中文版

  1. The EOC Calls for Objective Reporting and Portrayal of Mental Illness in the Media

A picture of various news reports on mental illness on a camera lens

On 3 December 2012, the EOC denounced a discriminatory headline “癲人出沒”, published in a local newspaper the previous day, depicting persons with mental illness as “crazy lunatics.” The EOC is of the view that the article’s text and images are suspected to be appealing to negative public emotions against persons with mental illness. Under the Disability Discrimination Ordinance (DDO), it is unlawful to discriminate, harass or vilify a person on the ground of the person’s disability. Disability vilification is an activity in public which incites hatred towards, serious contempt for, or severe ridicule of people with a disability. Mr. LAM Woon-kwong, Chairperson of the EOC, said, “The media has a great influence on how and what we perceive as mental illness. Inaccurate depictions and sensational reports about mental illness can fuel stigma and reinforce myths, thus deterring people with mental illness from seeking help and creating obstacles in their recovery.”


Read the press release

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  1. My Wish Upon a Star
    The EOC's YouTube video selected for screening at United Nations Enable Film Festival

Poster on YouTube video titled My Wish upon a Star

The EOC’s YouTube video “My Wish Upon a Star” has been selected by the United Nations Secretariat for screening at the United Nations Enable Film Festival 2012. Each year, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is commemorated on 3 December with a number of events at the UN Headquarters, including the UN Enable Film Festival which features short films on disability issues from various countries around the world. This year, the day’s theme is “Removing barriers to create an inclusive and accessible society for all”. “My Wish Upon a Star” (11’15” in length), is a documentary about discrimination faced by persons with visual impairment and how they have overcome difficulties to lead independent and meaningful lives.


Watch “My Wish Upon a Star” (in Cantonese with English subtitles)
“Barrier-Free Life”: the EOC’s resource webpage on disability issues

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  1. Plea for All Pupils, Including Those with Special Needs, to Learn Together
    The EOC Chairperson calls for more resources for integrated education

Cover of Study on Equal Learning Opportunities for Students with Disabilities under the Integrated Education System

On 3 December 2012, the Chairperson’s article entitled “Plea for all pupils, including those with special needs, to learn together,” was published in the South China Morning Post. The article is a part of his regular contribution every three weeks to the column “On Second Thought” in the City Section of the newspaper. In the article, Mr. Lam made the case for why inclusive education benefits both children with and without disabilities, citing both a previous complaint case involving a pupil with dyslexia as well as the positive example of Kowloon Bay St. John the Baptist Primary School’s inclusive education programme for children with and without hearing impairment. He noted some of the recommendations put forth in the EOC’s recent study on Integrated Education, and urged the Government to address the current lack of support for inclusive education by increasing both manpower and resources to enhance equal learning opportunities for all.


Read the article

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  1. “Disability is Not a Burden” : Every Person is Differently Able
    The EOC Chairperson appeals for equal opportunities for people with disabilities

Leaflet on Learn about Hearing Impairment

“What distinguishes a civilized community from a backward one is the way we treat our under-privileged members, in particular our fellow citizens who have disabilities,” said Mr. LAM Woon-kwong in his remarks at the 24th World Federation of the Deaf Regional Secretariat in Asia/Pacific Representatives Meeting Opening Ceremony, hosted by the Hong Kong Association of the Deaf, on 28 November 2012. In his speech, he reminds the public that “disability is not a burden, and that indeed it can be turned into an asset if we provide the right accommodation so people with disability can conduct their role with equal opportunities.” He urges the government to take action to ensure that people with disability do not continue to get marginalised in society.


Read the speech

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  1. Be an Equal Opportunities Employer
    The EOC Outreaches to Businesses at the World SME Expo 2012

Poster on the World SME Expo

To assist small-to-medium size enterprises (SMEs) to promote equal opportunities in the workplace, the EOC has held an information booth at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s World SME Expo on 6-8 December 2012. In addition, the EOC gave a presentation on “A Key to Win-Win Employment Relationship: An Equal Opportunities Workplace” on 6 December 2012.  Visit us at booth 1E-D08 to learn more about how to encourage a discrimination-free workplace.

Date: 6 to 8 December 2012
Time: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Venue: Booth 1E-D08, Hall 1E, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

 *Free Admission


More information on the SME Expo

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  1. The Women’s Foundation Launches Initiatives to Promote Women in Leadership

Poster on the Women’s Foundation’s Scholarship Scheme

The Women’s Foundation (TWF), in partnership with Bloomberg, has launched a new initiative to promote women in leadership, The Leading Women Speaker Series. Via eight networking and panel events, the Series will celebrate women leaders and examine the opportunities and challenges women face across traditionally male-dominated industries. In addition to technology, which was the subject of the panel’s launch in late November, other industries being considered are Trading, Engineering, Fast Moving Consumer Goods, Asset Management, Luxury Retail, Professional Services and Hospitality.

In addition, TWF will hold an information session on its newly-launched Cambridge Scholarship Scheme on 10 December 2012, from 6.30-8.30pm at the British Council (3 Supreme Court Road, Admiralty, Hong Kong). The scheme aims to send one Hong Kong graduate student to pursue the MPhil in Multi-disciplinary Gender Studies at the University of Cambridge every year starting from Autumn 2013.


More information on the Leading Women Speaker Series
More information on the TWF Cambridge Scholarship Scheme

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Visit our website or download the EOC mobile app (Apple App Store / Google Play) to stay updated on the EOC’s work and positions, and to review our press releases and calendar training. 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.