To promote the values of equality, diversity, and inclusion, particularly in the areas under the four anti-discrimination ordinances, the EOC administers the Community Participation Funding Programme, which provides financial support to community projects. In the year 2014/15, the EOC provided nearly HK$1.37 million dollars in funding to 50 projects.

		Board Members and representatives of the EOC also participate in these community events to demonstrate our support for efforts towards equal opportunities for all. For example, on 5 December 2015, Dr. Maggie Koong, the Convenor of the EOC’s Community Participation and Publicity Committee, participated in the “We as One” event organised by Heep Hong Society Healthy Kids Nursery School, where she delivered a talk on the anti-discrimination ordinances, specifically the  Race  Discrimination  Ordinance.   She  also  attended  the
Racial Harmony Workshop at Chek Lap Kok International Airport organised by Kowloon Women’s Organisation on 6 December to promote racial integration. On top of enjoying an educational and inspirational movie, participating ethnic minority children also toured the Aviation Discovery Centre and Sky Deck at the Airport. And on 8 December, Dr. Koong attended, on behalf of the EOC, an event by the Hong Kong Blind Union, during which the Union introduced its new publication “A Harmonious District, A Barrier-Free Life”. Funded by the EOC, the booklet served to highlight the special needs of persons with visual disability, so as to facilitate the design of facilities and services by different sectors and organisations, with a view to enhancing the equal opportunities and social integration of persons with visual disability.

More about the Community Participation Funding Programme

Seeking legal protection for sexual minorities from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status is a strategic priority area of the EOC’s work. To advocate and promote public understanding on this topic, the EOC has been taking part in community events and initiatives. On 7 December 2015, the EOC Chairperson, Dr. York Chow, delivered closing remarks at the Lunch Discussion on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Anti-Discrimination and Relationship Recognition, organised by Out Leadership and Nomura. The event brought together experts from Hong Kong, Australia, and the United States to engage in a conversation about the development of anti-discrimination protection for LGBT people and relationship recognition.

		Separately, Prof. Susanne Choi, Convenor of the EOC’s Policy, Research, and Training Committee, represented the Commission to attend a fundraiser screening of the 2015 movie “Freeheld”, organised by Big Love Alliance on 4 December. Freeheld tells the story of a policewoman and her battle, after she was diagnosed with terminal cancer, to secure her pension benefits for her same-sex partner.

More on Out Leadership: Asia 2015

The EOC is delighted to participate in the HSBC Community Festival, which was held on 29 November 2015. The theme of this year’s festival is “Bringing People Together”, with the aim of inspiring creativity and motivating participation for an inclusive and harmonious community. At the same time, the event aims to celebrate the work and achievements of NGO partners who are involved in the HSBC Community Partnership Programme. Mr. Amirali Bakirali Nasir, Convenor of the EOC’s Legal and Complaints Committee, and Mr. Nelson Yip, Deputy Convenor of the EOC’s Policy, Research, and Training Committee, represented the Commission at the event. The festival featured interactive games and performances at Chater Road, Central and throughout the 18 districts by grantees of HSBC Community Partnership Programme.

HSBC Community Partnership Programme supports registered charities and voluntary agencies to organise a wide range of district-based community initiatives for up to 12 months. Since 2012, the Programme has donated about HK$45 million, supporting more than 170 projects. The EOC is a supporting organisation of the Programme.

More about the HSBC Community Festival

The EOC’s Annual Report and Factsheet 2014/15 are now available, both in hard copy and on the EOC website. With the theme “Equality for the Future,” these publications offer insights into the EOC’s work and initiatives over the past year, as well as outline the Commission’s vision for the landscape of equal opportunities for the years to come. In the Chairperson’s Message in the Annual Report, Dr. York CHOW, noted that, “As we look to our equality landscape for the future, it is important to bear in mind that rights are not static, but are constantly evolving as our society moves forward and we evolve as people. It is imperative for Hong Kong to comprehend these changes, and prepare ourselves to approach them.”

The above publications have been uploaded onto the EOC website to facilitate convenient viewing by members of the public.

See the EOC Annual Report 2014/15
See the EOC Factsheet 2014/15

The Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) is inviting applications for funding under the Project for Developing Chinese Learning and Teaching Materials for Non-Chinese Speakers in Hong Kong. With the funding support from the Language Fund, the project aims at developing learning and teaching materials for non-Chinese speakers, in order to enhance the effectiveness in teaching Chinese to this target group and to provide them with self-learning tools for this purpose. Local tertiary institutions or educational, research, publishing and training organisations interested in applying for the grant may submit their project proposals to SCOLAR by 5:00pm of 5 January 2016.

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