Programme - Public Conference - 10th January 2009

Time Contents
9:00 — 9:10
Opening the Dialogue
Mr William Y Yiu, Executive Director, Charities of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
9:10 — 9:30
Take a Deep Breath: This is Important
Bloomberg news anchor, Ms Susan Li will give a dynamic presentation explaining exactly where we are now — the facts on public health and air quality in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta.
9:30 — 9:50
Communicating the Risks
Prof. Tony Hedley — a leading public health researcher at the University of Hong Kong will introduce a new tool - The Hedley Environmental Index, followed by expert comment on risk communication from Dr Quentin Chiotti — of Pollution Probe, Canada. Mr Edwin Lau, Director, Friends of the Earth (HK), will then run a demonstration of the Index.
9:50 — 10:20
Now Exhale: Your Questions Answered
A panel of experts answer your questions. Moderator: Christine Loh, CEO of Civic Exchange. Panellists include:
  • Prof. Alexis Lau — atmosphere scientist, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology
  • Prof. Sarah McGhee — public health economist, University of Hong Kong
  • Dr Aaron Cohen — public health and air pollution expert, Health Effects Institute, USA
  • Prof. Michael DeGolyer — public opinion researcher, Hong Kong Baptist University
  • Mr Antonio da Roza — barrister-at-law and senior research assistant, Faculty of Law, University of Hong Kong
10:20 — 11:00
So what’s working elsewhere?
A look at different policies that have been implemented overseas. What has worked, where, why, and when? What was the impact on public health and what could Hong Kong learn? Moderated by Mike Kilburn, Civic Exchange.
  • Beijing — Prof. Zhu Tong — Professor at Peking University and air quality advisor to the Beijing Olympics
  • Bangkok — Prof. Nuntavarn Vichit-Vadakan — Public health researcher from Thammasat University, Thailand
  • USA — Dr Alan Lloyd, President of the International Council on Clean Transportation — and — Dr Judith Chow, Atmosphere Scientist at the Desert Research Institute in Nevada
  • Europe — Mr Anders Wijkman — Member of the European Parliament
11:00 — 11:10
Solutions to Pollution in the World Café
A brief introduction to the break-out session.
11:10 — 11:45
MORNING TEA
Served in the breakout rooms.
11:45 — 13:00
Solutions to Pollution in the World Café — what could work here?
Delegates and experts will gather in small break-out groups to focus on the solutions for Hong Kong in a relaxed but facilitated café discussion. Select which conversation you’d like to join:
  • How can we Reduce the Health Risks of Air Pollution
  • How can we Reduce the Regional Sources of Air Pollution
  • How can we Address Local Sources of Air Pollution
  • How can we Improve the Dialogue on Air Pollution?
13:00 — 14:00
VEGETARIAN LUNCH
...and more open dialogue!
14:00 — 14:30
Keynote Address: WHO & How:

Internationally respected researchers, Professor Ross Anderson and Dr John Watson give presentations on applying the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines to Hong Kong and the drivers of better air quality in the USA.

Prof. Anderson is based at St George’s, University of London and has been a member of the major WHO committees dealing with health and pollution.

Dr Watson is from the Desert Research Institute in Nevada and well-known for the organization and planning of large-scale multi-year air quality studies in the USA and China.

14:30 — 15:15
Our Air, Our Health, Our Answers
Representatives from the Government and community hear short presentations outlining delegates’ solutions. Representatives include Hon Edward Yau, Secretary for the Environment (Government); Hon Audrey Eu, Chairman, Environmental Affairs Panel (LegCo); Mr Oscar Chow, Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (business community); Prof. Alexis Lau, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (academic community); Prof. TW Wong, Chinese University of Hong Kong (health professionals); Mr Hahn Chu, Friends of the Earth (NGO); and youth representatives.
15:15 — 16:00
The End of the Day... but the dialogue continues
The final session of the day takes a look at where we can go and what we can each do to facilitate change. How can every Hong Kong citizen seek solutions and keep the dialogue open?
 
