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EOC launches citywide campaign to promote racial equality and integration
The EOC has rolled out a citywide campaign to promote racial diversity and inclusiveness. Featuring MTR advertisements, public event, talks and seminar throughout March, the month-long programme aims to provide a platform for citywide action against racism, discrimination and intolerance, in observance of the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD) on 21 March.
Professor Alfred CHAN Cheung-ming, Chairperson of the EOC explained the purpose of the promotion: “Diversity is an integral part of Hong Kong and our city’s core value. Yet racism, xenophobia and intolerance remain prevalent in our society, and discriminatory practices can be seen in different sectors, robbing ethnic minorities of the opportunities that they should have in education, employment and other aspects. Taking the opportunity of IDERD, the EOC is organising a series of activities in March 2018 to raise awareness of the importance of racial integration, respect and acceptance in our society.”
To make the messages of racial diversity and inclusion visible, the EOC has arranged for posters of Tally & friends, the EOC’s children storybook series, to be installed at MTR stations from 9-23 March 2018. The EOC has also lined up a number of activities to engage different sectors of the community, including a talk to students of St. Rose of Lima’s College on 7 March by Mr Jeffrey ANDREWS, the first registered Indian social worker in Hong Kong; a public event featuring colourful cultural and singing performances, speeches and sharing at Lok Fu Place on 10 March (2:30-3:40pm), and a seminar on “Corporate Role in Promoting Racial Diversity” on 21 March with the support of HSBC.
Professor Chan added, “The campaign aligns with the Government’s effort to address racial inequality in the city. As announced in the Policy Address last October and the recent Budget, the Government is committed to enhancing its support for ethnic minorities, with $500 million earmarked for the purpose in the 2018/19 Budget. In addition, the Chief Secretary for Administration will set up a steering committee to coordinate, review and monitor the work in the area. The EOC has also received an additional one-off funding of $3 million from the Government to strengthen the promotion of racial integration. We have already made plans for various initiatives in 2018/19 to engage the community, and mobilise multi-sector effort to push forward the agenda of racial equality.”
