Civic Exchange

Civic Exchange

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Formation	September 2000
Type	Public policy think tank
Location	Central, Hong Kong
CEO	Christine Loh Kung-wai
Website	www.civic-exchange.org

Civic Exchange (simplified Chinese: 思汇政策研究所; traditional Chinese: 思匯政策研究所) is a Hong Kong based, non-partisan public policy think tank and registered charity group. It was founded by former Legislative Council of Hong Kong member Christine Loh Kung-wai (陸恭蕙), and environmental researcher Lisa Hopkinson (何麗莎).

Civic Exchange states itself as “Hong Kong’s Independent think tank” and applies the organizational concept of creating a think tank that can add intellectual capital to Hong Kong society using a cooperative structure. Much of the group’s work is to think about public policies and how to help the Hong Kong public make sense of complex issues and find better solutions to challenges and problems. The organization’s projects generally fall into three main fields: Civic Participation and Social Development, Environment and Conservation, Integration of Economic Analysis.

Mission

Civic Exchange's stated mission is to:

• Promote civic education amongst members of the community and for such purpose to conduct research and publicise the results so as to provide objective and balanced information to the public concerning economic, social and environmental issues.

• Undertake research on development of economic, social and political policies and practices to help shape the breadth and depth of public policy debate and so to provide well-founded and reasoned argument on the issues identified above.

Organization

Civic Exchange is a co-operative social enterprise set to meet social needs. It seeks to provide a space for individual abilities to co-operate in decision-making.

Who Civic Exchange works with

• Government departments, bureaus and legislative bodies
• Educational institutions, schools and the academic communities
• Local and international businesses and chambers of commerce
• Local and international civic organizations such as green groups, social service providers and local research institutes
• World governing organizations such as the United Nations and the OECD
• Professionals such as lawyers, town planners and facilitators
• Members of the community from all sectors of society
• Interns and graduate students from all over the world
• Philanthropic individuals and organizations

Areas of Focus

Civic Participation and Social Development

Civic Exchange has consistently been involved in research concerning Hong Kong’s constitutional development according to the Basic Law. Many of its publications pertaining to Hong Kong politics encourage civic participation and incorporate the public into the discussion about Hong Kong’s political future. One prior focus of the organization has been on the concept of functional constituencies. Civic Exchange’s 2006 Functional Constituencies: A Unique Feature of the Hong Kong Legislative Council is a pioneering piece that is one of the first books to provide original research and critique about functional constituencies.

In addition to its academic findings, Civic Exchange complements its papers with public opinion surveys. This information is used to better support recommendations on specific issues and is often in cooperation with Hong Kong Baptist University’s Hong Kong Transition Project. Another dimension to engage the general public is Civic Exchange’s Sustainability Tools. These tools are designed to help the general public learn such skills as how to bridge the communication gap between civil society and government, send clear messages, actively listen to others, and organize successful meetings. The goal is to achieve better mutual understanding and lay the foundation for consensus-building, conflict resolution, and problem-solving in public affairs.

Dialogue and conflict transformation skills

The aim of the project is to research the method of using dialogue and conflict transformation skills to explore the major social issues. This project is working collaborately with the mainland academic and policy scholars.

Corporate social responsibility

Civic Exchange has paid attention to this responsibility. It publishes regularly on Hong Kong's legislation and constitutional reforms. The publications are often supported with relevant surveys from the public.

Examples of the work done by Civic Exchange to encourage civic participation

"The User's guide to the Town planning Process: How the public can participate in the Hong Kong Planning System" is an example showing how Civic Exchange strives to get public involved in the public policies. This is a handbook helping members of the public and non-governmental organizations to understand the town planning process better and to take part in it more effectively.

Civic Exchange has taken note that the stakeholders of society have been more interested in the town planning. To cite an example, the Urban Redevelopment of Wan Chai aroused the echoes from different spectrum of society.

