Invitation to Join a Workshop on Deliberative DemocracyBack

The Public Opinion Programme at the University of Hong Kong and the Center for Deliberative Democracy at the Stanford University will hold a Workshop on "Deliberative Democracy, Public Consultation and Media" (Part II), from Dec 2-5, Friday to Monday, at the Grand Lapa Hotel in Macau. We would like to invite your organization to send one representative at the rank of news editor or above to join the workshop, food and accommodation expenses will all be covered but registration will be handled on a first-come-first-serve basis.

The workshop will address how public consultation is currently conducted and reported around the world. Speakers include Prof James FISHKIN, the pioneer in Deliberative Polling (DP), Mr Daniel WERNER, Executive Producer of Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in USA, Prof Baogang HE of Deakin University, Australia, and scholars from Japan and Poland. There will be ample opportunity for participants to speak directly with the speakers, at various panel sessions.

The highlight of the workshop will be the chance to observe and report the DP on the revision of the "Press Law" and "Audio-Visual Broadcasting Act", conducted by ERS e-Research & Solutions and commissioned by the Macau SAR Government, on Dec 4. This is a significant event because it is the first DP conducted in the region of Hong Kong and Macau, also the government will consider to amend the two laws based on the result of this poll.

If you intend to send a representative to the Workshop, please contact Ms Winnie LEE of HKU POP at 3921-2721 or [email protected] for registration or enquiry on or before Dec 1, 2011 (Thursday). Food and accommodation will be provided free, but seats are limited and will be reserved on a first-come-first-served basis.

Besides, if you intend to send reporters to cover the DP to be held in Macau on Dec 4, 2011, please also inform Ms LEE on or before Dec 1, 2011 (Thursday), so reception arrangements can be made. Travel expenses will be covered by ERS e-Research & Solutions.