A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant

Presentation on theme: "A rose, no matter how its name is changed, is still fragrant"— Presentation transcript:

1 Unison Hong Kong – for Ethnic Equality 香 港 融 樂 會 – 為 種 族 平 等 Chow Sau Fong Mar 18, 2005 HKCSS
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 。

2 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 。

3 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 。

4 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 。

5 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 。

6 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 。

7 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 。

8 Strategic partnership:-
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 。 Strategic partnership:-

9 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 。

10 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 。

11 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 。

12 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 。

13 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 。

14 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 。

15 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 。

16 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 。

17 Other issues:- Street sleeping Drug abuse Unemployment

18 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 。

19 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 。

20 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.

21 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 。