18 October 2012
Issue 62
18 October 2012
Issue 62
Many ethnic minorities still face significant difficulties in accessing important services in Hong Kong, including education, health, or renting property, due to their race. The EOC Chairperson, Mr. LAM Woon-kwong, recently discussed this topic as a keynote speaker at Christian Action’s Conference on Access to Services for Ethnic Minorities on 13 October 2012. In his remarks, Mr. Lam examined why equal access is a social imperative, and urged the Government to move beyond the bare minimum to lead on this issue. “The government should actively remove barriers, visible and invisible, that prevent a level playing field,” said Mr. Lam.
The EOC has been actively outreaching to various ethnic minority communities to promote awareness of their rights and responsibilities under the anti-discrimination ordinances. Recently, Mr. Lam was a guest on the “Tribong Pinoy” show on the Digital Broadcasting Corporation (DBC) dedicated to the Filipino community in Hong Kong to discuss the EOC’s views on issues faced by ethnic minorities in this city. The EOC has also published various articles on discrimination in magazines and newspapers targeted at the various ethnic minority communities.
Read the Chairperson’s remarks at Christian Action’s Conference
Listen to the EOC Chairperson’s interview on Tribong Pinoy (part 1)
Listen to the EOC Chairperson’s interview on Tribong Pinoy (part 2)
Read the Chairperson’s article on education for ethnic minority children (in English)
Read the Chairperson’s article on education for ethnic minority children (in Chinese)
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On 14 October 2012, the EOC Chairperson, Mr. LAM Woon-kwong, attended “Dream of the Mermaid,” a Cantonese musical produced by the Dark Angel Musical Troupe and a metaphor for issues faced by the transgender community in Hong Kong today. After the play, Mr. Lam participated in the panel discussion on the issue of marriage and other discrimination faced by the transgender community in their daily lives. “The EOC has always supported mutual respect among all people. Members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community are no different from any of us. They have their own talents and their fair share of contribution to the community, so why does society make them struggle so hard for respect and basic rights?” said Mr. Lam at the panel. He added that the EOC will continue to work to advocate for the LGBT community’s right to equal protection under the law.
Link to News Highlights
Details
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An earlier survey conducted by the EOC found that one-third of the respondents showed "avoidance and repellence" towards people living with HIV/AIDS. To address this issue and answer questions human resources practitioners and employers often have when dealing with HIV/AIDS related issues in the workplace, the EO Club organised a seminar to correct the general misunderstandings on HIV/AIDS and encourage a discussion about the practical skills on handling employment issues in relation to HIV/AIDS. The EO Club is the EOC’s initiative for human resources practitioners and employers to equip them to implement equality standards in the workplace. The event was attended by over 70 EO Club Members and featured sharing from Loretta Wong, the then-Chief Executive of AIDS Concern; Charles Ho, Human Resources Director (Greater China) of Levi Strauss Limited, who discussed his company’s best practice on this front; Florence Chan, Senior Training Officer of the EOC, who illustrated how the Disability Discrimination Ordinance (DDO) protects employees living with HIV/AIDS; and a person living with HIV/AIDS who talked about how he overcame stereotypes to live a meaningful life.
To further our message, the EOC will be a supporting organisation of the 2012 Hong Kong Symposium on HIV/AIDS organised by the AIDS Institute of the University of Hong Kong LKS Faculty of Medicine and the Hong Kong AIDS Foundation on 13-14 November 2012.
Listen to the interview of O.C. Lin, the pioneer who helps people living with HIV/AIDS on the RTHK
programme, “Women Pioneers” (in Cantonese)
Read the report on the sharing session
Learn more about the EO Club
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According to a recent survey commissioned by the Organising Committee of the Mental Health Month, one in three people in Hong Kong have mental illness, with middle-aged and unemployed men with low education level being the most vulnerable. On the occasion of Mental Health Month, which runs throughout October, the EOC calls once again for the Government to take proactive action to address the issue and provide more resources to enhance mental wellness in the Hong Kong community, including creating a Mental Health Council. The EOC also appeals to the community to shed its stereotype and stigmatisation of people recovering from mental illness, which are barriers to early intervention and treatment, and support their re-integration into the community.
Read the EOC’s March 2012 Submission to the Legislative Council
Details on Mental Health Month (in Chinese only)
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“Uniquely Me!”, the EOC’s English-language youth development programme, is now open for application for its 2012-13 session. Uniquely Me is the EOC’s initiative to provide opportunities for young people to widen their horizons and gain inspiration. At the upcoming session, which is focused on careers in the media industry and using the media to fight discrimination, we are delighted to have as guest mentors Mr. Peter KAMMERER, Editorial and Opinion Writer with the South China Morning Post, and Ms Noreen MIR, Producer and Presenter at RTHK3.
Date: 10 November 2012
Time: 2:30pm – 5:30pm (Registration opens at 2:00pm)
Venue: Conference Room, EOC, 19/F Cityplaza Three, 14 Taikoo Wan
Rd, Taikoo Shing
Details
Online application
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The Hong Kong Pride Parade 2012 will take place on 10 November 2012 at 3PM. With the theme “Dare to LOVE,” the Parade aims to raise awareness on the promotion of workplace equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) population. Participants of the parade are encouraged to wear outfits that represent different professions as a gesture of supporting an equitable workplace environment for the LGBT community.
A recent documentary, “Different Path, Same Way”, also explores the meaning of marriage and poses the question, “Can two people form a family solely for the sake of love?” The documentary was recently named a special selection at the Chinese Documentary Festival 2012. The first two screenings will be held on 3 and 13 November 2012.
Details on Hong Kong Pride Parade
Details on “Different Path, Same Way”
Stay updated on the EOC's work and positions by referring to our press releases, speeches, media interviews, and calendar training on our website. Also, stay tuned on other equal opportunities issues and community initiatives by visiting our community resources and community events pages for information from our community partners, including publications, survey reports, publicity campaigns, and upcoming conferences.