Unison Hong Kong – for Ethnic Equality 香港融樂會 – 為種族平等 Chow Sau Fong Mar 18, 2005 HKCSS

Unison Hong Kong – for Ethnic Equality香港融樂會 –為種族平等Chow Sau FongMar 18, 2005HKCSS A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant. Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。

Good Practice Sharing 2005“Social Inclusion Practice on Fostering Social Integration of Ethnic Minorities”How advocacy works through media, partnership and others A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant. Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。

Characteristics of Ethnic Minorities • Ethnic Origins (Southern/Southeast Asians)(343,950 people, 5.1% in the whole population) • Spoken Languages (native languages, English, Cantonese) • Religious Belief • History in Hong Kong • Occupations • Education backgrounds • Social network A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant. Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。 A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant. Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。

Scenario in late 90s • School-less • Job-less • Poor • Drug abuse • Street-sleeping • Increasing Crime Rate • Lack of community support • Low community participation A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant. Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。 A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant. Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。

Structural Causes • Language Barrier, information blocks • Unequal education opportunities • Less employment opportunities • Racial discrimination, prejudice • Self-Defense • Only minority! Lack of bargaining power A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant. Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。 A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant. Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。

Unison Hong Kong…… • A NGO established in 2001 • Formed by a group of people (teachers, social workers, lawyers etc) who concerned with the problems and rights of ethnic minorities in Hong Kong • Run by 2 volunteer social workers • Not funded by government • Promote Ethnic Equality • Enhance public’s awareness on ethnic minorities issues A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant. Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。

Intervention Approach:- • Case advocacy • Media advocacy • Strategic Partnership • Consideration of community characteristics, our manpower, effectiveness and efficiency of the approaches • 『四兩撥千斤』 A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant. Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。 A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant. Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。

Media Advocacy:- • The strategic use of newsmaking through TV, radio and newspapers to promote public debate, and generate community support for changes in community norms and policies • a strategic partnership is a long-term, win-win commitment between two organizations for the purpose of achieving specific objectives by maximizing the effectiveness of each participant’s resources. A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant. Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。 A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant. Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。 Strategic partnership:-

Strategic Intervention Goals:- • Push the government to open the dialogue • Let public knowing that EM children were treated unfairly in education • Make some noise in public, let the invisible EM community became more “visible” • Empower the ethnic minorities (build their trust to society and the systems) A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant. Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。 A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant. Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。

Case 1:- school placement Issues: • Inadequate primary school places for EM children. Children waited several years for a school place. Scenario: • Primary schools refused to receive EM Children because of language barrier and other reasons • Some primary schools have to close down/ cut resource because they did not have enough P1 admission A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant. Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。 A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant. Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。

Planning for Media Advocacy • Gather information (facts) and cases • From individual case to collective problem • Issue framing: Unfair treatment of EM children in education • Gaining access to media: - start with personal network “Oriental Daily” - Then Ming Pao, SCMP , RTHK “Hong Kong Connection” A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant. Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。 A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant. Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。

Planning for Media Advocacy • Newsworthiness • Story telling:- suffering of children • Ironic practice:- some schools having vacancies but refuse to receive EM children • Policy loopholes:- compulsory education for HK children (most of them had permanent residence) • Controversy: education-- a basic rights of EM children? A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant. Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。 A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant. Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。

Development • ED was embarrassed. Initial response from HAB. • Identify partner/ lobbying: • schools, who is forced to closed down e.g. 油麻地街坊會小學, 閩僑, 道教聯會 • Opinion leaders, LegCo members, HRM etc., vocal educator, education concern groups • Institute: HKIE, HKU, conduct research Story research figures  quotes & comments from opinion leaders Government Response A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant. Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。 A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant. Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。

Case 2:- racial discrimination bill Scenario: • Discrimination by the HKSAR Government or public sector organisations has been outlawed since the enactment of the Bill of Rights in 1991 • No legal protection in private sectors. • Racial discriminations did exist in all walks of lives A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant. Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。 A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant. Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。

Planning for Media Advocacy • Gather information (facts) and cases in education , employments, use of social services etc. • From individual case to collective problem • Issue framing: - Racial discrimination existed in HK • Government has commitment to enact such legislation • Gaining access to media: • Mainly SCMP & Ming Pao which concerned more on human rights issues and more “middle-class’ oriented A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant. Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。 A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant. Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。

Planning for Media Advocacy • Identify partner:- • Institute: produce research e.g. HKU • Opinion Leaders:- LegCo members , Academic, Lawyer • Local Organizations concerns human rights issues • Ethnic Minority groups & leaders • Local NGOs • International connections: UNCESCR A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant. Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。 A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant. Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。

Other issues:- • Street sleeping • Drug abuse • Unemployment

Evaluation & reflections • Change in policy & practice esp. in education • Fasten the process of legislation • Process Goal: • Draw public attention to EM problems and live situations • Successfully embarrassed the Government and pushed them to response to EM’s problems • EM leaders/youth were empowered. They had more confidence in “the freedom of expression”. They learnt how to deal with “media” • Made international connections. A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant. Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。 A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant. Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。

Limitation & Difficulties • Expectation/ hidden agenda of media • Likes to report on sufferings rather than policy loopholes • Over-emphasize on the social worker’s image • Frame the “issue” or “story” differently • Void the relations with Government • Limitation in “visual” and “audio” bits • Negative consequences (even winning) on EM community • Changing goals, values and commitment of partners A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant. Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。 A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant. Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。

Tips • Be clear of your issues, your goals, target audience and message • Choose your media partner, understand the style of the publication. • Be proactive to sell your story. • Make a good media plan. • Always share your mission and passion with reporters. Let them see the injustice and unfairness over the whole issue. Invite them to be your volunteers, let them feel their lives. • Choose a good spokeperson. Always prepare “case” • Review the progress of the issues with partners from time to time. Get their trust and understanding. Share the success. Prior consensus in media work is needed. • Be consistent with agency policy, practice. Always informed your management • …….. A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragran t. Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。 A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant. Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。

Thank You! A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant. 玫瑰，不管換個甚麼名字，還是一樣的芬芳。 Humans, no matter what their colors are, have the same dignity. 人類，不論有著甚麼膚色，應有一樣的尊嚴。

Unison Hong Kong – for Ethnic Equality 香港融樂會 – 為種族平等 Chow Sau Fong Mar 18, 2005 HKCSS