ENG-2009 — Page 394

322 | Public Order

During the year, the department conducted 80 corruption prevention studies covering a wide range of areas, including procurement, licensing and inspection systems, public works projects and law enforcement. Priority was accorded to issues of public concern and problems revealed in investigations. Expeditious advice on new policies, laws and procedures was also provided to government departments and public organisations on 529 occasions.

The department also offered free, confidential and tailor-made corruption prevention advisory services on 377 occasions to private organisations requesting assistance. In response to public concern about the proper use of donations made to charities, the ICAC joined hands with the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, the Hong Kong Jockey Club and the Community Chest to host a seminar to raise awareness of good governance and internal controls amongst charitable organisations. A Best Practice Checklist for the Management of Charities and Fund Raising Activities was produced for charitable organisations.

Community Education

The Community Relations Department educates the public against the evils of corruption and enlists their support for anti-corruption work through community- based and sector-oriented programmes as well as the mass media.

The department continued to partner with the business sector to launch integrity programmes. In the wake of the financial crisis, the department hosted a seminar in September for operators of small and medium enterprises during which a best practice checklist was promulgated to help these companies enhance their corruption prevention capabilities. The department gave integrity talks to members of various professional bodies through their continuing development programmes.

In the public sector, the department worked alongside government departments to implement integrity building initiatives through a network of 161 ethics officers from 81 policy bureaux and departments. Two seminars were held in 2009 for ethics officers on staff management and disciplinary action.

In collaboration with the Home Affairs Department, the Hong Kong Housing Society and other professional bodies, the ICAC launched a territory-wide education and publicity programme to promote best practices in

promote best practices in building financial management. A toolkit on building financial management produced by the Corruption Prevention Department was distributed to some 8 000 owners' corporations, and a series of workshops and roving exhibitions was held across the territory.

During the year, a series of initiatives was launched to inculcate positive values in young people and galvanise their support for the anti-corruption cause. Anti- corruption messages were incorporated in school teaching, with an 'ICAC Student Ambassadors' programme launched to tie in with the new senior secondary curriculum. For tertiary students, an extensive integrity training programme was launched, attracting 1 700 participants from Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas.