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KINGSPARK NEWS Club Number: 30119 2006-07 Rotary Year : Issue 16 : 18 February | ||
| This
is the biweekly bulletin of the Rotary Club of Kingspark Hong Kong Club Website: http://www.rotary3450.org/kingspark-hongkong | ||
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| Chief
Editor : Francis Wann Club Webmaster : John Wan | ||
| Editorial
(Academic
Freedom ) - By Francis Wann | ||
| District Website | RI Website | RI President | TRF | News Room | Global History Fellowship | ||
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Academic Freedom
It began when words got round that the President of the teaching training institute HKIEd Professor Paul Morris's contract would not be renewed despite the fact that he had the support of the majority of students and staff. Then there were talks in certain quarters that Morris got the sack because he openly rejected the idea of merging with the Chinese University, and has been actively campaigning for the institute's university status. As the story unfolded, we heard allegations against the Secretary for Education and Manpower Authur Li for his interference in the institute's internal affairs which he denied outright. It was followed by claims and counterclaims of alleged attempts by the Government to suppress freedom of speech in an academic institution. Meanwhile the Legislative Council's education panel is still considering whether to establish a select committee to investigate the matter. However yesterday (15 February) the Government went one step further by announcing its official commission of inquiry. It would be hard not to look at it as another calculated political manoeuvre when the chief executive election is only slightly more than a month away. As Tsang said in his statement, academic freedom was the core value of us that must not be eroded, and that these allegations should not be taken lightly. Most people would welcome this enquiry, but it's still too early to tell what such an inquiry would find out, and how justice could be seen to be done. There were inquiries and select committees of various kinds in the past, and almost all would not name the culprits, and hence no parties whatsoever would be made responsible. The Legco select committees are indeed the most powerful statutory bodies within the council's authority to summon anyone including the chief executive, and how members exercise their power would tell us a lot about their own qualities. We've seen almost ten years ago the Legco select committee's inquiry into the operation of the then new Hongkong International Airport, the building problems of public housing units in 2001, the handling of the SARS outbreak by the Government and the Hospital Authority, and the more recent harborfest fiasco. In all these cases, what the public saw was the ostensibly formal proceedings and longwinding reports but little substance. But having said that, it is still of paramount importance that the Legco select committee should do whatever within its means to undertake an independent inquiry into the matter. How they manage to find out the truth should be something of immense interest to everyone… | ||
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From
the Webmaster
Everyone has his or her priorities, long and short term priorities, annual priorities, monthly priorities, daily, hourly, and present and immediate priorities. How does Rotary fit in? Rotary is not one's life or livelihood, Rotary is not part of the biological or genealogical family, Rotary is not a religion at least in the ontological sense, Rotary won't make one rich in the worldly or financial sense, and Rotary probably won't help one in a political election. I recall a Jesuit Father in my school days saying something similiar about religion generally and Sunday Mass in particular. He was alluding to people going to Sunday Mass because it was a convenient way of dusting a cockloft before it got totally forgotten. It does seem that many people would only go to church or would only spend time on their religion when they can find time to do so or when they have nothing more important to do at the time. Or they would pray because they have unfulfilled needs and wants, because they perceive danger for themselves or their families. Does that sound familiar? Has somebody talked to you in similiar terms about Rotary, or when you call him or her up to ask when he or she has not showed up at Rotary meetings for sometime. An average person, a working person, able-bodied and in full control of his finance and mental faculty, can always find time to do the things that must be done, things that are urgent or important. Important to whom? That is the question. In general, a matter is important if its non appearance, demise or destruction would cause discomfort, create pecuniary disadvantage or embarrassment, or generate a security issue. Conversely, something would become urgent if the performance of an action would add wealth, generate feel good factors and create general satisfaction. The human mind as we understand it function best when the person behind the mind is motivated. The question therefore is what makes one tick; and more relevantly, what makes a Rotarian tick. Some of you would recall a story read out in an early regular meeting of the Rotary Club of Kingspark. It begins with a person going home after work when he sees a poor farmer having problems with getting his cart out of a ditch. He drives past him, but then makes a detour to return and help the farmer get his cart back on the dirt road. The farmer is very grateful and tells the gentleman that he is a very kind person and so on. In return, the person tells the farmer that he has done what he did so that he would have a good night sleep. That was a story taken from Paul Harris who was supposedly telling his readers some behaviour code for Rotarians. The New Year has come. The more academic fung shui masters will tell you that this is a fiery pig, as opposed to a golden or metallic pig, so that it would be prudent to be mindful of one's temper and watch out for fire or fiery causes. Nevertheless, the pig or the boar traditionally is brave, thoughtful, fair, polite and considerate. The Pig works hard for his success and certainly knows how to enjoy life. On that happy note, I wish all of you out there a happy, mindful, cheerful and rewarding year ahead, so that by the time you meet the Rat, you would be a lot wiser and more compassionate. | ||
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Views in any article in Kingspark News reflect those of the authors. They are not necessarily the views of the Rotary Club of Kingspark or of District 3450. You are welcome to write to Chief Editor Francis Wann or Club Webmaster John Wan on any topic, particularly in response to articles published in Kingspark News. We would publish all contributions as long as the authors identify themselves, the contents are not offensive or abusive, and would not offend common decency or common sense. You need not be a Rotarian to write to us and you have a choice to withhold your name in the published version. Where the contents make reference to statements or policies of individuals or organizations, we would try to obtain a response from the latter for publication in the same issue if possible. | ||
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Editor : Francis Wann The Board of Directors President
: Patrick Wong | ||
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