“A child is an uncut diamond,” the writer Austin O'Malley once said. With the right care and cultivation, every child will shine and dazzle, each with their unique brilliance. The EOC’s storybook series Tally & friends, launched last October, was precisely an early education initiative that aimed to help children appreciate themselves and others, embrace differences, and develop a sense of empathy and self-worth.

This year, the EOC rolled out a series of storytelling workshops and a competition based on Tally & friends, and attracted over 200 applications and 150 entries respectively. The competition invited children studying in kindergartens and primary schools to tell a story from the series or created a new one featuring characters from the books. On 10 November 2018, contestants shortlisted under five categories – Pre-School, Lower Primary, Upper Primary, Team and Sign Language – came together at Hong Kong Central Library for a final showdown and an award ceremony.
 

The theatre was filled with joy and excitement as the children proudly held their certificates and trophies in their hands, accompanied by judges Prof Alfred CHAN Cheung-ming, Chairperson of the EOC; Ms Joyce CHOI, Director of Community Outreach of Bring Me A Book™ Hong Kong; Ms Ada HO, Chairperson of Hong Kong Children’s Arts Society; Ms Cherie LEUNG, Marketing Director of BabyKingdom.com Limited; Ms Juan LEUNG, EOC Board Member; Ms Snoopy LAI, Chairperson of Silence Limited; Ms Michelle TAM, Executive Director of End Child Sexual Abuse Foundation; and Mrs Winnie WONG, Director of The Hong Kong Society for the Deaf. To top it off, a balloon artist with hearing impairment from the social enterprise YM Balloon gave out adorable balloon dolls in the shape of Tally and his friends!

“The EOC believes that nurturing values of equality, diversity and inclusion among children should be made a priority in any approach to education or parenting,” said Prof Chan. “We are therefore very much delighted by the enthusiastic response to the competition and grateful for the generous support of our partners, including Hong Kong Public Libraries, Baby Kingdom, St. James’ Settlement, Hans Andersen Club, Books & Beyond Reading Club and Lutheran School for the Deaf. Going forward, we will continue to engage the younger generation in our public education efforts.”

View the winner list
Read Tally & friends

The EOC was once again recognised by the Hong Kong Management Association (HKMA) at its recent Best Annual Reports Awards. Organised by HKMA every year, the event gives credit to annual reports for being “timely, accurate, informative and well-presented.”

The award presentation ceremony took place on 5 November. Themed “Moving Forward: A Renewed Commitment to Equality”, the 2016/17 edition of the EOC Annual Report was the winner of the Excellence Award for Small Size Entries.

Read the Annual Report

Much has been written about the lack of legal protection for LGBTI individuals in Hong Kong.  To date, there is no ordinance specifically dedicated to combating discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status; no gender recognition scheme that fully affirms and respects transgender people’s claim to their identity, especially those undergoing transition or unprepared for sex reassignment surgery; and no legislative plans to extend the privileges of heteroseuxal marriage – tax breaks, housing benefits, inheritance rights, etc. – to same-sex couples.

While the Government holds the power to introduce legal reform, it has chosen not to use that power, often citing a lack of public consensus over LGBTI equality. The EOC believes that the Government has to step up its commitment to fostering that consensus, as there is ample evidence from empirical research – including the EOC’s 2016 “Study on Legislation against Discrimination on the Grounds of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status” – which shows that public opinion has already shifted in favour towards legislative change.

The Hong Kong Pride Parade on 17 November 2018 (Saturday) is a fitting occasion to speak up for that change and celebrate sexual and gender diversity in broad daylight. Prof Alfred CHAN Cheung-ming, Chairperson of the EOC, has been invited as one of the Rainbow Ambassadors to kick off the parade this year, which carries the theme “Call for the Law, Equality for All”.

Join us on the 17th for a walk for LGBTI inclusion!

Learn more about the parade on Facebook
Read the EOC’s 2016 study

It is often said that Hong Kong should brace itself for a rapidly ageing society, but what exactly should be done? Some pointers may be found at the Gerontech and Innovation Expo cum Summit (GIES), which is making a comeback from 22 – 25 November 2018 at Hall 1A & 1B, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai.

Co-hosted by the HKSAR Government and Hong Kong Council of Social Service, GIES 2018 will showcase innovative ideas and products from Hong Kong and overseas designed to address the everyday needs of the elderly, under categories such as “Smart, Livable Home”, “Quality Caregiving”, “Quality Food”, “Smart Mobility Enablers”, “Integrated Health” and “Social Care Services”. Also in the spotlight is digital culture, specifically Cloud and Internet of Things, which offers new, promising possibilities of enhancing the quality of elderly life.

Drop by to experience the marvel of technology!

Check out the exhibitor list
View the summit schedule