IInclusive Education and Employment – Business-School Partnership Program
Successfully organized awards ceremony and idea exchange session
Promoting future inclusion in the workplace and improved employment opportunities for people with disabilities
HONG KONG, November 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — The Jockey Club Collaborative Project for Inclusive Employment: Inclusive Education and Employment – Business-School Partnership Program Awards Ceremony and Ideas Exchange Session Aims to Create a Platform -form that brings together resources, knowledge and skills for representatives of the business sector and mainstream schools to facilitate networking and cross-sector collaboration. The Center for Civil Society and Governance (CCSG) of University of Hong Kong (HKU) previously launched the Inclusive Education and Employment Awards Program – Businesses and Schools (the Program) under the Jockey Club Collaborative Project for Inclusive Employment (the Project), which is funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. Through knowledge exchange sessions, organization visits and interactive experiential workshops, the program helps businesses understand how people with disabilities can bring value to business operations by building on the growing wave most popular “environmental, social and governance” (ESG) and for the education sector to learn more about labor market trends. It also aspires to encourage collaborations between the business sector and mainstream schools implementing integrated education to develop career planning services more suitable for students with special educational needs (SEN), in order to improve their employability, to promote an inclusive work culture and the development of social inclusion. .
To recognize the efforts of businesses and community partners in supporting inclusive employment, the Inclusive Education and Employment Program – Business and Schools Award Ceremony and Ideas Exchange Session was held and chaired by Mr. Chris SUN, JP, Secretary for Labor and Welfare, Labor and Social Protection Bureau, HKSARG, Ms. Imelda CHAN, Head of Charities (Healthy Community), The Hong Kong Jockey Club and the Professor Wai-fung LAM, Director of CCSG-HKU. Representatives from program support organizations, including Mr. Ivan IP, School Development Officer, Business-School Partnership Program, Education Bureau, HKSARG, Mr. Siu-kan CHAN, Senior Education Officer of the Student Guidance and Counseling Section, Tung Wah Group of Hospitals. , Dr. Kevin LAU, MH, JP, President of the Hong Kong Institute of Small and Medium Enterprise Development, and the project’s NGO partners were also invited.
During the event, Professor Wai-fung LAM, Director of CCSG-HKU, highlighted the enduring commitment of the Jockey Club Collaborative Project for Inclusive Employment to promote inclusive employment through concrete actions since its launch, noting: “Today’s event vividly demonstrates how ‘one plus one is greater than two’ – articulating the importance of establishing this collaborative platform as part of the work of the university. Contemporary societal challenges require collective efforts, where stakeholders synergize and complement each other. Such collaboration not only generates shared benefits and mutual success, but also collectively contributes to maximizing societal value and strengthening social connections.
Mr. Chris SUN, JP, Secretary for Labor and Social Welfare, Labor and Social Welfare Bureau, HKSARG, who presided and presented the awards, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all participating organizations for organizing this meaningful event to raise awareness of people with disabilities and encourage employers across all sectors to actively hire people with disabilities. I hope that all sectors of society can work together to promote equal and inclusive employment and, together, build a caring society that embraces a culture of inclusion of people with disabilities. “
Ms. Imelda CHAN, Head of Charity (Healthy Community) at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said that “Promoting a healthy community is one of the priority areas of the club’s charitable strategy. The club attaches great importance to supporting people with disabilities. We hope to leverage concerted efforts across different sectors to strengthen support for people with disabilities and their caregivers, and explore future opportunities for them, thereby laying the foundation for sustainable development.
After the speeches, the official guests presented awards to the program winners, which included various businesses, educational institutions and other contributing organizations. Once again, they expressed their sincere gratitude to partners from diverse backgrounds for their unwavering support and active involvement in the program. Their collective efforts have opened doors for people with disabilities, enabling them to realize their potential, thereby achieving sustainable development and helping to create an inclusive society.
The event also included the launch ceremony of the ‘Inclusive Job Market Expo 2023’, a three-day initiative designed to encourage individuals from all backgrounds to explore and appreciate the potential and value of people disabled people from various backgrounds. By exchanging ideas and sharing experiences, the event aimed to foster collaboration and advance inclusive local employment opportunities.
The event, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Arts with Disabilities Association, featured a remarkable performance by Ms. Christine LAU, who, despite having mild Down syndrome, has extensive experience as a performer. Her modern dance piece, titled “Glow Beyond Limits,” was a powerful testament to the idea that imperfections and disabilities do not prevent individuals from leading rich, fulfilling lives and realizing their limitless aspirations through resilience and dedication.
The awards ceremony was followed by an ideas exchange session. Two guest speakers, including Ms. Dorothy LAU, Senior Director, Environment and Social Responsibility – Insights & Communications, MTR Corporation and Ms. Shun-Lai YANG, Senior Director, Vocational Training Office for Persons with Disabilities (VTPDO), VTC, shared their experiences in implementing various projects aimed at promoting social inclusion in the business sector and respectively discussed the opportunities and challenges in providing vocational training to persons with disabilities.
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Collaborative project SOURCE Jockey Club for inclusive employment
