The EOC is currently reviewing all of the discrimination laws in Hong Kong to consider how they can be improved to better prevent discrimination and promote equality for everyone. The three-month public consultation period of the Discrimination Law Review (DLR) is originally due to expire on 7 October 2014. Due to the intense interest of the public and a number of organizations that need more time to prepare their feedback, the EOC decides to receive written submissions on the DLR up to the end of October 2014. The review covers a broad variety of issues, including whether there should be a duty to provide accommodations for people with disability and whether government functions should be covered under the Race Discrimination Ordinance. We invite you to provide your views and let your voices be heard in this important process that aims to strengthen and modernise the four anti-discrimination ordinances and ensure equal protection for all. To obtain more details or submit your views online, please click on the link below. Further information is available in Chinese, English, and six ethnic minority languages, as well as in audio and Braille versions.

Read about the DLR in the latest EOC Journal
The Discrimination Law Review website

Members of the EOC met on 18 September 2014 at the 107th EOC Meeting and discussed various matters related to the Commission’s business. The Chairperson of the EOC, Dr. York CHOW, reported on the major work items that the Commission will embark on before the end of this year, namely organising the 2014 EOC Forum to further enhance the Commission’s transparency and setting up a dedicated Multi-ethnic Task Force to promote racial integration and advocating equal opportunities for ethnic minorities (EM). Tentatively scheduled for 13 November, the 2014 Forum will be held at the Shek Mun Campus of the Hong Kong Baptist University in Shatin, with the aim of engaging the public in constructive dialogue and enlisting support on the EOC’s future work plans. In addition to providing a brief report on the EOC’s major work achievements, the upcoming public forum would focus on presenting the progress of the EOC’s three major work priorities, which included: (i) learning Chinese as a second language by EM students; (ii) Integrated Education for students with special educational needs (SEN); and (iii) the EOC’s work on age discrimination in employment.

Meanwhile, the EOC is setting up a Multi-ethnic Task Force to enhance its work in the areas of public education, training, community outreach and liaison with schools, stakeholders, employers and service organisations, in order to strengthen support in addressing the education and employment needs of EMs as well as to foster social integration. The new Task Force will also monitor the Government’s policy on the EMs and its effects, especially in education and employment. The relevant staff recruitment exercise is underway.

Read the press release
Read about the EOC’s latest activities in the EOC Blog

The Hong Kong Institute of Education is organising a symposium on “Education for Equality: Challenges and Strategies.” This one-day symposium aims to gather practitioners and academics together to discuss and share insights on issues related to education for equality. Topics will include reviewing the current landscape of gender, sexual, ethnic, disabilities and class equalities/inequalities in Hong Kong, especially in school settings; issues, challenges, and strategies for promoting equality at schools; and the role of the Equal Opportunities Commission in the promotion of equality in Hong Kong’s school system. In addition to academics and practitioners, schools principals, teachers, officials from the Education Bureau, and non-government organizations concerned are also invited to attend this symposium. It will also be open to media and members of the public. To reaffirm its commitment to upholding the equal education opportunities for ethnic minority students and those with special educational needs, the EOC will play an active part in the symposium, with the EOC Chairperson, Dr. York CHOW, and other representatives acting as speakers at the event.

Date:	Friday, 3 October 2014
Time:	9:30am-5:30pm
Venue:	Council Chamber, 4/F, Block A, The Hong Kong Institute of Education
Language:	Cantonese

Details and registration

The EOC has commissioned the Gender Research Centre (GRC) of the Hong Kong Institute of Asia Pacific Studies at The Chinese University of Hong Kong to conduct the “Feasibility Study on Legislating against Discrimination on the Grounds of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status”, with the aim of systematically identifying the extent and forms of discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people (LGBTI) in Hong Kong. Mixed research methods are employed in the study, including focus groups and online collection of LGBTI discrimination cases and public views. The deadline for the recruitment of participants for the public focus groups is 15 October 2014, while the deadline for online submission of LGBTI discrimination cases and public opinions on this issue is 30 November 2014. Please see the website below for more information.

Detailed information on the study

In order to widen understanding of everyone’s rights under the Disability Discrimination Ordinance (DDO), as well as to heighten awareness about breast cancer among the ethnic minority community who may face language barriers to health information and services, the EOC is collaborating with the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation to organise a workshop for the Indonesian community. The workshop will cover a talk on the provisions of the DDO as well as steps for preventing breast cancer.

Date:	Sunday, 5 October 2014
Time:	10:00am-1:00pm
Venue:	Education Hall, Breast Health Centre, 21/F Jupiter Tower, 9 Jupiter Street, North Point, Hong Kong
Language:	English with interpretation to Bahasa Indonesia

If you are interested in organising a similar workshop for other communities or for your organisation, please contact us at 2106 2106.

More about the DDO
More about the HK Breast Cancer Foundation

The South China Morning Post is organising, for the second year, a leadership conference designed to inspire, inform and instruct current women leaders. This conference is structured to celebrate successful women trailblazers, gain inspiration from women achievers and empower the audience from an intellectual standpoint. It will feature some of the most inspiring and successful women today and a range of activities, including featured speeches, panel discussions, report on the ‘Women of our Time’ upward mobility survey results and networking sessions. The EOC is a supporting organisation of this conference, and Dr. York CHOW, the EOC Chairperson, will be the event’s Guest of Honour.

Date:	Thursday, 9 October 2014
Time:	8:30am – 4:30pm
Venue:	Salons 1-4, JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong
Language:	English