The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) today (3 June 2023) held the Recognition Ceremony of the “Equal Opportunity Youth Ambassador Scheme” to signify the completion of this six-month programme by 35 tertiary students. Commissioner for Youth Mr Wallace LAU Ka-ki was invited as the Guest of Honour of the ceremony, along with EOC Members and representatives from various tertiary institutions.

Speaking at the event, EOC Chairperson Mr Ricky CHU Man-kin said, “The EOC launched the Scheme in October 2022 to further our youth education effort. In line with the HKSAR Government’s youth development policy, the Scheme aims to cultivate positive thinking and values among young people, helping them understand the values of diversity and inclusion, and learn about the needs of different communities, so that they can play an active role in creating an inclusive society, and contribute to the development of our country and city.”

Mr Wallace Lau said, “I am delighted to see that the EOC shares the same objective of the Government and rolled out the ‘Equal Opportunity Youth Ambassador Scheme’ for tertiary students last October, which aims to foster a sense of social responsibility and positive attitude among our new generation. ‘Equality’ is an important cornerstone of modern society, as epitomised in the care and love for every individual. It ensures that the needs of everyone in life and development are equally respected and supported. I encourage the Youth Ambassadors to continue to be positive role models, and contribute their efforts in building an equal, fair and harmonious society, by spreading the message of equal opportunities on campus and among their peers, and applying what they have learnt to their daily lives, studies and work.”

Under the Scheme, tertiary students were recruited to serve as Equal Opportunity Youth Ambassadors. Through a range of experiential learning activities, they gained deeper understanding of the lives of various communities and ethnic groups, and enriched their knowledge and experience of equal opportunities. The Scheme also fostered a spirit of diversity and inclusion among the participants, as they were encouraged to spread the message of equal opportunities to their peers on campus.

Over the past six months, the Youth Ambassadors participated in various experiential learning activities, including doing sports with athletes with disabilities, during which they learnt how to be a guide runner and communicate with people with visual and hearing disabilities; visiting a guide dog training school, when they learnt how to assist people with visual disabilities and reckoned the important role of guide dogs for the blind and visually impaired; attending the open day of a corporation that hires people with disabilities and ethnic minorities, which allowed the Youth Ambassadors to gain insights into how businesses implement diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) policies; and joining a multicultural tour to explore Chinese culture and customs, as well as the traditions and religions of ethnic minorities. Furthermore, the Youth Ambassadors were given an introduction to the anti-discrimination ordinances by the EOC during the orientation gathering, and joined in a mentoring event, as EOC Members shared their work and life experiences.

At the Recognition Ceremony today, the Equal Opportunity Youth Ambassadors were presented with certificates. Recounting their experiences on stage, they shared what they had learnt through the Scheme. Many of them expressed that the Scheme enriched their experience and allowed them to gain knowledge beyond textbooks. They appreciated the first-hand experiences from the DEI activities, which allowed them to develop deeper understanding and appreciation for DEI values. Some Youth Ambassadors also mentioned that participating in the Scheme was only a starting point, as they intended to spread the values of DEI on other platforms with the knowledge gained.

The EOC will continue to organise the Equal Opportunity Youth Ambassador Scheme in the 2023/24 academic year. Details will be released on the Scheme’s website.

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Equal Opportunities Commission
3 June 2023

The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) today (3 June 2023) held the Recognition Ceremony of the “Equal Opportunity Youth Ambassador Scheme” to signify the completion of this programme. Photo shows a group photo of the Guest of Honour, Commissioner for Youth Mr Wallace LAU Ka-ki (last row, sixth from right), EOC Chairperson Mr Ricky CHU Man-kin (last row, sixth from left), EOC Members and guests, as well as the Equal Opportunity Youth Ambassadors.