Prof. Alfred CHAN Cheung-ming’s three-year term as the new Chairperson of the EOC began today (11 April 2016). “I look forward to engaging and working with all stakeholders to uphold the values of equality for all in Hong Kong,” said Prof. Chan. “Together, we can do our part to make this city a fairer and more inclusive place, where everyone has equal opportunities to pursue their aspirations.”

Prof. Chan has extensive professional expertise and experience of working with various key stakeholders, serving and leading various advisory and statutory bodies of different policy areas, with in-depth knowledge of social issues, including ageing issues. Prof. Chan was previously Chair Professor of Social Gerontology cum Director of Asia-Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies and Office of Service-Learning at Lingnan University. He has also served as Chairman of the Elderly Commission, and was a member of the Minimum Wage Commission, the Independent Police Complaints Council and the Health and Medical Development Advisory Committee.

Read the EOC’s media statement on Prof. Chan’s appointment
Read the Government’s statement on Prof. Chan’s appointment

The EOC Community Participation Funding Programme (CPFP) 2016/17 is now open for application. The Programme aims to facilitate eligible organisations to carry out projects which promote public understanding of equal opportunities, foster anti-discriminatory attitudes, and motivate members of the public to support and apply the principles of equal opportunities in everyday life. To be eligible for consideration of funding, the applications should reach the EOC either by 16 May 2016 (1st batch) or by 31 August 2016 (2nd batch), and clearly state how the planned activities will promote equal opportunities, and/or foster anti-discriminatory attitudes and behaviours. The maximum funding limit of each project is $50,000.

To widen awareness about the CPFP, including the application process, there will be two briefing sessions held for interested organisations as follows:

Date:	English Session: Thursday, 21 April 2016, 11:00 am to 12:15 pm
	Cantonese Session: Friday, 22 April 2016, 4:00 pm to 5:15 pm
Venue:	EOC Office, 19/F, Cityplaza Three, 14 Taikoo Wan Road, Taikoo Shing, Hong Kong
Objectives:	To introduce the guidelines and application procedures of the funding programme for interested organisations

More details on CPFP
Enrolment form for CPFP briefing session

Close to 80% of the complaints received by the EOC are employment related, and the majority of employers in Hong Kong are small to medium enterprises (SMEs). In order to encourage SMEs to ensure an inclusive workplace, the EOC has published an “Equal Opportunities: Concise Guide for Small and Medium Enterprises”. This Guide provides useful information on equal opportunities targeted at employers and management of SMEs. Contents include the introduction of the equal opportunities legislation, definition of discrimination, cases to illustrate unlawful discrimination, and other resources.

See the “Equal Opportunities: Concise Guide for SMEs”

From now until 31 May 2016, members of the public who have downloaded the EOC Smart Phone App can enter a lucky draw for a chance to win an iPad mini 4 or a portable charger for mobile phones. The EOC smart phone app has been developed to facilitate convenient access to the EOC’s information. It features an introduction to the EOC; a brief description of the four anti-discrimination ordinances; our latest news; a multimedia centre and a mini-game. Another significant feature of the app is that it provides users with barrier-free access support, in order to cater to the special needs of different users. Download the EOC Smart Phone App now!

Enter the lucky draw
Press release on the introduction of the EOC Smart Phone App

The Equal Opportunities Micro Film Competition was launched in October 2015, with the aim of enhancing the understanding and support of the general public, in particular the video lovers, towards equal opportunities by leveraging on the power of the Internet and interactive media to eliminate discrimination and build an inclusive society. The EOC received entries of a wide range of topics from different sectors, including primary and secondary schools, tertiary and vocational training institutions, as well as voluntary organisations and individual members of the public.

In recognition of the participants’ creativity and motivations to promote equal opportunities and inclusion, the Competition featured three Special Recognition Awards in addition to Champion, First Runner-up and Second Runner-up Awards. On 13 March 2016, the award presentation ceremony took place during the public event of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. All winning entries are uploaded onto the EOC YouTube Channel, which also features other film clips from the Commission including past events, docu-dramas, announcements of public interest, and others. Please visit the link below for more information about the competition and the results.

Details on winning entries
Read the press release
More on the EOC YouTube Channel

On 24 April 2016, the Hong Kong PHAB Association will hold the Go Fun Fearless Dragon Charity 2016, its annual fundraising event. Proceeds will go towards support services for people with disabilities and their families. The event features athletes from the Fearless Dragon Running Club, founded in 2010, which pairs runners with visual impairment with running partners who have hearing impairment. Now with more than 100 members, the team has been active participants in local and overseas long-distance running events. The 2016 event features a new element, Running Dragon Carnival, which is organised and presented by Public Relations and Media Business students of IVE, to create a fun-filled activity for everyone, particularly families, to join and enjoy. Please see below the event details.

Date:	24 April 2016 (Sunday)
Start time:	8:30am
Venue:	Pak Shek Kok Promenade, Shatin

Online registration
Details