The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) hosted a visit from the China Disabled Persons’ Federation (CDPF) on 8 November 2024 (Friday). The delegation met with the EOC management team and held in-depth exchanges on the welfare of people with disabilities and efforts to promote equal opportunities. From 9 to 10 November, EOC Chairperson Ms Linda LAM Mei-sau led a delegation comprised of EOC staff members to participate in the Third Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Exchange Forum on Synergistic Promotion of Disability Rights and Services held at Shenzhen University, deepening collaboration with Mainland organisations on the promotion of equal opportunities and the rights of people with disabilities.

Last Friday, Mr CHENG Kai, Chairperson of the CDPF, led a delegation to visit the EOC to meet and exchange experience with the EOC Chairperson and the EOC management team. Ms Lam expressed a warm welcome to Mr Cheng and his team. She shared milestones the EOC has achieved since its establishment in the areas of law enforcement, research, policy advocacy and public education, including the recent Award Ceremony of the first Universal Design Award Scheme.

The CDPF delegation introduced their role as an organisation for people with disabilities by acting as the “representative”, “service provider” and “administrator” for them, and explained how they protect their legal rights. Both parties expressed a desire to maintain close ties in the future, and work together to create a more inclusive and friendly social environment for people with disabilities.

In addition, the EOC Chairperson and 16 staff members, along with Mr Cheng and several CDPF representatives, participated in the Third Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Exchange Forum on Synergistic Promotion of Disability Rights and Services at Shenzhen University from 9 to 10 November. The forum was co-hosted by China Disability Research Society and Shenzhen University, and the EOC was one of the supporting organisers. The theme focused on exploring innovative pathways and strategies for disability services. Over 300 people attended the event and engaged in discussions, including representatives from the CDPF, Guangdong Provincial Disabled Persons’ Federation, Disabled Persons’ Federations from nine cities in the Pearl River Delta, as well as experts, academics, professionals from disability service groups and organisations promoting disability affairs in Hong Kong, Macau, and the Greater Bay Area.

In her speech at the forum, Ms Lam said, “This year marks the second time the EOC has participated in the Greater Bay Area Exchange Forum on Synergistic Promotion of Disability Rights and Services. It is encouraging to see personnel from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau gathering again to discuss the development of disability services in the Greater Bay Area. We hope that the EOC and Mainland organisations can implement the directive from Article 27 of the Third Plenary Session’s Resolution, which is to deepen exchanges, strengthen cooperation, and improve the harmonisation of rules and mechanisms.”

The two-day forum included keynote sharings, parallel forums, and visits to Dongguan’s rehabilitation education base and care centre. EOC representatives introduced the procedures for handling disability discrimination complaints and conducting conciliation in keynote speeches, and discussed the EOC’s efforts to promote universal design in a parallel forum.

- End -

The delegation of China Disabled Persons’ Federation visited the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) last Friday (8 November 2024) to meet with the EOC management team. Both parties discussed and exchanged ideas on the work of promoting the equal opportunities of people with disabilities.

Ms Linda LAM Mei-sau, Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission (right) presented a souvenir to Mr CHENG Kai, Chairperson of the China Disabled Persons’ Federation (left).

Ms Linda LAM Mei-sau, Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) (centre) and the EOC staff attended the 3rd Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Exchange Forum on Synergistic Promotion of Disability Rights and Services held at Shenzhen University from 9 to 10 November 2024.

Ms Linda LAM Mei-sau, Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission delivered a speech at the Third Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Exchange Forum on Synergistic Promotion of Disability Rights and Services.