Civil Society Building
for Hong Kong
Background, Aim and Plan of PPWK
Several years ago, concern individuals
formed an informal cross sector focus
group. They met regularly to discuss various
issues relating to long term planning
of our city - including Hong Kong Cultural
Master Plan and the West Kowloon Project.
Member of this informal group includes
Desmond Hui of HKU, Albert Lai, Tang Shuwing,
WK Chan and myself etc. We have since
found much concern from our community;
professionals and experts on the same
subject. In March last year, we were shocked
by disbandment of Cultural Heritage Commission
which in theory was responsible on developing
Cultural Master Plan and monitoring West
Kowloon Project. And six months later,
the Government released the problematic
Invitation For Proposal (IFP.) We have
then expressed and written articles commenting
on these issues, and were amazed by the
non-responsiveness of our Government.
On 11 November, we have rallied nine organizations
from civil society, and cultural sectors
to call for re-examination of the Invitation
For Proposal (IFP) of West Kowloon Project.
The alliance by the name of PPWK (People's
Panel on West Kowloon) is formed. The
advocacy Alliance called for extending
the proposed "5 weeks" consultation
indefinitely, and organizing group of
800 to form a rational and knowledge base
advocacy platform to re-examining the
IFP (released last September):
- with emphasis on legality, governance
and financial issues
- re-examination of cultural and urban
development policies
- public consultation process
It is PPWK's belief that united we gain
a more solid ground for achieving civil
society and developing cultural think
tank for Hong Kong. There is much rumor
around town on discrediting community
voluntary effort. Therefore we have prepared
a questionnaire asking members of 800
to fill in; and the first question is
on declaration of interest. All the PPWK
core members have declared that they have
NO legal involvement on the said project
with the Government and/or the private
developers; therefore as we are inviting
you to join the 800, we are asking you
to do the same.
PPWK's position on West Kowloon Project
is as follow:
- We welcome the Government's interest
and commitment on cultural development
- We welcome developers' involvements
on NGO-NPO civil society building for
Hong Kong. We welcome their commitment
in supporting arts and culture development
for Hong Kong.
- We welcome other NGO-NPO sectors to
work closely with the NGO-NPO cultural
sector on building Hong Kong into Cultural
Hub of Asia.
- We welcome Government's effort on
boldly experimenting tri-sector collaboration
of such important project for Hong Kong,
for this is the base of civil society
development.
However, we are deeply concern:
- Our Government's lack of cultural
vision and capability on achieving their
objectives in building HK into Cultural
Hub of the region. The IFP has clearly
reviewed such short comings. It is also
our concern that Government's lack of
legal structure in over-looking the
development of West Kowloon. This is
the reason much criticisms were put
upon Government-private sector relationship.
- Our private sector - the developers'
capability in achieving the same objectives
in view of such short time frame, especially
when Hong Kong lacks cultural blue print.
- Our community not able to grasp the
total picture because of limited and
sporadic information.
- The tri-sector effort has gone the
wrong way because from past months,
the driver - our Government - has not
demonstrated much effort on citizen's
participation.
PPWK's agenda on achieving civil society
and cultural think tank are to:
- Request the Government to extend the
consultation period indefinitely until
all questions raised by the community
are answered properly and publicly.
- Form an advocacy plan via the formation
of network of 800 via public forum,
seminar, focus group and small group
discussions.
- Form a technical task force composed
of professionals and experts on Culture,
Urban Planning, Finance and Governance
to re-examine and provide alternate
recommendations to the IFP and West
Kowloon Project.
Our Government has asked us to trust
them. We are asking the same question.
Please trust us.
The PPWK desperately need volunteers
and any financial assistance to keep the
movement going. Your support is most appreciated.
Danny Yung
PPWK Convener
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