The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) launched its first youth mentorship programme entitled "Career Challenge" today (22 September 2002) at Cityplaza, Tai Koo Shing. The programme to be held during October and November 2002 aims to break down barriers formed by stereotyping, which often limits career choices for young women and men. 40 secondary schools will participate in this EOC programme.


The EOC is proud to announce the following list of mentors who have agreed to join the Commission in breaking down barriers for the younger generation. Serving as the mentors are Ms Mabel CHEUNG, Film Director; The Hon Audrey EU Yuet-mee, Legislative Councilor; The Hon Rita FAN HSU Lai-tai, President, Legislative Council; Prof Stevenson FUNG, Professor, Department of Physics, The University of Hong Kong; The Hon Emily LAU Wai-hing, Legislative Councilor; Mr Danny LAW, Department Operations Manager (Senior Nursing Officer), Accident and Emergency Department, Queen Mary Hospital; Ms Jacqueline LAW, Artiste; Dr LO Chi-kin, Public Affairs Consultant; Mr Warren MOK, Opera Singer and Artistic Director of the Macau International Music Festival; Mr Willy TSAO, Artistic Director, City Contemporary Dance Company; and Ms YIP Wing-sie, Music Director, Hong Kong Sinfonietta.


The EOC's "Career Challenge" mentorship programme follows a comprehensive research on stereotyping, "Baseline Survey on Students' Attitude Towards People with a Disability and Gender Stereotypes and Family Roles" which was undertaken by the Commission earlier this year. More than 8,000 students in Primary 4, Form 1, Form 4 and Form 6 participated in the survey. The study found that occupational stereotyping was extremely prevalent among both male and female students. Childhood education, nursing, fine arts and dancing were thought by students to be jobs appropriate for girls, whilst careers in science, IT, engineering, sports and technical work were perceived as boys' professions. Results also showed that gender division in the students' perceptions was distinct and perceptions towards persons with a disability often lacked balance.


To eliminate these stereotypical attitudes and to widen career choices for students, our 11 mentors from a wide spectrum of professions will connect with one hundred Form 2 and 3 students in the EOC’s "Career Challenge". After participating in an essay-writing contest, successful candidates will be divided into small groups to attend a half-day session with a mentor to observe him/her at work in the coming two months.


Today's launching ceremony, which also served as the Commission's sixteenth roadshow, this time in the Eastern District, was officiated by Ms Shelley LEE Lai-kuen, Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs and Ms Anna WU, Chairperson of the EOC. They were joined by the mentors of "Career Challenge", including Ms Mabel CHEUNG, The Hon Audrey EU Yuet-mee, The Hon Emily LAU Wai-hing, Ms Jacqueline LAW and Dr LO Chi-kin, to share their views on stereotyping with the audience.


Speaking at the ceremony, Ms Anna WU said, "Today, our young people are equipped to enjoy greater career and life choices. The "Career Challenge" programme opens doors for our young participants by allowing them to witness their mentors at work. These young people will soon recognize that their horizons should not be limited by stereotypical assumptions. In order to realize their full potential, they should explore a wide variety of subjects and consider their career choices based on interest and ability."


The general public will be able to learn more about the “Career Challenge” mentorship programme through the EOC website (http://www.eoc.org.hk) from September to November.

Enquiry: EOC Hotline 25118211