EOC Members, Ferrick, Youth Ambassadors,

Good afternoon! It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to this year’s Equal Opportunity Youth Ambassador Scheme! First of all, congratulations on being selected for the Scheme. We have 55 Youth Ambassadors from 16 tertiary institutions joining this year, which is our largest cohort to date. What impresses me most about this record is not just the number. Instead, it’s a testament to the passion and unwavering commitment your generation brings to the cause of equal opportunities. As you are about to embark on your journey to grow as an advocate for diversity, equality, and inclusion, I would like to offer you five letters to help you make the most of the experiences ahead: YOUTH.

The first letter “Y” stands for Youthful energy. This is not just about age. It is about the fresh perspective, innovative ideas, and drive you all bring to change the status quo. You are here to inject this vitality into the conversation about equality and inclusion, seeing old issues with new eyes and harnessing your creativity to spark real, lasting change.

Next, prepare to cultivate your “O” – Open-minded spirit. Over the coming months, you will participate in workshops, visits, and experiential activities that show you different sides of our city. You will meet individuals from all walks of life, each with unique stories. I encourage you to stay open-minded and to appreciate diversity in all its forms and beauty.

This naturally leads to the letter “U” – Understanding. The Scheme will guide you towards a deeper understanding of why promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion matters to our society. Through interactions with individuals from diverse backgrounds, such as people with disabilities and people from diverse ethnic backgrounds, you will gain profound insights into equality issues and learn to recognise both visible and invisible barriers. I hope this understanding will inspire you to turn insights into actions.

Of course, this important work cannot be done alone. That is why you must prepare for “T” – Teamwork. Look around you. These are your fellow teammates for the journey ahead. You come from diverse backgrounds, each bringing unique strengths, perspectives and stories. I encourage you to seize every opportunity to learn from one another, collaborate, and build lasting connections. Together, you will amplify your impact far beyond any one could achieve alone.

Finally, and most importantly, remember to find “H” – Happiness. The pursuit of equality is deeply rewarding. You will discover joy in the friendships you make, the experiences you share, and the impact you create. I hope that this intrinsic sense of happiness and fulfillment will become one of your most cherished and precious takeaways from the Scheme.

Youthful energy, Open-minded spirit, Understanding, Teamwork, and Happiness – YOUTH – these are the five values I hope you will keep in mind over the next six months, and I’m excited to see what you will achieve on this journey.

Thank you again for joining the Equal Opportunity Youth Ambassador Scheme. Let’s work together to create a more equal, diverse and inclusive Hong Kong for all.

Thank you!