On 17 September 2015, Members of the EOC met at the 111th EOC meeting and discussed various matters related to the Commission’s business. Dr. York CHOW, Chairperson of the EOC, reported on the work plan and progress of the Commission before the end of 2015, namely organising the EOC Public Forum on 24 November 2015 to engage stakeholders in discussing the Commission’s work, and other initiatives on equal opportunity issues in Hong Kong.

This year, the EOC has chosen “Ethnic Minorities Education and Employment Challenges” as the special theme of the Public Forum. At the event, scheduled to be held at the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Building in Quarry Bay, the EOC will introduce the strategies and work of the EOC’s Ethnic Minorities Unit. Arrangements are also being made to invite representatives from the Government and from both the public and private sectors to share their relevant policies and practices on enhancing the educational and employment opportunities of ethnic minorities in Hong Kong.

Read the media statement

Children are our future, and the EOC is committed to promoting equal access to quality education for all. Recently, media reports and some members of community groups have brought to our attention the situation relating to English-speaking students with special educational needs, and their difficulties in accessing educational opportunities. To widen awareness about the relevant anti-discrimination ordinances and their application in education, as well as to provide a platform for schools to raise questions and share concerns in relation to discrimination in education, the EOC organised an English-language workshop for school principals and administrators on 21 September 2015. Approximately 50 representatives of both public and private-sector schools attended the workshop to learn about the application of the Disability Discrimination Ordinance and the Race Discrimination Ordinance in the school setting and to have an open discussion about the way forward. In his opening remarks, Dr. York CHOW, the EOC Chairperson, reiterated the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that every child can equally access quality education. He also thanked the school representatives for sharing their views and potential concerns, including on admissions policies, as well as the provision of accommodation to specific needs of both students and teachers. The feedback from the workshop was positive, with school representatives expressing an interest in continuing the discussion and staying engaged on potential collaborative opportunities to advance equal educational opportunities for all.

On 24 September, the EOC also issued a statement calling on all schools in Hong Kong to adhere to the principles of equality and inclusiveness in their admission criteria and procedures, with the Primary One Admission (POA) process having started on 21 September. “Schools have a vital role to play, and they should take active steps to level the playing field for all children, regardless of their race and abilities,” noted Dr. Chow.

Read the press release
Code of Practice on Education under the Disability Discrimination Ordinance
Disability & Education Series
Racial Equality and the School Uniform

In July 2015, the Electronic Health Record Sharing System Ordinance was passed by the Legislative Council. Aside from creating an electronic system for patients’ health information, the Ordinance also provides that a “substitute decision maker” for patients unable to decide for themselves, such as if they are in a coma or mentally incapable, may also include the patient’s co-habiting partner. In op-ed articles published in the South China Morning Post and Ming Pao Daily on 10 September and 16 September respectively, Dr. York CHOW, the EOC Chairperson, praised both the Government and the Legislative Council for their foresight and pragmatism in adapting to the shifting reality of what it means to be a family. “The passage of the Electronic Health Record Sharing System Ordinance is significant because it is another step towards recognition of the diversity among our families, which is crucial for the protection of their well-being. Stigma and discrimination can wreak real harm upon one’s mental health, self-esteem, and sense of belonging. It also obstructs their equal participation in society and access to vital services,” wrote Dr. Chow. “Hong Kong, as a society, must consider how to equally safeguard all families. We are all someone’s family, and we need to create a non-judgmental environment so that every family member can be loved and cared for.”

Read the South China Morning Post article (10/9/15)
Read the Ming Pao Daily article (16/9/15)

The EOC understands the importance of engaging diverse stakeholders and listening to different views in building an inclusive society. On 9 September 2015, the EOC Chairperson, Dr. York CHOW, along with representatives of the Commission, met with Parents for The Family Association to exchange views on discrimination issues, explain the stance of the EOC, and to enhance the Association’s understanding on the mission, work and position of the EOC on promoting equal opportunities for all, including sexual minorities. The EOC’s position was reiterated on 20 September, when Dr. Chow represented the Commission to attend Pink Dot Hong Kong. Dr. Chow stated once again the EOC’s view that no one should face discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and that the EOC, in joining the event, has a duty to educate the public on the value of diversity and inclusion. With this year’s theme being “love is love”, Pink Dot is an annual free carnival to show support to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community.

On a separate equal opportunity-related issue, Dr. Chow met on 15 September with the Hong Kong Council of Social Service’s Network on Ethnic Minorities Services, which comprises non-governmental organisations working with Hong Kong’s ethnic minorities, to update them on the Commission’s work in this area. The meeting served as part of the EOC’s regular communication with the NGOs to discuss issues relating to ethnic minorities and explore collaboration on tackling the barriers to equal education and employment opportunities.

More details on Pink Dot Hong Kong 2015
Read the EOC’s recent press statement on education for ethnic minorities

Advancing equal opportunities in education and employment for ethnic minorities has been a strategic priority work area for the EOC over the last few years. In recognition that multi-sectoral collaboration and dialogue is needed to move the issue forward, the EOC is delighted to be a supporting organisation to the Zubin Foundation and their research, “The Status of Ethnic Minorities in Hong Kong, 1997-2014,” which was conducted in partnership with the Centre for Comparative and Public Law (CCPL), the Faculty of Law of The University of Hong Kong. On 23 September 2015, the EOC Chairperson, Dr. York CHOW, participated in a discussion panel held at the launch of the research report. He reiterated the EOC’s commitment to promoting equality for ethnic minorities and highlighted the various initiatives of the Commission to address these barriers, including the formation of the Ethnic Minorities Unit.

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“Taking Root” is an ethnodrama project of Pants Theatre Production to explore how the lives of previous generations of both Chinese and ethnic minority immigrants took root in Hong Kong. Using ethnodrama methodology of adapting ethnographic research data, the performance is devised from direct interviews with both Chinese and ethnic minority groups whose parents were not born in Hong Kong, to unfold the history of migration to this city and to pose the question: “Beyond our appearances, are we really so different?” Programme length is approximately 1 hour, and admission is free-of-charge. Performances in Cantonese and English will be held at various locations in Hong Kong throughout the month of October. Please see the below link for performance schedule and details.

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