TNAG-2329-FCO40-3373-Hong-Kong-contacts-with-academics-and-writers-1991 — Page 46

(p)

The Role of Civic Education

The Hong Kong approach in this regard could profit from comparative discussion with educationalists from other parts of the world. In 1985, the Education Department defined the approach, among other points, in the following way: -

"There is widespread agreement among teachers, parents and the public at large that one of the main goals of education is to develop the character of pupils and to foster their capacity for assuming a responsible role in society. It is also generally agreed that in preparing young people for full membership of the adult community, schools have a duty to develop their pupils' understanding of the community in which they live and the forces at work which shape it and which are fundamental to a democratic way of life. There is a special need at this particular time in Hong Kong's social and political development for schools to renew their commitment to the preservation of social order and the promotion of civic awareness and responsibility and guidelines are designed to facilitate this renewal."

"In formulating aims and objectives it is recognised that

the responsibility for developing an overall pattern of civic education does not rest with schools alone. The preservation and strengthening of a democratic way of life will call for the support of many different government and non-government agencies, the media and the public at large. The specific role of the schools, as outlined here, will be to develop in young people the sort of knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary for them to become rational, politically sensitive and responsible citizens who can contribute ggnstructively to the process of political and social change."

In today's Hong Kong, that will be a very important process indeed. It may also have a controversial side to it. A comparative discussion with educationalists from elsewhere in the world could be profitable.

Corruption, Accountability, Ethics, and 1997

1.

2.

I am concerned that it may be necessary for a strategic view to be taken on how the ICAC may find its task made more difficult from 1997 onwards by PRC businesses operating in the territory. This raises four issues,

among others: Corporate structures, jurisdiction and rules, educational programmes, visits and exchanges. These are subjects for a more general dialogue as well.

Corporate Structures:

Let me start with the following propositions from the ICAC: -