Hindu Sports Day
Organised by Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, Hong Kong
平等機會委員會主席陳章明教授致辭 (只備英文版)
Mr Laungani, sports lovers, ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon. Thank you for having me here today.
It's my first time at the Hindu Sports Day and I’m already feeling enlivened by the endless energy around here. Your smiley faces and excited cheers have awaken the sporty spirit in me, though I'm sure any one of you could beat me down in any race any day.
Sports is a magical thing. The Winter Olympics has miraculously brought two Koreas together, but of course, meaningful interaction between seemingly disparate cultures isn't always nurtured through spectacular contests; a football game after school, or a running match with the kids next door, may well offer an opportunity to connect with people we consider strangers at first sight.
Indeed, accepting difference and embracing diversity is a core value of our pluralistic city. Making up nearly 8% of the population, our fellow non-Chinese citizens – whether newcomers or those who have taken roots in Hong Kong – have continued to enrich our cultural landscape and contributed to the development of our society. In particular, Hong Kong has had a long history of having the Hindu community being part of us. We've had the privilege of learning about your colourful traditions, and the fortune of benefiting from your hard work. No doubt, our pursuit of inclusiveness and integration is an ongoing one, but the vibrancy and diversity is right here, thanks to you.
At the Equal Opportunities Commission, we are committed to transforming that diversity into inclusion, prejudice into understanding, and discrimination into an inclusive environment for everyone, regardless of their gender, race, marital and family status. And we've made it a priority to promote racial integration and to advance the rights of ethnic minorities in Hong Kong, in the light of entrenched barriers to equal access to education, employment and services. In fact, we've rolled out a citywide campaign this month to do just that – from MTR ads to public performances to talks targeted at schools and businesses, we are driving home precisely the message of racial inclusion and honouring the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on the 21st of March.
In many ways, advocating inclusiveness is like playing sports – it’s about competing equally and fairly, and often times it's a team effort. Starting today, we're all part of the same team, in working towards integration, in creating unity amid variety, and in pursuing a full thriving life.
Thanks again for inviting me. Now, on your mark, get set, and enjoy the rest of this wonderful day!