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  1. The EOC Participates in the 20th Annual Meeting and Third Biennial Conference of the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions

EOC Participates in the 20th Annual Meeting and Third Biennial Conference of the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights InstitutionsThe EOC presented an update on its work to advance equality at the 20th Annual Meeting and Third Biennial Conference of the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF) held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on 26-28 August. This is the Commission’s second presentation to the Forum, following the last presentation at the Biennial Conference in Doha, Qatar in 2013.

At the meeting on 27 August, Dr. York CHOW, Chairperson of the EOC, provided the meeting participants with an update on the Commission’s strategic priority work areas. Dr. Chow also discussed the EOC’s views regarding the prevention of torture and the protection of the rights of people held in detention, which is the theme of this year’s Conference. “This event provides an important platform for mutual learning and exchange, and we are delighted to take part. The Commission feels that our nearly two decades of operational experience enables us to make a meaningful contribution to this regional dialogue to promote human rights. Meanwhile, we can also gain new insights and perspectives from the sharing of the other delegates,” Dr. Chow remarked.

Read the press release
Find out more about the APF

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  1. Check Out the New Issue of the EOC Journal

EOC Journal Autumn 2015 IssueThe EOC Journal Autumn 2015 issue is now available! Published twice a year, the EOC Journal aims to provide members of the public with more in-depth insights and information on different aspects of equal opportunities issues and how they relate to everyday life. This issue takes a closer look at how far Hong Kong has come to achieve gender equality, on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the passage of Hong Kong’s first anti-discrimination law, the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (SDO) this year. In the 20 years since the SDO was passed, the equal opportunities landscape of our city has changed dramatically, with new laws instituted to protect us from various forms of discrimination. The anniversary gives us an opportune moment to look back on our progress over the years, with a feature-length interview with the Commission’s first Chairperson and current Pro-Vice-Chancellor /Vice-President of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Professor Fanny M. CHEUNG. Additionally, the Journal features articles and reports on various initiatives of the Commission, in order to enable the public to learn more about our work. If you would like to receive a hard copy of this publication (free of charge), please email us at eoc@eoc.org.hk or call 2511 8211, or you may review it on the EOC’s website.

Read the EOC Journal online

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  1. The EOC Chairperson Emphasises Importance of Enabling Young People to Self-Reflect and Speak Up for Equality

Op-ed Article by EOC Chairperson Dr. York CHOW in South China Morning PostOver the past year or so, Hong Kong’s youth have attracted much attention locally and internationally due to their active and, to some, radical participation in our city’s political and social issues. On the occasion of the International Youth Day, which is observed annually on 12 August,  the EOC Chairperson,  Dr. York CHOW, published  an op-ed article in the South China Morning Post and Ming Pao Daily to highlight the importance of youth civic engagement, and the vital role young people can play to advance equality and inclusion in Hong Kong.

In his article, Dr. Chow pointed out the need for Hong Kong to draw our own roadmap for the shifting equality landscape, including rising issues of discrimination relating to race, gender, age and sexual orientation, which will affect our youth for the generations to come. Young people must be prepared with skills to face these challenges through rational discussion, compassion, and self-reflection. “Our galvanised youth, full of passion to serve and coming from a variety of backgrounds, can surely make an important contribution to the discussion. To achieve this, we must equip our young people with the skills to look at these concerns with empathy, mutual respect, and an open mind,” wrote Dr. Chow. Without these skills, Dr. Chow cautioned that real changes cannot be achieved. “Indeed, a society which lacks the ability or desire to self-reflect, or to learn and change, will be at risk of stagnation, incapable of rationally determining its own future direction,” noted Dr. Chow.

Read the article

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  1. The EOC YouTube Channel

EOC YouTube ChannelTo enhance public awareness about equal opportunities and social inclusion through popular online platforms, the EOC YouTube Channel was launched in February 2008. Now with 224 uploaded clips and over 325,000 views, the channel features a variety of videos to highlight the EOC’s activities, such as the EOC Forum and the celebration of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD). Recently, new videos with audio descriptions were also added. These videos were produced by the EOC in collaboration with the Hong Kong Society for the Blind. Based on the EOC’s award-winning TV docu-dramas, the videos come with audio descriptions of the actions and scenes, on top of the original sound effects and dialogues. Altogether, five episodes of the docu-drama and the winning entry from the EOC’s short video competition were uploaded onto the YouTube channel, offering more infotainment/entertainment choices for people with visual impairment and the elderly.

Go to the EOC YouTube Channel

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  1. The Samaritans Calls for Volunteers with Language Skills Other than English

The Samaritans multilingual 24-hour hotlineThe Samaritans is Hong Kong’s only multilingual 24-hour hotline service dedicated to assisting those who have suicidal thoughts and emotional distress. To strengthen their capacity to serve different communities in Hong Kong, the Samaritans is calling for volunteers who can speak languages other than English, including Bahasa, French, Hindi, Nepali, Tagalog, Thai, and Urdu. Volunteers must be at least 21 years old; in possession of a Hong Kong identity card or permanent identity card (as required by Hong Kong law); and be committed, patient, dedicated and compassionate. No special qualification or previous experience is required. Click on the link below for more details.

Volunteer for the Samaritans

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Visit our website or download the EOC mobile app to stay updated on the EOC’s work and positions, and to review our press releases, speeches, media interviews, and calendar training. 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.