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EOC Celebrates 2017 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination with Public Event

12/03/2017

The “Equal Opportunities Diversity Project” public event took place at Kowloonbay International Trade & Exhibition Centre this afternoon (12 March 2017). Jointly organised by the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) and Radio Television Hong Kong Radio 2, the educational event was held to commemorate 2017 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD), and, riding on the occasion, to raise public awareness about racial inclusion and promote messages of equal opportunities.

The opening ceremony was performed by The Hon Stephen SUI, JP, Secretary for Labour and Welfare; The Hon Paul TSE Wai-chun, JP, Chairman of the Legislative Council Subcommittee on Rights of Ethnic Minorities; Mr Ronald CHAN Ngok-pang, JP, Under Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs; Professor Alfred CHAN Cheung-ming, SBS, JP, Chairperson of the EOC; and Ms Lisa LIU Lai-yee, Deputy Director of Broadcasting (Programmes).

Proclaimed by the United Nations in 1966, IDERD is observed on 21 March every year. It calls for efforts from the international community to build a world defined by justice and equality and free from xenophobia and biases. The EOC firmly believes that the ethnic minorities are an integral part of the Hong Kong community. By observing IDERD, the EOC appeals to the public to embrace diversity and respect all those who call Hong Kong home, regardless of their race, colour or creed.

EOC Chairperson Professor Alfred Chan Cheung-ming said, “The EOC is committed to promoting equality and eliminating discrimination. Since the Race Discrimination Ordinance was enacted, the EOC has been promoting and raising awareness about racial inclusion through publicity, education, and outreach activities. Today, we are excited to launch a new publicity campaign called ‘EMbRACE’.”

Professor Chan continued, “The word ‘EMbRACE’ includes the words ‘EM’, which stands for ethnic minorities, and ‘RACE’. Through this campaign, we want to cultivate the value of racial equality, and to mainstream concepts of diversity and inclusion. In short, we hope everyone will ‘respect, value and support racial equality’.”

The EOC will invite schools, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the business sector to participate in the campaign. Besides rolling out various programmes, including the production and screening of videos, talks and sharing, the EOC has set up a dedicated Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/embracecampaignbyeoc/) to share with the public videos, photos and other information about the EMbRACE campaign.

Professor Chan expressed, “If we want to promote racial inclusion and create equal opportunities as well as a better environment for the ethnic minorities, the EOC’s effort alone is not enough. Instead, we need the collective effort of everyone in society. I am very pleased that today’s event is attended and supported by many of the EOC’s friends and partners from different sectors, including representatives from the Government, consulates, the education, rehabilitation, and social service sectors, and concern groups. I hope you all find this a useful platform for communicating and exchanging ideas for fostering racial equality.”

Today’s celebration attracted the participation of about 200 guests, including Legislative Councillors, Government officials, Consuls-General, representatives from NGOs, and leaders and advocates from ethnic communities. In addition to talks and sharing on racial discrimination and equal opportunities, the event featured cultural and singing performances.


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Equal Opportunities Commission
12 March 2017

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