The Financial Secretary, who chairs the Commission on Poverty, has appointed 18 non-official members for two years. The commission's first meeting is to be held in February.

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 decision to establish a commission made up of Government officials, Legislative Councillors, business people, non-governmental organisations, experts and academics was announced in the Chief Executive's 2005 Policy Address. 

Working together

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. 

"We will begin our work as soon as possible," Financial Secretary Henry Tang said today.

"We hope that through engagement and active participation of the public, we will be able to help those in need to help themselves and to give them the best support we can."

Special attention will also be paid to reduce inter-generational poverty.

Member list       

The members of the commission are:

* Financial Secretary Henry Tang (chairman);

* Prof KC Chan;

* Chan Suk-mei;

* Prof Stephen Cheung;

* Dr Philemon Choi;

* Prof Nelson Chow;

* Christine Fang;

* Ian Fok;

* Frederick Fung;

* Dr Law Chi-kwong;

* Leung Che-cheung;

* Li Fung-ying;

* Ho Hei-wah;

* Tam Yiu-chung;

* James Tien;

* Tik Chi-yuen;

* Wilfred Wong;

* Peter Wong;

* Yu Sau-chu;

* Secretary for Economic Development & Labour;

* Secretary for Education & Manpower;

* Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food;

* Secretary for Home Affairs; and,