An "Equal Opportunities Month" is organised by the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) in November 1999 to commend the efforts of community organizations in promoting equal opportunities and to emphasise the importance of community partnership. The opening ceremony was held today (4 November 1999) at the Open Piazza of Times Square, Causeway Bay.

The Equal Opportunities Commission started to offer the Community Participation Funding Programme in 1996, in order to provide financial assistance to community organisations to organise activities promoting equal opportunities. Through this programme, the EOC has established partnerships with different community organisations, including concern groups, rehabilitation organisations, women organisations, trade unions, business associations, local groups, racial minority groups and schools.

"The EOC understands that it is very important to gain the support of community organisations in promoting the concept of equal opportunities. Until now, the EOC has funded a total of 167 programmes through 7 batches of the funding programme. The total amount of funding was around three million dollars. The activities are of various format, effectively promoting the message of equal opportunities," Ms. Anna Wu, Chairperson of the EOC said at the opening ceremony.

There will be 25 programmes organised by 18 funded organisations in November 1999. Members of the public are most welcome to participate in the activities. Details of the programmes are available at District Offices, Labour Department offices and the EOC. Interested parties can also call the EOC at 2511 8211 for more information.

Officiating at the ceremony were Mr. Leo Kwan, Acting Secretary for Home Affairs; Miss Pauline Wong, District Officer (Wan Chai); Mr. Cheung Wai-leung, the Equal Opportunities Ambassador and winner of four gold medals in the Paralympic Games; Ms. Anna Wu, Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission; and Mrs. Peggy Lam, Convenor of the Community Participation and Publicity Committee of the EOC.

Other guests included Mr. Kim Mok, winner of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons 1999 and Miss Chan Man-fong, winner of the Ten Outstanding Students 1998 who discussed the rights of persons with a disability and their contributions to society with Mr. Cheung Wai-leung, winner of Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World. There were also singing performances by Mr. Chan Kwong-tim, lead singer of the Lutheran Band and the Lam Tin Ling Liang Kindergarten also sang a song about equal opportunities. The Pentecostal Lam Hon Kwong Secondary School staged a drama on gender stereotyping.

Enquiry: Mr. Sam Ho 21062187