The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) today (2 September 2024) announced the launch of the 2024/25 Racially Friendly Campus Recognition Scheme for schools. Following two successful rounds of the campaign, this upcoming scheme will have a further extended scope with awards for exemplary initiatives that promote the principles of racial equality and inclusion in schools. The EOC is extremely grateful to the Education Bureau for continuing to be a supporting organisation of the 2024/25 scheme.  

Applauding the launch of the Scheme for the third year, EOC Chairperson Ms Linda LAM Mei-sau said, “It is heartening that more and more schools are embracing the teaching and modelling the values of racial diversity, equality and inclusion among their students and staff. We look forward to seeing the scheme gain further momentum, covering all schools across the city. Starting small, this EOC initiative has big goals though. We want the youth, leaders of tomorrow, to have a strong foundation when it comes to fairness and respect for all. By motivating schools to build campuses that foster the principles of multi-culturalism, mutual respect and fairness, and encouraging teachers and stakeholders in education to impart these values to our younger generation, we can create a bright and harmonious future for our society.”

The EOC strongly believes that racial inclusion in education is necessary, not only because it helps create a welcoming environment for people of all races, be they newcomers, visitors or our already racially diverse residents, but it is also essential for preparing our younger generation to be global citizens. The EOC first launched the Racially Friendly Campus Recognition Scheme in 2022/23 with the aim of inspiring schools to undertake student activities and publicity initiatives to promote racial equality and inclusion on campuses. The inaugural round drew the participation of 60 schools, and the figure of the second round completed in 2023/24 surged to over 150 schools, indicating the strong interest in this topic among schools.

In light of the enthusiastic feedback among schools, the EOC further expands the scheme in 2024/25, with additional elements included in the programme so as to boost the inculcation of the values of equal opportunities, mutual respect and inclusion in students starting from a young age. Three awards, namely the Racially Friendly Campus Star Champion Award, the Racial Diversity & Inclusion Teacher Partner Award, and the Racially Friendly Campus Activity Award of the Year, will be bestowed to schools and teachers making the extra effort in fulfilling the goals of the scheme. More information about the scheme can be found at the EOC website via this link.

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Equal Opportunities Commission
2 September 2024

The EOC’s “Racially Friendly Campus Recognition Scheme 2024/25” is now open for application.