The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) held its first event under the "Equal Opportunity Youth Ambassador Scheme" yesterday (7 January 2023) and shared its vision and work on promoting equal opportunities for a group of enthusiastic young people.

Youth work is one of the priorities of the HKSAR Government. The EOC also attaches great importance to its work targeting young people, and has been cultivating the concept of equality and inclusion among young people through different programmes. In order to promote the value of equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion to the young generation, and unite young equal opportunity supporters, the EOC launches the "Equal Opportunity Youth Ambassador Scheme" last October and received very positive responses. 36 Youth Ambassadors have been selected to join the programme, the majority of whom joined yesterday’s orientation gathering at the EOC Office.

EOC Chairperson, Mr Ricky Chu Man-kin welcomed the Youth Ambassadors to the programme and commended them for applying to become Equal Opportunity Youth Ambassadors, “You have initiated action to get yourselves engaged and bring about positive influence and changes – in the place you study and live, in your own community and in society.”

Mr Chu continued, “In the coming five months, the Ambassadors will be exposed to a diverse range of experiences through visits, exchange and meetings. These first-hand experiences will deepen the Ambassadors’ understanding of equal opportunity issues, and empower them to take action for making Hong Kong an equal and inclusive city.”

Mr Gary WONG Chi-him, Convenor of Community Participation and Publicity Committee of the EOC, said, “The Government released the city’s first-ever Youth Development Blueprint last month, which outlines the philosophy, goals and actions for youth development. I am pleased to say that our Youth Ambassador Scheme which was introduced in October last year shares the same vision with the Government, that is, to nurture a new generation of young people with social responsibility, positive mindset, local understanding and global perspectives. This Scheme will provide a distinctive platform to inspire, empower and encourage actions that will make a difference in society. I truly believe young people are our future and they have the potential to make a difference.”

The purpose of the Scheme is to recruit tertiary students to become "Equal Opportunity Youth Ambassadors", enhance their awareness and experience of equal opportunity through experiential learning activities, strengthen the connection and sense of belonging of tertiary students with the EOC, and finally build a team of youth ambassadors who are encouraged to promote equal opportunity on campus and among their peers.

The EOC will provide a series of experiential learning activities and mentoring activities for youth ambassadors to participate in, including sporting activities with athletes with disabilities, visits to training centre for guide dogs, visits to a company which employs persons with disabilities and ethnic minorities, visits to religious establishments (e.g. mosques), training on anti-discrimination ordinances and mentoring activities. A recognition ceremony would be held at the end of the Scheme. The Youth Ambassadors will be required to produce a short video or conduct a brief presentation to recount their experiences upon the completion of the Scheme. These materials will be presented at the recognition ceremony. They will also be posted on the webpage of the Scheme and on social media. The EOC hopes to spread the message of equality and inclusion among young people's groups through social media platforms and youth ambassadors' networks.

Youth ambassadors who have completed the Scheme with a satisfactory attendance rate will receive multiple rewards. They include a certificate issued by the EOC, a written reference letter signed by EOC Chairperson and a digital recommendation granted by EOC Chairperson on LinkedIn.

For details of the “Equal Opportunity Youth Ambassador Scheme”, please visit: www.eoc.org.hk/youth.

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Equal Opportunities Commission
8 January 2023
 

Mr Ricky CHU, Chairperson of the EOC (back row, third from left); Mr Gary WONG Chi-him, Convenor of Community Participation and Publicity Committee of the EOC (second row, third from right) and Equal Opportunity Youth Ambassadors at the orientation gathering of the Equal Opportunity Youth Ambassador Scheme.