In the light of this, the HKSAR government has passed the Town Planning Ordinance and new arrangements have come into effect in June 2005. Still, the existing arrangement is not outreach enough to the citizen. Civic Exchange, thus, publishes this handbook to increase the transparency of the existing system to the public.

The handbook introduces the planning system, how it works, the government’s role and most importantly, the public application to change a plan. Citizen can take part in the public consultation through 18 District Councils. The citizen can approach to district councilors to enquire the timing and agenda of the relevant meeting. They can also make verbal and written submissions through consultation forums. Recent examples of the consultation forums include the future development of old Kai Tak Airport and Wan Chai waterfront.

Environment and Conservation

Civic Exchange works closely with both local and international scientists and experts to provide the latest data about such environmental issues as air pollution, energy, climate change, water pollution, and urban planning. In each of these respective topics, the think tank focuses mainly on the specific impacts on Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta region. Among the notable, groundbreaking research is the Hedley Environmental Index , which, in 2008, was the first website in the world to quantify the monetary and public health costs of air pollution.

Air pollution

Civic exchange has conducted several researches on air quality in the Pearl River Delta and Hong Kong. Based on the results, they have organised a series of gatherings related to energy use, climate change and air quality management policies in the region.

Hong Kong and Pearl River Delta pilot air monitoring project

Civic Exchange, as the project manager, worked with science teams, local governments and industries to set up an air quality monitoring network in Pearl River Delta, collecting air samples between September 2002 and June 2003.

Their findings were published in November 2004. The report, which contains distributions and sources of pollutants, serves as reference for policy-makers to revise air management policy.

Civic Exchange pursued their study on Hong Kong's air pollution problem based on the findings. The study identified a new policy direction named “low hanging fruit”. The main idea of this strategy is using cleaner fuels.

Other reports on air pollution issues

• Air Quality Management Issues in the Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta Region

In this report, Civic Exchange urges the government to increase the transparency of the measures against air pollution, including the progress of Joint Regional Management Plan.

In the medium term, the report is in support of building a cross-border cooperation, be it a regional energy plan for clean energy production or a cross-border capacity to enable middle and top management of both governments to improve understanding of air pollution problems and devise effective solutions.

• Energy supply and fuel supply in Guangdong: Impact on Air Quality in Hong Kong and Guangdong

Christine Loh explains the air pollution caused by energy use in Guangdong from the economic point of view, which is know as external cost. External costs are those actually incurred on public health, crop yield, damages to environment and ecosystem, and climatic change, but not calculated in the production cost. Therefore, external costs seldom factor into the production decision. If the external cost is incorporated into the actual production cost, the business and public would better understand the full cost of policy decisions, thereby focusing more on energy efficiency and conservation and investment in teachnologies that have lower external cost.

This report points out that local commentators have suggested an energy tax levied on power users so as to implement a "polluter pays principle".

• Air pollution Evaluating the Economic costs of visibility impairment

The report provides a review of the potential economic impacts of visibility impairment, and to identify how this issue has been addressed internationally, with a view to identify its implication for Hong Kong.

It is based upon a combination of direct contact (including personal communication and/or email with individual country environmental agencies) and detailed desk studies.

The report provides the public with a detailed economic value of visibility to evaluate the impact of air pollution further. The economic value of visibility becomes explicit in the loss of tourism, falling house value due to the impaired visibility and the resulting knock-on effects impacting the local economy such as the reduced investment in affected areas.

• Air pollution: cost and paths to a solution

The report proposes the lessening of pollutants from transport system and of fumes released by power generators. It suggests that exposure to air pollution can be reduced by exertion of more government interference in local and regional transportation. For example, HKSAR government can expand the mass transit railway to areas plagued by traffic congestion and raise the vehicle registration fee. The report also urges the use of liquid natural gas and the cooperation between power plants in HK and Guangdong to reduce pollutants from power generators.

