In response to public concern, the Government is working on a voluntary system to better monitor charitable fund-raising activities. The Social Welfare Department is also conducting a public consultation on a proposed mechanism aimed at encouraging charities to voluntarily comply with a new best-practices guide.

Under the proposed system, a reference guide for charities on best practices for fund-raising activities would be drawn up. The guide will include best practices in the areas of donors' rights, fund-raising practices and accounting/auditing requirements to meet standards of transparency and public accountability.

Charities which voluntarily comply with the guide's provisions may apply to have their names included in a public register that the Social Welfare Department would maintain. The register would also be posted on the department's website.

The department would consider complaints against charities on the register of contravening the guide. When a complaint is substantiated, the department may consider removing that charity's name from the register.

Comments from the charities or the general public on these proposals are welcome. Members of the public may download the consultation paper from the department's website at http://www.info.gov.hk/swd/html_tc/whatsnew/index.html until September 30, 2003.

Hard copies may also be collected from the department at Room 920, 9/F, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai. For enquiries, please call the department at 2832 4376.