Ary (Mr Ary Laufer, Regional Director Asia WISE Employment),

John (Mr John Bateup, Founder of WISE and Board Member of WISE),

Loic (Mr Loic Andre, Country Manager of WISE),

Distinguished guests and friends,

Good afternoon.

Thank you for inviting me here today. It gives me great pleasure to celebrate this momentous occasion with you all. First of all, let me congratulate the WISE Employment team for all the work you have done in realising your incredibly bold vision and stepping up to champion for a highly meaningful cause. So, a big round of applause for all of you!

As I’m sure you all know, solving the talent crunch is one of the most pressing challenges we are facing in Hong Kong. Trawling for talent has rightly become a central focus for the Government, as maintaining a competitive workforce is essential for the long-term development of our city. But as we work to transform Hong Kong into a magnet for global talent, we mustn’t forget about the diverse pool of talent right on our doorstep, which includes the disability community.

There is no question that the disability community here is rich with highly talented and skilled candidates. The increasing number of tertiary students with disabilities or special educational needs is a testament to the fact that what they need most are opportunities to fulfil their potential. Yet, persistent stereotypes, biases, and misconceptions still prevent many employers from recognising the valuable contributions these candidates can bring to businesses and organisations.

According to official figures, the employment rate of persons with disabilities is three times lower than that of the general population. Our own research also shows that while over 80% of employers say they are willing to hire individuals with disabilities with post-secondary education, over half of them were concerned about the costs of providing accommodation and training for these candidates.

Giving opportunities to individuals with disabilities to participate in the workplace should not be seen as an act of charity or an obligation. Instead, there’s a clear business case for employers to actively recruit these individuals to join their organisations. Research consistently shows that a diverse workforce makes organisations more agile and resilient. The broad range of perspectives diversity fosters also enhances innovation and creativity.

The opening of WISE Employment comes at a pivotal moment, shining a spotlight on the talent, passion, and skills of a community that has been overlooked for far too long. As Nelson Mandela said: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” By educating and shaping the community’s perception of talents with diverse abilities, your work will change the lives of so many individuals, empowering them to fulfil their potential through meaningful employment. More importantly, you will be spearheading a wider cultural change that perceives disabilities not as a problem, but as a positive attribute of a candidate.

Thank you once again for inviting me here today. I wish you all great success as you work to make your vision and mission a reality.