Civic Exchange criticised the recent policy address of the Chief Executive in that the government fails to provide a comprehensive air management plan. Civic Exchange recommended an air management plan on four fronts for Donald Tsang:

• Sharpen Policy Tools, including setting a new energy policy and tightening air quality objectives
• Take comprehensive approach to reduce air pollution both locally and regionally
• Play a pro-active role to facilitate industries to reduce emissions
• Join national and international efforts including China national team and Large Cities Climate Leadership Group

City development

Vision Project: MTR Extension to the South and West of Hong Kong Island

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The cover of the leaftlet Aberdeen, Ap Lei Chau and Wong Chuk Hang:Hong Kong's Southern Delight

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The 5 stations of the proposed MTRC's West and South Island Lines

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The cover of the leaflet Sai Ying Pun and Kennedy Town: Hong Kong's living Cultural Districts

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The 3 stations of the proposed MTRC's West Island Line in Sai Ying Pun, University and Kennedy Town

Concerning the MTR extension to the south and west of Hong Kong Island, Civic Exchange launched a Vision Project to promote sustainable development in the areas.

A team of experts including urban planners, architects and academics explored the area. Civic Exchange then published three brochures, documenting the unique features of each area, to discuss how to develop these areas in a sustainable way while preserving the distinguished local heritages.

Then they held seven public exhibitions in the areas to gather local ideas from the relevant neighbourhood to encourage grassroot participation in urban planning. A website[5] was set up to disseminate the information of the project. But later the website was closed down and people have to get to their office to attain the brochures.

Central Harbourfront Development

Concerning the Central Harbourfront development, Civic Exchange has been working for an alternative plan. Its January 2006 project named Central Park urges for more green areas for the city. Christine Loh emphasised on the world trend of creating more greenery in the city, and yet Hong Kong is against it. She also considered that the Government's plan is providing more highways and roads, which will leave with low quality open spaces.

• Central Park picture 1
• Central Park picture 2
• Central Park picture 3

Christine Loh's comment on the new government office in Tamar site

Hong Kong Government propose to build a large government complex at Tamar site, including a separate space for the Legislative Council. Christine Loh retorted that the plan cannot be justified. The government can expand the existing Central Government Offices. She argued that there are advantages to a distributed location and risks in a highly concentrated one. On the one hand, there is strategic risk with a single location of government office when there is outbreak of epidemic, natural calamities and even terrorist attack. On the other hand, with its low density and proximity to the Botanical Garden, Central Government Office has the potential to become a local icon provided that there is more efficient use of the land with the refurbishment and expansion.

Comments on West Kowloon

Civic Exchange criticized the West Kowloon project, the proposed West Kowloon Cultural District, for being a disguised property project. Property developers claimed that the West Kowloon project aimed at promoting the artistic development in Hong Kong. In effect, the developer used the excuse of financing the project to turn West Kowloon into a new profitable residential and commercial land.

The development is public asset but there is no transparency as to the financial dealings. Such financial arrangements as land premiums (the money developer would pay the government for the land), profit sharing on the development's earning with government and royalties were not disclosed to the public. Besides, An "other specified uses zoning" , meaning no or little planning control, is allowed to the land developers, which was unprecedented. And the public consultation was shortened from the scheduled six months to six weeks. The public consultation swayed from the structure of the development to the designs.

The recommendations Civic Exchange gave the public:

• Civic groups can revise the arrangement of "other specified uses zoning" and help citizens to understand their right to be informed about the financial arrangements of the public project.
• The public can call for the capping profits of the private developer on the West Kowloon project.
• The public can call for the release of the financial arrangements and the audited accounts.
• The government should use the proceeds to finance back the cultural activities.

Integration of Economic Analysis

Civic Exchange researches on how public policy issues affect the economy of Hong Kong. Data collected in the researches are distributed in papers, booklets, pamphlets or leaflets, and used in conducting courses or seminars in educational institutions. There are two main on-going projects:

Research on functional constituencies

A study of the economic impacts of the functional constituency election system. It also looks at historical aspects including land policy and taxation under the colonial rule, and analyzes how such issues affect the postcolonial governing formula and the setting of HKSAR economic policies under the Basic Law.

