ENG-2000 — Page 391

PUBLIC ORDER

Integrity On Line, was launched to reinforce a culture of integrity and probity within the Civil Service.

The department also stepped up preventive education services for the construction and banking industries as well as service providers in the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes. Task forces comprising representatives from the commission's three departments were formed to provide timely and quality services for practitioners.

On youth education, the department adopted a fresh approach to instil positive values in young people of different age groups. It launched a youth home page on the Internet and produced a new television animation series for children during the year. A Youth Conference was held in August to facilitate discussion among young people about their role in maintaining a clean and honest society in the new millennium. The conference was attended by more than 700 young people from Hong Kong, the Mainland and Macau.

To tie in with the Legislative Council election in September, the department initiated a comprehensive education and publicity campaign for candidates, election agents, helpers and voters. The campaign also featured a television spot series.

International Co-operation

A two-day conference entitled Turning Challenges into Opportunities — Ethical Leadership Forum 2000 was held in March. More than 1 000 local and overseas business leaders and senior public servants attended, exploring ways to uphold high ethical standards in facing the challenges of the new millennium.

The First ICAC Symposium with the theme New Era New Challenge was held in November, attracting 400 delegates from 35 jurisdictions to discuss practical issues faced by international law enforcement agencies. ICAC officers also participated in a number of overseas conferences during the year.

Cross-boundary Liaison

Liaison with various anti-corruption agencies in the Mainland continued. During the year, the department conducted talks for about 4 300 Mainland officials visiting Hong Kong. In addition, the ICAC Commissioner led a delegation to Beijing in October for the 8th World Conference organised by the Asia Crime Prevention. Foundation.

The Mutual Case Assistance Scheme with the Mainland continued to operate effectively. Investigators visited the Mainland on 148 occasions and assisted investigating officers from the Mainland in making enquiries in Hong Kong on 245

occasions.

Checks and Balances

The operation of the ICAC is subject to a stringent system of checks and balances. Apart from judicial supervision of some of its powers, the commission's work is scrutinised by four advisory committees the Advisory Committee on Corruption, the Operations Review Committee, the Corruption Prevention Advisory Committee and the Citizens Advisory Committee on Community Relations.

An independent ICAC Complaints Committee, which comprises members of the Executive and Legislative Councils and other prominent citizens, monitors the handling of complaints against the ICAC and its officers. The ICAC also has an

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