Having troubles financing your equality campaign and letting your ideas take off? Look no further – the EOC’s Community Participation Funding Programme is now accepting applications until 14 September 2018.

Creating a pluralistic and inclusive society is a collective effort, which is why the EOC has been funding initiatives by NGOs, schools and other community groups that aim to eliminate discrimination and promote equal opportunities for all. Under the programme, each approved project will receive a maximum of HK$50,000. Interested parties are welcome to join the upcoming briefing sessions on 31 July (Cantonese) and 3 August (English) at the EOC office in Wong Chuk Hang.

Learn about eligibility and sign up for the briefing sessions to know more
Get directions to the EOC office

Just last month, the Hong Kong Christian Council unearthed an inconvenient truth with a study on sexual harassment in Hong Kong churches: more than half of the 55 respondents have been sexually harassed or assaulted by a church leader or employee; near one-fifth were forced to engage in sexual activity. The appalling findings fuelled an already simmering outcry over unchecked sexual aggression in God’s backyard, following recent media reports of church management brushing off complaints from victims and demanding silence.

In response, Prof Alfred CHAN Cheung-ming, Chairperson of the EOC, published an article in Stand News, Inmedia and Sing Tao Daily on 27 June and in Hong Kong Free Press on 3 July. “Church cultures tend to operate along strict hierarchies while calling on followers to be loving, understanding and forgiving,” Prof Chan wrote. “Add to this all the taboo, conservatism and negativity surrounding sex – both in churches and our society at large – and a horribly wrong message may be sent to victims of sexual abuse, that is, by coming forward and speaking out, they would tear the congregation apart and give their church a bad name.”

The EOC has taken the initiative to reach out to related Christian umbrella organisations and proposed to assist them in establishing anti-sexual harassment policies and complaint-handling mechanisms. Given that there are nearly 1,300 churches in Hong Kong with over 300,000 congregants, any further delay in addressing the issue of sexual harassment would expose a sizeable population to continued, unnecessary risk. Ensuring that church-going remains a spiritually nourishing experience instead of an intimidating ordeal is not the work of God, but a responsibility of all church leaders.

Read Prof Chan's Chinese article
Read Prof Chan's English article

In 2002, the EOC launched the Youth Challenge programme with the aim to empower the younger generation to knock off stereotypes and other barriers in pursuing their dreams. This year saw the 15th edition of the programme, with Ms Ada TSANG Yin-hung, the first Hong Kong woman to conquer Mount Everest, as one of the mentors.

On 28 June, Ms Tsang was invited to recount her heart-stopping experience reaching the summit before 500 secondary school students. Her success came after seven years of rigorous training, two failed attempts, life-threatening avalanches and earthquakes, and the tragic loss of a close companion. As challenging as it was, her determination grew with each hardship that came in her way, and she made conquering Everest her goal to give her students a living example of hard work and dedication.

Notwithstanding her success, Ms. Tsang reminded students at the talk that we should never stay complacent or stop equipping ourselves for the future. It is also important not to lose our hope and ambition even in the face of prejudice and discrimination, whether it is based on our gender, disability, race or age.

The last sharing session of Youth Challenge 2017/18 will be held on 30 July, when participants of The Women Foundation’s T.E.E.N. Programme will visit the EOC and learn about concepts about equal opportunity and ways to combat stereotypes.

More about the Youth Challenge programme

From 18 – 19 August, Prospects Theatre will stage four shows of its Youth Theatre Showcase, Adventures in Magic Forest at Studio Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Performed in Cantonese, the play follows a little red riding hood and a puppet friend who must overcome their differences to rescue kids trapped inside a magic forest. The production is part of Prospects Theatre’s three-year initiative “Jockey Club Equal Opportunities Drama Project”, sponsored by Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and supported by the EOC. Since 2015 the project has spread messages of equal opportunity and anti-discrimination among local youth through talks, workshops, competitions and summer camps.

The 3:30pm show on 19 August will be followed by a ceremony where Youth Drama Ambassadors under the project will be recognised for their active participation in inclusion-themed activities.

Buy tickets at URBTIX now
Learn more about the project (in Chinese only)
About Prospects Theatre (in Chinese only)