The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) announced a Year 2003 educational initiative today (12 March 2003) by launching a new TV docu-drama series on discriminatory cases, entitled "A Mission for Equal Opportunities" (非常平等任務). Produced by Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), the 8 episodes will be broadcast on TVB Jade Channel every Friday from 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. beginning 14 March, 2003.


Speaking at a news conference, Ms. Anna WU Hung-yuk, Chairperson of the EOC, said, "Discrimination is often based on pure perception and prejudice. This is especially true for the stigmatization that is attached to persons with mental illness and children with special needs. In this new educational TV series, we have highlighted discrimination against people with mental illness, students with specific learning difficulties and pregnant women. We have also explored issues in insurance practices that might cause discrimination, and the problems of accessibility in Hong Kong for people with disabilities. We hope to bring out the need to build social and physical environments that are accessible for all."


The 8-episode docu-drama series, comprising different stories of sex discrimination, disability discrimination and family status discrimination, is based on real-life cases. The programme will feature analysis of discriminatory acts and the legal perspective of equal opportunity issues. Interviews with complainants will also enable audiences to share real life experiences of discrimination. The series explores some possible solutions in circumstances where a person is being discriminated against.


"Public education is a long-term process which calls for the participation of the general public and the support of the media. We are very pleased to be working with RTHK in producing this educational programme. The docu-drama series is a major public education initiative undertaken by the EOC to enhance public awareness and understanding of the anti-discrimination legislation in 2003," said Ms. WU.


Ms. WU continued, "Negative mindset can be extremely pervasive and damaging to integration in the community. We are aiming at cultivating positive attitudes and traditional prejudices especially in the younger generation should not be encouraged. A key strategy is to integrate equal opportunities concepts in the school curriculum and to train teachers who coach the students on a day-to-day basis." She said that the EOC was planning a "Project to Integrate Equal Opportunity Principles into the School Curriculum," and developing an “E-Learning Package for Teachers on Equal Opportunities in Education.


In an effort to gauge public response to the series, EOC Officers will man a hotline after each episode from 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. beginning every Friday, from 14 March 2003 through 2 May 2003. A "Blackboard Message" will also be set up on the RTHK Educational Television (ETV) website. Members of the public are welcome to call the EOC Hotline at 2511-8211 or visit the ETV website at www.eTVonline.tv to air their comments on the programme or ask questions about equal opportunity issues. The programme can also be viewed on the EOC and ETV websites at http://www.eoc.org.hk and www.rthk.org.hk.


Equal Opportunities Ambassador, popular singer Mr. HUI Chi-on, and other celebrities were also present at the news conference to promote the launching of the TV series.


Enquiry: EOC Hotline 25118211