The Fourth Report

Foreword

The Constitutional Development Task Force (the Task Force) commissioned the Central Policy Unit and the Home Affairs Department to organize six seminars and six group discussion forums. These seminars and forums were to consult widely the public on changes that may be made to the methods for selecting the Chief Executive in 2007 and for forming the Legislative Council in 2008 as set out in the Third Report of the Task Force. A total of 873 participants from different sectors of the community attended these discussions ^{Note 1}. Details are shown in the Table.

Format of Discussions

2. In order to allow for more in-depth discussion and exchange of views, participants were divided into groups of around 20 each. Discussions were conducted in these small groups and were led by facilitators ^{Note 2} who were community personalities or academics invited by the Task Force to help out on a voluntary basis. During the discussions, note-takers would record the views expressed, without attribution, on flipcharts so that participants could refer to those views in the first instance.

Report on main points discussed

3. At the end of the group discussions, the facilitators would go through the flipcharts with their group members to confirm that the recorded views were the main points discussed. With respect to the constitutional development seminars and the focus group discussion for young people, the facilitators reported on the main points discussed at the plenary sessions in the presence of all participants.

4. In view of the limited time available, the facilitators might not be able to report all the views expressed in the group discussion. Participants were, therefore, encouraged to send in supplementary views or proposals in writing to the Task Force after the discussion.

5. Further, to enhance the transparency of the process, the Task Force made arrangements to open to the media the reporting sessions of the two constitutional development seminars organized by the Central Policy Unit, the focus group discussion for young people, and the four regional forums organized by the Home Affairs Department.

6. The main points discussed at all seminars and forums have been uploaded onto the Constitutional Development Website for public information.

Table: Number of Participants at Constitutional Development Seminars and Discussion Groups