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E-news Issue 187

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Issue 187 | 07/06/2018

Winning stories of EOC’s writing competition came to life on stage

As Robin Williams said in the acclaimed film Dead Poets Society, “No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world.” The moving power of stories is evidenced by the winners of EOC’s “Employment Equality Project – Writing Competition”, recently announced at a fun-filled public event at Kowloonbay International Trade & Exhibition Centre on 19 May that aimed to promote equal employment opportunity for people with disabilities (PWDs). Co-organised by the EOC and Radio Television Hong Kong Radio 1, the event was graced by the presence of The Hon SHIU Ka-chun, Chairman of the Legislative Council’s Panel on Welfare Services, who presented certificates and prizes to the winners; Mr David LEUNG, Commissioner for Rehabilitation; Mr David HO Chung-yan, Head of RTHK Radio 1; and Ms Teresa MO, Best Actress winner at the 37th Hong Kong Film Awards. They joined Professor Alfred CHAN Cheung-ming, Chairperson of the EOC, to perform the launch ceremony.

Young talents receive recognition for promoting equality through theatre

On 25 May, winners of the inter-school competition under the Jockey Club Equal Opportunities Drama Project 2017/18 received their well-deserved awards at Youth Square in Chai Wan. Teams hailing from primary and secondary schools across the territory went on stage once again to deliver their winning performances and spread the message of love, respect and equality.

Exhibition explores empowerment of grassroots women with “HeForShe” spirit

According to Hong Kong Poverty Situation Report 2016, 1.35 million people in this city are living in poverty, of which over 50% are women (728,400). Carrying the heavy burden of looking after family members, many Hong Kong women toil away at part-time jobs, whose meagre benefits further put them at a disadvantaged, stressful and vulnerable position.

End bias and spread empathy on World Refugee Day

When tabloid journalism and populist politics rule the day, it is not easy to stay in touch with our humanity, not least around the issue of refugees. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Refugee Agency, the world is now witnessing the highest levels of displacement on record, with an unprecedented 65.6 million people forced from home. Nearly 22.5 million are refugees, over half of whom are under the age of 18. Every minute, 20 people are forcibly displaced as a result of conflict or persecution. As residents of a relatively peaceful city, we may not be able to readily relate to the extremity of the terror refugees have undergone, or the confounding sense of alienation that comes when one sets foot on unfamiliar ground. Yet, at one point or another in our lives, we have all experienced feelings of helplessness and despair; and World Refugee Day (20 June) serves as the perfect occasion for us to put ourselves into the shoes of refugees at home and around the world, and find out what we – as individuals and a society – can do to lessen their pain and answer their hopes.
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