ACADEMIC INITIATIVES

The leading event of POLISCOPE 2019 – ROUNDTABLE: Democratic Recession Hong Kong and Beyond featured three prominent speakers, including Dr. Simon Shen from HKU, Dr. Brian Fong from EduHK and Dr. Sing Ming from HKUST. In-depth discussions during this inspiring event examined the various political and legal aspects of democratic recession in Hong Kong and beyond, featuring lively debates on patterns and potential consequences of democratic recession.

A GLC Delegation visited the Hong Kong Bar Association and conversed with Mr. Philip Dykes SC, Chairman of the Council of the Hong Kong Bar Association on various issues of constitutional and public concern, including the controversies surrounding the Fugitive Offenders and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation (Amendment) Bill and the future of the rule of law and 'One Country Two Systems' constitutional arrangement in Hong Kong.

An interactive dialogue was organised featuring Professor Alan N. Lai, former Ombudsman and an Adjunct Professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences, exploring multiple dimensions of Administrative Regulation and Access to Information Law in Hong Kong. Various aspects of public administration including how to regulate the quality of governance were discussed in the dialogue.

The forum featured three prominent speakers, namely Ambassador Carmen Cano, Head of the European Union Office to Kong and Macao, Dr. Nicole Scicluna, Honorary Lecturer at the Department of Politics and Public Administration, and Dr. Martin Chung, Assistant Professor at the Department of Government and International Studies, Hong Kong Baptist University. In-depth discussions during this inspiring event examined the various political and legal aspects of the United Kingdom’s prospective exit from the EU as well as Brexit’s impact on the future of European Integration, which were then supplemented by a nuanced debate on the possibility of a second and further referendums and their potential outlook, in the UK.

A GLC delegation visited the Office of the Ombudsman. The Chief Investigation Officer of the Ombudsman's Office, Ms. Karen Cheng, kindly met with the participants and shared with them first-hand information about how the Ombudsman discharges its functions in investigating maladministration. The visit allowed students to acquire an insider’s perspective into the system of administrative oversight of Hong Kong.

A guided tour to the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal Building in Central was co-organised with the Faculty of Law. Participants learned a lot about how the Court functions on a daily basis, as well as the history of the Court building. They also took part in an ad hoc audience with Mr. Justice Andrew Cheung PJ. The former Chief Judge of the High Court was free and kind enough to meet participants briefly, taking questions from the audience about various aspects of judging and the administration of justice in Hong Kong.

GLC organised a Dialogue Sapientia, featuring Professor Peter H. L. Lai JP, formerly Secretary for Security of Hong Kong and Professor Richard Cullen, Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Law, on various dimensions of the Future of Hong Kong. A lively discussion took place on the position of Hong Kong before and after the handover vis-a-vis China, including interactive exchanges on the constitutional arrangement of “One Country Two Systems”.

A GLC delegation conversed with Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs Ms. Cherry Tse JP in order to gain a stronger understanding on how public administration is actually practiced on a daily basis, so as to complement their studies. Participating students and the Permanent Secretary expressed and exchanged their individual views on interesting matters ranging from youth development and policy, social welfare and civic engagement.

An exhibition on the International Law and Denuclearisation was held in partnership with The University of Hong Kong’s Global Lounge. The exhibition was open to the public, and focused on a wide array of issues including relevant international legal norms and their deficiencies, as well as the law and politics underlying Iranian and North Korean denuclearisation.

A public symposium on the Politics of Denuclearisation was held and featured lively and mind-provoking discussions between political scientists Dr. Lami Kim and Mr. Sebastien Fung. In-depth explorations were conducted as to the prospect of denuclearisation in both the Korean Peninsula and Iran, together with a nuanced debate on whether nuclear warfare is possible in the 21st century.

Students joint a visit to the Hong Kong Bar Association and was greeted by Mr. Philip Dykes SC, Chairman of the Council of the Hong Kong Bar Association, who kindly received the GLC Delegation. They exchanged views on various issues of constitutional and public concern, and learned a lot about the prospects of young barristers.

A visit to the Legal Aid Department was organised and Legal Aid Counsel Mr. Patrick Wong kindly received the GLC Delegation. Participating students were able to gain first-hand insight into the challenging work of the Department in promoting the constitutional right to access to justice, without which the rule of law would become nothing but empty talk. He also kindly offered career advice to students interested in a career at the Legal Aid Department.

A visit to the Prosecutions Division of the Department of Justice was organised. Mr. Martin Hui SC, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, kindly and enthusiastically explained to participating students the structure and operations of the Department and the Division, how the criminal justice system operates in practice and the role played by prosecutors in the criminal justice system.

A visit to the Legislative Council Complex was held and participating GLawyers conducted fruitful exchanges with Mr. Kenneth Chen Wei-on SBS, Secretary General of the Legislative Council Secretariat who kindly received the GLC Delegation following a tour around the interiors of the Complex. The Delegation and Mr. Chen exchanged views on various issues of public and constitutional concern.