Population and demographic research

A study of the economic impacts of the demographic changes in Hong Kong. It covers issues like the changes in Hong Kong's population dynamics, and their implication for public health, international competitiveness and sustainable transport and urban development strategies.

Other Projects

Internship Programme

In order to encourage young people to think and work on public policy, Civic Exchange has set up Student Internship Programme for undergraduates and postgraduates. The programme aims to expand college students' knowledge about public policy, and provide them an opportunity to practise in research projects. Finished works will be published on Civic Exchange's official website.

Through participating in such programmes, the interns can develop their interests and potentials in researching and proposing public policy.

Attractions of the internship programme include:

• it is tailored for individual participants;
• interns are given opportunities to publish their works;
• the programme encourages interaction between interns from different countries; and
• interns can have a taste of participating in civic events.

Apart from this program, Civic Exchange also welcome individuals with various expertise to participate in their work as volunteers.

Talks and Seminars

Civic Exchange has held frequent seminars, talks, workshops and public discussion forums on environmental and political topics. Past speakers have been politicians, scholars and businessmen, including Jan O. Karlsson, Amory Lovins, Baroness Scotland of Asthal, Peter Hain, Sam Brownback, Daniel Brennan and Chris Patten.

Funding

Civic Exchange is funded by public donations. The main sources are Hong Kong Government, local and international business firms, international NGOs, local foundations and individual doners.

Below listed some of the prominent organization funders in the past years:

• Hong Kong Government

NGOs and charity funds

• National Democratic Institute for International Affairs
• National Endowment for Democracy
• The Nature Conservancy
• WWF Hong Kong
• Marine Aquarium Council Inc.
• The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust
• Sun Hung Kai Properties Charitable Fund Limited

Corporate

• Exxon Mobil (HK) Ltd.
• HSBC
• Hutchison Whampoa
• MTR Corporation Limited
• China Light and Power Group
• Swire Group
• PCCW Ltd.
• Manulife
• Pricewaterhouse Coopers

Civic Express

Civic Express (simplified Chinese: 博汇; traditional Chinese: 博匯) is a bilingual blogazine launched in June 2005 by Civic Exchange. It runs under public donations.

Until October 2006, there are 12 regular contributors to this blogazine, including Cyd Ho, Zandra Mok (莫宜端), Rikkie Yeung (楊區麗潔), Charles Mok (莫乃光), Sam Ng (吳志森) and Christine Loh herself.

It is said that Civic Express was set up as a new media channel for discussion on public affairs. Unlike most of the other weblogs, however, the blogazine has no replying or commenting functions. Readers can hardly give feedback or express their thought through this channel.

In Civic Exchange Annual Report 2005, it is said that this new platform has attracted more than 25,000 visitors each month.

Publications

• Getting Heard: A Handbook for Hong Kong Citizens (讓民意聲音響起來), the first book of Civic Exchange, published in 2002 as a guide to help citizens participate in public affairs.

• Building Democracy: Creating Good Government for Hong Kong (創建民主:締造一個優良的香港特區政府), a collection of essays discussing important political concepts and issues, including the Basic Law and democracy, political paties and the reform of the political sysyem, democrazy and voting system, Hong Kong media and society.

• At the Epicentre: Hong Kong and the SARS Outbreak published in January 2004, provides the whole picture of the SARS period in Hong Kong, exploring both the economic consequences and long-term political implications for Hong Kong, China and the international community.

• The Rise of Hong Kong Politics: The View through political cartoons 1984-2005 (從政治漫畫分析香港政治的興起), written by Carine Lai and published in March 2005, includes more than 160 selected political cartoons which give the history of political cartoons over the past two decades.

• Functional Constituencies: A Unique Feature of the Hong Kong Legislative Council, published in June 2005, provides detailed information on the relevant law of functional constituencies and their place in Basic Law. It also examined the impact of functional constituencies members on the society.

External links

• Civic Express: Hong Kong's Blogazine
• Civic Exchange's Channel on FORA.tv
• Template:PDF by Christine Loh
• A review to the book Getting Heard