 Legislative Council Elections. NDI Hong Kong Report #13. 15 October 2008. See: Promise of Democratization Report 13

NDI Youth Program in Hong Kong: Student monitoring of the 2007 District Council Elections and Legislative Council by-election

To address the low levels of interest and lack of activism by students in Hong Kong, based on their experiences in other countries, in 2007 the National Democratic Institute (NDI) initiated a Youth Public Participation Program in Hong Kong.

One of the ways the NDI got access to students in Hong Kong was by forming partnerships with professors in our local universities and one of their key partners in this was Professor Michael DeGolyer, head of the Hong Kong Transition Project (HKTP) at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), who in 2007 arranged for his students to take part in election monitoring on behalf of the NDI, the first of many events where he would give the NDI access to students.

Professor Michael DeGolyer of HKBU, who
arranged access for the NDI to Hong Kong students

 

NDI 2007 election monitoring activities in Hong Kong

2007 NDI Hong Kong Assessment

In 2007 the NDI conducted in-depth assessments of the November District Council Elections and December Legislative Council by-election.

To assist in these assessments, they conducted a study with the assistance of the HKTP, in which six student volunteers observed the campaigns of five District Councilor candidates (four incumbents and one challenger).

The NDI billed these activities as: “The Campaign – Getting Out the Vote”.

This is how the role of the students was described in NDI Promise of Democratization Report 12¹ on the elections:

2007 District Council Election Case Studies: Student Observations

“The Hong Kong Transition Project recruited six student volunteers who conducted an observation of the campaigns of six District Council candidates, focused on qualitative aspects of their campaigns.

The study was conducted to help better understand the role of Hong Kong’s political parties in supporting candidates during election time, including campaign strategies as well as general campaigning techniques.

Prior to observations, the students were briefed on their role as observers and the need to refrain from participating in any electioneering activities to ensure their neutrality. The observations took place between October 1, 2007 and November 18, 2007.

Students were asked to observe the activities of the candidate and their aides, including types of campaign literature distributed, the reaction of passers-by, what other campaigning techniques are employed, the tactics employed by the opponents.

The student volunteers observed the following six candidates:

·         Tony Chan Independent Incumbent Eastern District,

·         Ken Chow Liberal Party Incumbent Yuen Long District,

·         Gary Fan Democratic Party Incumbent Sai Kung District,

·         Patrick Leung Civic Party Incumbent Eastern District,

·         Jimmy Wong Democratic Party Incumbent Tai Po District,

·         Wendy Wong Civic Party New Candidate Tuen Mun District.

Each student provided a synopsis of their observations by the students. The full reports are being analyzed and will provide qualitative input to a report being prepared by the Hong Kong Transition Project”.

Reference

¹The Promise of Democratization in Hong Kong: The 2007 District Council Elections, Legislative Council By-election, and Prospects for Constitutional Reform. NDI Hong Kong Report #12. December 27, 2007. See: Promise of Democratization Report 12

NDI Youth Programs in Hong Kong

To understand what is happening to youth in Hong Kong today, it is important to know Hong Kong has been the target of a comprehensive program, funded by the US Government, with funds allocated by the US Congress to the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), which are being used by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and others to implement that program.

The NED has spent a fortune in American tax payer’s money on programs in Hong Kong. Details of NED grants to Hong Kong can be found here: NED Grants to Hong Kong

Background

The NED works in all corners of the globe, supporting democracy activists on six continents and in 90 countries. It acts as a conduit to disperse US Government funds for ‘promoting democracy’, allocated by Congress to its four core grantees:

1. The Free Trade Union Institute, representing the labor sector,

2. The Center for International Private Enterprise, representing the business sector,

3. The National Democratic Institute (NDI), representing the Democratic Party,

4. The National Republican Institute (IRI), representing the Republican Party.

Because Hong Kong is a city in China, Hong Kong has been and continues to be a major focus of NED attention, through the activities of the NDI. See details in the following link. NED Activities in Hong Kong

The sent their first NDI survey mission to Hong Kong in March 1997, prior to Hong Kong’s return to Chinese sovereignty in July 1997, to assess the political environment and identify possibilities for NDI programming in the territory. Between 1997 and 2012 thirteen more NDI survey missions visited Hong Kong to further identify opportunities for NDI programming. The findings of these missions were documented in the Promise of Democratization Report series - See details in the following link: NDI Survey Missions to Hong Kong

NDI target youth in their programs

The NDI consider youth as a key component of NDI programs to the extent youth participation is an essential consideration in the design and implementation of NDI programming. It is also important to note, what is happening in Hong Kong is not unique. As early as 2004, the NDI were involved in activities in more than 50 countries to increase the role of young people as civic activists, voters, candidates, political party representatives and elected leaders.

The types of NDI programs and activities with a youth participation focus or component currently include election monitoring, issue advocacy, leadership development, youth parliaments, party youth wings, parliamentary internships, debate clubs, civic forums, voter education and GOTV (Get Out The Vote).

Read more about NDI Youth Programming in the following posts:

NDI Civic Update: Young People, not the problem, part of the solution, 2004 See link: NDI Report on Youth Programming. 2004

NDI Report on Youth, 2007. See link: NDI Report on Youth. 2007

NDI Civic Update on Youth Programming, 2012. See link: NDI Report on Youth Programming. 2012

It should be noted, in the NDI’s eyes, youth includes children, students and young adults and all are fair game when it comes to implementing NDI Youth Participation Programs. Such programs are also important to the NDI, because they allow them to identify future activists and emerging youth leaders.

There was a time when Hong Kong university students weren’t interested in politics or activism

One of the key findings of the 2004 survey mission¹ that the NDI sent to Hong Kong was:

“Many critics still lament the low level of interest and activism by university students

in Hong Kong”

See link to report: NDI 2004 Hong Kong Survey Mission Report

2006 planning meeting involving HKBU-HKTP and HKU-POP

To resolve this and other issues, in February 2006 the NDI held a series of planning meetings in Hong Kong in which Professor Michael DeGolyer of the Hong Kong Transition Project (HKTP) of the Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) and Robert CHUNG Ting-yiu of the University of Hong Kong’s Public Opinion Programme (HKU-POP) were participants².  

Professor Michael DeGolyer of HKBU HKTP

Dr Robert CHUNG Ting-yiu of HKU-POP

2007 NDI Programs in Hong Kong

One of the outcomes of these meetings 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.

See link to report: NDI Programs in Hong Kong

The focus of the next blog posts will show how the NDI implemented their Youth Public Participation Program in Hong Kong in preparation for the US Government funded Occupy Central protests.

References

¹The Promise of Democratization in Hong Kong: The September 12, 2004 Legislative Council Elections. A Pre-election Report. NDI Hong Kong Report #9. August 31, 2004 

²NDI Report. Contesting Campaigns in Hong Kong: A Critical Look at Infrastructure and Practices. July 2006. An NDI Report.

Photo credits

Professor Michael DeGolyer. Hong Kong Transition Project.

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