On 23 September 2013, the EOC organized a public forum to obtain stakeholders’ views for better steering of its work. The Forum is the EOC’s largest annual outreach event, which provides a platform for stakeholders to share their views on enhancing the Commission’s work in promoting equal opportunities in Hong Kong. To enhance transparency and accountability, the Commission’s past performance and new initiatives were presented at the Forum, including the EOC’s Three-year Strategic Plan with five priority areas and three ongoing major undertakings. The Convenors of the EOC’s Administration and Finance Committee, Legal and Complaints Committee, Policy and Research Committee, and Community Participation and Publicity Committee also reported on the key initiatives and achievements in their respective areas. The event was well received with an attendance of 400 representatives from NGOs, concern groups, business organizations, government departments, employers’ organizations and unions.

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News Highlights
Webpage on the EOC Forum

On 19 September 2013, Members of the EOC met at the 103rd EOC Meeting and discussed various matters related to the Commission’s business. Members reviewed the work of the EOC in the first six months of 2013, and noted that the EOC had completed a review of its internal operational procedures to streamline work and improve efficiency. In addition, to achieve the mission of creating a pluralistic and inclusive society, Members agreed that the EOC should guard against all forms of discrimination and advocate equality for all by going beyond the current remits of the four anti-discrimination ordinances. There was consensus among Members that discrimination legislation on sexual orientation and gender identity should be introduced. Other areas for consideration included the issue of age discrimination, discrimination against new migrants and mainlanders and discrimination against foreign domestic workers. The EOC office will form internal task groups to work on the agreed strategic work areas and also consider issues identified.

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News Highlights

On 26-27 September 2013, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child held a session to look at the situation for Hong Kong’s children. At the EOC, we have long been concerned about discrimination issues affecting this city’s youngsters, particularly the exclusion of children with disabilities and special needs as well as ethnic minorities from equal educational opportunities. In an op-ed article published on 26 September 2013 in the South China Morning Post and Ming Pao, the EOC Chairperson, Dr. York CHOW, appealed to the Government and the community for more to be done for our ethnic minority students to help them master Chinese in their school years. In the article, Dr. Chow supported the creation of an alternate Chinese-as-Second-Language curriculum and discussed his views on the situation of de facto segregation in former “designated schools.” Dr. Chow also urged the recognition of third language capabilities in addition to English and Chinese in university admission and recruitment process for jobs in the civil service and public organisations, though he cautioned that this measure should not stop students from learning Chinese. “Most importantly, all children, irrespective of race, gender, or any other characteristic, must not be deprived of their fundamental right to equal education,” wrote Dr. Chow.

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Read the article in Chinese

In an effort to spread awareness about employment-related discrimination and encourage equal opportunity workplaces, the EOC Chairperson, Dr. York CHOW, has delivered remarks on related topics at a number of recent events. At the Manpower Committee Roundtable Luncheon Talk organized by Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC) on 13 September 2013, Dr. Chow shared with the audience his thoughts on “Equal Opportunities at Work.” He spoke on a number of issues including the EOC’s five priority areas and three ongoing undertakings and how they affect businesses and employers; why businesses should care about equal opportunity workplaces; and recommended human resource policies to encourage a diverse workforce.

The EOC Chairperson’s talk at the Manpower Committee Roundtable Luncheon

The EOC’s Annual Report 2011/12 has been recognised with the Honors Prize at the 27^th ARC Awards in the category of “Overall Presentation – Tradition Format, Public Services, Non-Profit Organisation.” The ARC Awards is an international competition which honours outstanding achievement in annual reports.

In addition, the EOC’s Annual Report 2012/13 and the updated EOC Casebook are now available on the EOC website. The EOC Casebook contains a number of complaint and court cases handled by the Commission to widen understanding about the anti-discrimination ordinances in a practical way. Through both publications, the EOC aims to heighten awareness about everyone’s rights and responsibilities under the law and address the public’s need for transparency in our work.

View the EOC’s Annual Report 2012/13
View the EOC’s Annual Report 2011/12
See the EOC Casebook

On 5 October 2013, The Women’s Foundation and the Gender Research Centre of the Chinese University of Hong Kong will organise a symposium with a focus on four of the most pressing social and policy areas facing Hong Kong- the ageing population, poverty, education and the economy. This half-day symposium will examine the hidden burdens for women, the current policy and programme gaps, and recommendations for practical collaborative initiatives to tackle the most pressing issues for Hong Kong society as a whole. The EOC is pleased to be a supporting organisation of this event. The symposium is free-of-charge and will be conducted in Cantonese with English simultaneous interpretation provided. Seats are limited, so register now.

Date:	5 October 2013(Sat)
Time:	9:00am – 2:30pm (lunch included)
Venue:	LT6, 2/F, Cheng Yu Tung Building, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

More details
Registration

The Asia Social Innovation Award 2013 (亞洲社企創新獎) is calling for entries! Members of the public are invited to send their innovative ideas addressing any one of the three social issues for this year: 1) Aging Population; 2) Poverty; 3) Parenting. The result will be released in early November. The “Best Multimedia Award” will be presented to the best idea in multimedia format. Interested parties can submit their ideas in 200-500 words or a video clip on or before 6 October 2013 (Asian participants) and 13 October 2013 (Hong Kong participants). The EOC is pleased to be a supporting organisation of this event.

Details and online application