AFTERNOON TEA & NETWORKING

Programme - Experts Symposium - 9th January 2009

Time Contents
8:30 — 9:00
Registration
9:00 — 9:15
Welcome & Introduction
Moderator: Dr Christine Loh
Special Guest: Mr William Y Yiu, Executive Director, Charities of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Session 1
9:15 — 10:45
The Importance of Protecting Public Health in Framing Air Quality Policy
Moderator: Prof. Tony Hedley
Special Guest Commentators:
  • Download Powerpoint Dr WM Chan: Setting the scene. patterns of respiratory illness in Hong Kong
  • Download Powerpoint Dr CM Wong: Application of studies on health effects of air pollution in Hong Kong
  • Download Powerpoint Prof. Ross Anderson: The WHO synthesis and interpretation of the world-wide evidence to update the advisory on achieving safer air to breathe.
  • Download Powerpoint Dr Aaron Cohen: Where are we now in Asia? Evidence on pollution levels, risks, burden of disease.
  • Download Powerpoint Prof. TW Wong: The Hong Kong situation from a public health viewpoint. the current standards. what is likely to come out of the current review. where is Hong Kong heading?
  • Download Powerpoint Dr John Froines: Latest news on PM2.5 — implications for public health.
  • Download Powerpoint Dr Quentin Chiotti: What is the role of a valid, understandable, transparent system of risk communication in motivating and informing policymakers and the public?
  • Q&A Session and general discussion
10:45 — 11:15
MORNING TEA
Session 2
11:15 — 12:30
Protecting Public Health in AQ Policy — Economics, Politics, and Law
Moderator: Prof. Bill Barron
Special Guest Commentators:
  • Download Powerpoint Dr Terry Barker: What’s the economics of better managing air pollutants from marine sources? Why is an international arrangement for ship emissions desirable?
  • Download Powerpoint Dr Alan Lloyd: California and the story of transport and marine emissions control.
  • Download Powerpoint Dr Judith Chow: The role of systems of monitoring and review as tools to improve policymaking and policy-implementation in California.
  • Download Powerpoint Dr John Watson: The legal and political climate in the USA that drove improvements — any lessons for Hong Kong?
  • Download Powerpoint Mr Antonio da Roza: Review of air pollution laws in Hong Kong.
  • Download PDF Prof. Michael DeGolyer: Hong Kong’s Silent Epidemic: results from the HK Transition Project’s Survey of Public Opinion on Air Pollution and Environment 2008.
  • Q&A Session and general discussion
12:30 — 13:30
LUNCH
Session 3
13:30 — 13:45
From Policy to Action and Review - Making it Happen
Moderator: Dr Christine Loh
Special Guest Commentators:
  • Download Powerpoint Prof. Nuntavarn Vichit-Vadakan: The Bangkok experience — how has Bangkok used public health information in formulating policy for better air quality? Health trends and drivers of success.
  • Download Powerpoint Prof. Zhu Tong: The Beijing Olympics experience — what is needed to make a mega-event produce long lasting benefits for host cities?
  • Dr Hu Tao: Progress in Mainland China — a co-benefits approach to air pollution, climate change, and energy security.
  • Download Powerpoint Dr Allen Zheng: The Guangdong experience — The role of good data collection in improving air quality and public health.
  • Download Powerpoint Mr Anders Wijkman: Overview of European air policy over the last 40-50 years — What policy measures have been most effective and what still needs to be done?
  • Q&A Session and general discussion
14:45 — 16:00
AFTERNOON TEA and SMALL GROUP DISCUSSIONS —
"Making it Happen in Hong Kong"
Session 4
16:00 — 17:00
Reflections and close
Moderator: Dr Christine Loh
  • Reflections from the small group discussions and guest commentators
  • Wrap-up, preview of tomorrow’s event, thanks, and close