Mr Stephen Wong Yuen-shan

Mr Stephen Wong is currently Deputy Executive Director and Head of Public Policy Institute of Our Hong Kong Foundation.

Mr Wong received a B.A. Degree in Economics from the University of Chicago, Phi Beta Kappa, and an M.A. Degree in East Asian Studies (Whitney and Betty MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies) from Yale University.

Besides his membership in the SIE Fund Task Force, Mr Wong also holds various government-appointed public service posts, including Board Member of the Financial Services Development Council; Board Member of the Urban Renewal Authority; Member of the Town Planning Board; Member of the Task Force for the Study on Tenancy Control of Subdivided Units; Member of Investment Committee of the Beat Drugs Fund; Member of Investment Sub-Committee of the Housing Authority; Member of Feasibility Study Working Group of “Special Needs Public Trust”; and Non-official Member of the Assessment Panel of the “Innovation and Technology Fund for Application in Elderly and Rehabilitation Care” of the Social Welfare Department. Previously he also served as Member of Task Force on Land Supply.

Mr Wong is assuming other public duties. He is Chairman of the Clean Air Network; Vice-Chairman of the Admissions, Budgets & Allocations Committee and Member of the Investment Sub-Committee of The Community Chest; and Executive Committee Member of The Hong Kong Council of Social Service and Chairman of its Advisory Committee of Social Enterprise and Innovation Platform. Mr Wong is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Hong Kong University SPACE for the Institute for China Business.
 

"Despite its economic prowess and international status, Hong Kong still faces a number of social challenges, such as an ageing population and income disparity, which might hinder its long-term prosperity. However, the traditional welfare paradigm has yet to respond to these social needs effectively.

Whilst we recognise the importance of social welfare measures in the relief of immediate hardship, the long-term social development of Hong Kong requires something more than a safety net. Innovative business ideas and new service models can bring about extensive social impacts by providing opportunities to those who are overlooked by the current system. We must look beyond the existing boundaries and unleash the latent power in the community.

The Hong Kong government cannot solve every single problem on its own. A sustainable and inclusive growth calls for a close collaboration between the public, private and third sectors. To this end, the SIE Fund could act as a catalyst for social innovation by creating synergy amongst different stakeholders."