Inclusivity in Hong Kong: The Plight of Ethnic Minorities
VIEW EVENT DETAILSFacebook and Zoom Live Webinar
Thursday, October 22, 2020
Program 14:30, Close 15:30 (HK Time / GMT +8)
These past few months, global news has been dominated by the racial injustice and inequality present in America. But how does racial inequality present itself in Hong Kong? Ethnic minorities, excluding foreign domestic workers, make up about 3.4% of Hong Kong’s 7.5 million population. This group of individuals are a growing community with talented skills and diverse backgrounds, however, their integration into society still face many hurdles that include racial discrimination, language barriers, and widespread poverty. With 32.5% of children living in poverty and a 64.5% labor workforce participation rate, ethnic minorities are finding it incredibly tough to find employment, and in return, lift themselves out of poverty. In a collaboration with the Zubin Foundation and Hong Kong Unison, the Asia Society Hong Kong Center seeks to address and understand the reality ethnic minorities’ face, but most importantly, have an honest conversation on the importance of building diversity and inclusion, and how it can bring together and advance Hong Kong society as a whole.
Shalini Mahtani is one of Hong Kong’s most authoritative and respected voices on social issues, particularly diversity and inclusion. In addition to founding The Zubin Foundation, Shalini is the founder of Community Business, the first organization in Asia that brings together companies and their management around women, LGBT and disabilities at work. In 2009, Shalini was honored by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader, and a year prior she was awarded an MBE from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for her services in corporate social responsibility in Hong Kong. She was also recognised by the HKSAR Government for her contribution to issues related to ethnic minorities in Hong Kong.
About The Zubin Foundation
The Zubin Foundation is a think tank and charity that works to improve the lives of Hong Kong’s marginalized ethnic minorities by providing opportunities and reducing suffering. The Zubin Foundation achieves their goal by conducting research to understand the issues, developing and implementing projects, and influencing public policy to drive systemic change.
Phyllis Cheung is the Executive Director of Hong Kong Unison. Phyllis leads Hong Kong Unison to lobby for a racially inclusive and equitable education for ethnic minority children of Hong Kong. Prior to joining Hong Kong Unison in 2014, Phyllis worked for international NGO’s on disaster response and community development with extensive experience working with communities and civil society organizations in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
About Hong Kong Unison
Hong Kong Unison is a non-governmental organization founded to uphold racial equality and the rights of Hong Kong’s ethnic minority residents. Hong Kong Unison’s main focus is policy advocacy, and also operates direct services such as outreach, parent groups, scholarships, and life planning programs for ethnic minority youth.
Puja Kapai is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law, Convener of the Women’s Studies Research Centre and Director of the Social Justice Summer Internship at the University of Hong Kong (HKU). An expert in international human rights law, minority rights, and intersectional legal studies, she focuses on the rights of communities marginalized on the grounds of gender, race, religion, sexuality, and citizenship. Her recent work includes a study on the experiences and help-seeking behaviors of ethnic minority victims of domestic violence, and a comprehensive report on the Status of Ethnic Minorities in Hong Kong 1997-2014. Professor Kapai has recently been awarded for her contribution to teaching, research, and the community-based impact of her work with the American Chamber of Commerce’s Women of Influence Professional Woman of the Year Award 2019.
ASHK Members can register to receive a zoom link:
https://ticketing.asiasociety.org.hk/Index?eventId=a0l2v000009PHWO
In Partnership with: