Earlier, the Institute for Public Policy Research collaborated with the Joint Institute for Shanghai-Hong Kong Development Studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong to jointly host..."Building Bridges and Roads, Achieving Cross-Border Integration" SeminarThe participants, numbering over 100 from different generations and professional backgrounds, were divided into groups and submitted more than 30 proposals covering areas such as governance reform, senior living, education innovation, industrial upgrading, and cultural creativity.
During the process, participants not only shared their "imaginations" of an ideal society, but also had dedicated exchange sessions to collectively consider how to "realize" the initiatives. The activities fostered communication between various sectors, built consensus frameworks, and finalized concrete plans for the next steps, with the goal of effectively promoting Hong Kong's progress and innovative heritage. For example, some elderly participants discussed with social enterprise leaders that the widespread availability of soft meals was a major pain point for the elderly. Therefore, the social enterprise leaders invited the elderly to serve as "tasting ambassadors" for new products, striving to ensure the products better suited their tastes.
Whether Hong Kong's development achievements over the past few years are satisfactory or not may elicit different conclusions depending on one's perspective and the lens through which they are viewed. However, I believe we will all share a clear consensus: Hong Kong has still failed to effectively break free from the shackles of "debating without making decisions, and making decisions without implementing them." Many ideas exist in society, but without "implementation," they ultimately remain mere castles in the air.As scholars, it is certainly our responsibility to organize proposals, compile reports, and advocate policies, but it is even more important to understand that all these efforts are for the purpose of "realization".To ensure that all ideas are valued, given a chance to be responded to, and even witness the process of suggestions becoming reality, this sustained sense of accomplishment and efficacy is key to the sustainable development of good governance.
At the same time, we cannot rely solely on the government as the "implementer." Instead, we must be adept at connecting resources from different industries and fields, combining resources from commerce, industry, the public, and academia to jointly promote social development.The next chapter of good governance, in my view, is about enabling all Hong Kong citizens to have a sense of ownership and, within our capabilities, transcend geographical, generational, and professional boundaries to strive wholeheartedly for a better life and a better society.Only by daring to break through and collaborate across sectors can Hong Kong write its own next chapter amidst global changes.
In my view, the next chapter of good governance is to enable all Hong Kong citizens to have a sense of ownership and, within our capabilities, transcend geographical, generational, and professional boundaries to do our utmost to achieve a better life and a better society.
