Cover World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (May 21) is the opportunity to reflect on our own individual efforts at understanding those who are different from us (Photo: Getty Images)
World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (May 21) is the opportunity to reflect on our own individual efforts at understanding those who are different from us (Photo: Getty Images)
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In celebration of World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development on May 21, we round up five charities working to empower minorities and making the city a more inclusive place
As an international financial hub, Hong Kong is home to residents from diverse cultural backgrounds and ethnic groups—with many having established themselves in the city for generations. According to the 2021 Hong Kong census, non-Chinese ethnic groups make up about 8.4 per cent of the population, or about 620,000 residents. Diverse? Yes. Inclusive? Not so much. Some ethnic minority residents in Hong Kong are marginalised due to language barrier biases, according to the Equal Opportunities Commission—and these restrict their education and employment opportunities. This “perpetuates the vicious cycle of intergenerational poverty and restrict[s] their upward social mobility and full integration into society”, says the organisation.
On the occasion of the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development on May 21, Tatler takes a look at five charities who promote equality and inclusion for the city’s minority groups.
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1. Treats
Treats was founded in 1979 in response to the influx of Vietnamese refugees coming to Hong Kong. Out of concern for the well-being of children living in temporary camps, a group of private individuals started organising recreational outings—or “treats”—for these children to leave the overcrowded camps. The group soon expanded their programmes of promoting recreation and play to local children from underprivileged backgrounds and children with special educational needs (SEN). Today, Treats is focused on social inclusion, running programmes and sporting events combining education, life experiences and social exposure, for children and youth of all abilities and backgrounds.
2. The Zubin Foundation
Founded by Shalini Mahtani in 2014, The Zubin Foundation is an NGO that represents the interests of Hong Kong’s ethnic minorities and seeks to improve their lives. Mahtani believes that as long as racism exists where you live, it also exists in the workplace—a core function of the organisation is to provide racial equality training at schools and companies. In addition, the organisation also assists ethnic minorities directly with programmes covering therapy for children with SEN, jobs and scholarship for ethnic minorities, and help for women and girls in crisis.
3. Hong Kong Unison
Founded in 2001, Hong Kong Unison is an NGO committed to improve racial equality and equal opportunities for ethnic minorities in Hong Kong. The charity has a focus on education, with community outreach events and seminars within ethnic minority communities and the general public, support for Chinese language learning and youth development programmes to help future generations. Hong Kong Unison is also heavily involved in producing research reports on social issues related to ethnic minorities and lobbying on inclusive policies.
4. Resolve
Launched in 2017 by Victoria Wisniewski Otero (Gen.T 2019), Resolve provides fellowships to emerging leaders from marginalised and underrepresented groups, including refugees, asylum seekers, migrant ethnic minorities and sexual minorities in Hong Kong. The fellowship is five-month programme made up of workshops, social events and mentoring sessions to help these emerging leaders deepen their social impact projects. Every year, a different theme for the fellowship is explored. This year’s theme being: “Adding Life to Years: Upholding Dignity in Aging”.
“We want to build solidarity across movements. While most NGOs target a specific sub group, ours is about bringing them together,” Wisniewski Otero told Tatler in 2019. “We want people from very diverse backgrounds to collaborate on an issue they want to change.”
5. Grassroots Future
Founded by compliance-professional-turned-social-activist Tegan Smyth, Grassroots Future is a charity that started in 2016 as Table of Two Cities (TOTC), an initiative showcasing refugee stories told over food. Serving up delicious meals for participants, TOTC promotes thoughtful and meaningful interactions between refugees and non-refugees. Many of its programmes and activities are refugee-led and include elements of education for youths and adults, community outreach and engagement as well as mental wellbeing.
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Khoa Tran is Social Impact Editor at Tatler Hong Kong. He covers stories touching on sustainability, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and diversity. Trained as a lawyer, Khoa’s work as a writer had previously touched up topics such as regulatory compliance, ESG, and banking. Outside of the office, he enjoys rock climbing and relaxing in jazz clubs.
