26 April 2012
Issue 50
26 April 2012
Issue 50
Since March 2011, the EOC’s radio programme on RTHK 2, Equal Opportunities Diversity Project, has promoted public awareness on inclusion and diversity through weekly interviews with celebrities and experts. On 14 April 2012 at Yuen Long Plaza, the EOC and RTHK Radio 2 held a finale to mark the end of the current season's programme with the theme, "Equal Employment Opportunities for All." Speaking at the event, Mr. LAM Woon-kwong, the EOC Chairperson, emphasised the importance of diversity in ensuring Hong Kong’s success: “Ensuring that all people can compete fairly to the best of their abilities, irrespective of background, gender and race, is critical to our competitive edge in the global marketplace.” The event also featured sharing from representatives from NGOs and community groups as well as a cultural performance from Po Kok Primary School.
Watch the finale on 14 April 2012 (Chinese version only)
Read the press release on the programme's finale
*********************************************
With globalization and the rapid changes to jobs in the marketplace, many men are facing increasing difficulties in adjusting to the resulting shift in social landscape. These challenges must be addressed by eliminating gender stereotypes which hinder the necessary role adjustment between women and men in the family. In his opening remarks at the panel discussion on "the Changing Role of Men", organized by the Women's Foundation on 16 April 2012, Mr. LAM Woon-kwong, urged the public not to "turn away from this subject which is real, and which is getting more serious by the day. Outdated, stereotyped concepts continue to occupy our mind, to the damage of us all. So the more we engage ourselves in facing them, in thrashing out the issues, the better chance we have in coming to grips with them before it is too late." The panel featured four esteemed speakers: Prof. Paul Yip from the University of Hong Kong, Alex Lo of the South China Morning Post, Adrienne Burgess from the Fatherhood Institute of the United Kingdom, and Robin Egerton, Chair of the Hong Kong Family Law Association.
Read the Chairperson's speech (English version only)
Link to The Women's Foundation website
*********************************************
Over the last decade, the EOC's youth programme, Career Challenge, has been providing Hong Kong’s young people with the opportunity to be inspired by guest mentors who have overcome barriers from their gender, disability, family status, and race to achieve success. This year’s programme features nine outstanding achievers, with sharing sessions scheduled throughout the year. Members of the public can view video highlights of this year’s past sessions on our Youtube channel. The first video is from the session of Ms Prudence Mak, the founder of Chocolate Rain. More videos will be posted in the future.
View video highlights of the session with Prudence Mak (Chinese version only)
More information on the Career Challenge 2011/12 programme
*********************************************
The Direction Association for the Handicapped has published a book, Directions, to give voice to people with disabilities who have overcome barriers to live a life of dignity. The book was launched with a screening of the film, "the Diving Bell and the Butterfly." Based on a true story, the movie depicts the life of a successful man whose whole body became paralyzed by a stroke, except for his left eye. Using that eye to blink out his memoir, the man described the aspects of his interior world, from the psychological torment of being trapped inside his body (like a diving bell) to the stories he imagined of places he had only visited in his mind (as free as a butterfly). Similarly, the eight inspirational, real-life stories collected in Directions describe the experiences of people with disabilities who, with courage and determination, overcame obstacles and discrimination to live their lives to the fullest.
Link to the Direction Association for the Handicapped website
*********************************************
In order to provide support to people who are suffering from mood disorders / mental illness and their families, the Richmond Fellowship of Hong Kong has set up a 24-hour hotline service for this targeted group. The organization, which promotes mental health, has received nearly 2,000 calls for assistance in the first three months of the hotline, nearly half of which are nighttime calls. The organization follows up on the registered users’ condition, including providing reminders on medication and consultation time, to ensure sustained care and enhance family members' ability to facilitate the recovery of the users. For enquiry, please call 3512-2626.
More details
Stay updated on the EOC's work and positions by referring to our press releases, speeches, media interviews, and calendar training on our website. Also, stay tuned on other equal opportunities issues and community initiatives by visiting our community resources and community events pages for information from our community partners, including publications, survey reports, publicity campaigns, and upcoming conferences.