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The Financial Secretary has appointed 18 non-official members to the Commission on Poverty ("the Commission"). The commission will:

* study and identify the needs of the poor

* make policy recommendations to alleviate poverty and promote self-reliance

* encourage community engagement; delineate responsibility between the government, social welfare sector and community organisations; foster public-private partnerships and mobilise social capital in alleviating poverty.

The Financial Secretary will chair the commission.

The decision to establish a commission comprising government officials, Legislative Councillors, business people, non-government organisations, experts and academics is an initiative announced in the Chief Executive's 2005 Policy Address. The aim is to provide a forum for different sectors of the community to work together to study and explore practical ways to help the poor in terms of their financial, employment, education and training needs. Special attention will also be paid to reduce inter-generational poverty.

The appointments are for two years. The first meeting of the commission is scheduled to be held some time in February.

Membership of the commission:

Chairman:

Financial Secretary

Members:

Professor K C Chan

Ms Chan Suk-mei, BBS

Professor Stephen Cheung Yan-leung

Dr Philemon Choi Yuen-wan, SBS, JP

Professor Nelson Chow Wing-sun, SBS, JP

Ms Christine Fang Meng-sang, JP

Mr Ian Fok Chun-wan, JP

The Hon Frederick Fung Kin-kee, JP

Dr Law Chi-kwong, JP

Mr Leung Che-cheung, MH

The Hon Li Fung-ying, BBS, JP

Mr Ho Hei-wah, BBS

The Hon Tam Yiu-chung, GBS, JP

The Hon James Tien Pei-chun, GBS, JP

Mr Tik Chi-yuen, JP

Mr Wilfred Wong Ying-wai, JP

Mr Peter Wong Tung-shun, JP

Ms Yu Sau-chu, MH

Secretary for Economic Development and Labour

Secretary for Education and Manpower

Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food

Secretary for Home Affairs

Head, Central Policy Unit

Ends/Thursday, January 27, 2005

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