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Education
Children's Rights
The Children's Rights Forum (CRF) is a platform for children's organisations, children and the government to exchange views on matters that concern children. In 2014, the CRF will help the Family Council to assess the impact of government policies on the family by relaying to the council children's views on government initiatives expressed at the forum. To enhance understanding of children's rights enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Children's Rights Education Funding Scheme has supported non-government bodies to implement around 230 projects since its establishment in 2006.
Promotion of Racial Equality and Harmony
The Committee on the Promotion of Racial Harmony
The Committee on the Promotion of Racial Harmony was established in 2002 to advise the government on the promotion of racial harmony and equality, including provision of support services to ethnic minorities, and on proposals for race related public education and publicity. Secretariat support is provided by the Home Affairs Department's (HAD) Race Relations Unit.
Support Services for Ethnic Minorities
Since 2009, the government has commissioned non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to run four
support service centres for ethnic minorities to help them integrate into the community. In 2012, the HAD set up an additional support service centre and two sub-centres to provide various tailor-made learning classes, counselling and integration programmes. One of the centres also provides a free language interpretation service on the telephone to assist ethnic minorities in their use of public services. The HAD also sponsors two community support teams to provide special services for the ethnic minority groups through members of their own. communities. In addition, it funds radio programmes and publishes service guidebooks in a number of ethnic minority languages, implements the Harmony Scholarship Scheme recognising students' performance in school and community services (particularly activities promoting racial harmony) and provides other support services to meet the needs of ethnic minorities.
Since 2011, the HAD has put in place various initiatives to help ethnic minorities integrate into the community. These initiatives include the 'District-based Integration Programmes' to help ethnic minorities better understand Hong Kong and encourage them to participate in community activities through adaptation courses, mutual help networks and visits, etc. In addition, the 'Ambassador Scheme' arranges for persons with similar backgrounds and experiences to proactively reach out to ethnic minorities, introduce public services to them and make referrals to government departments where necessary.
Websites
Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau: www.cmab.gov.hk Education Bureau: www.edb.gov.hk
Home Affairs Bureau: www.hab.gov.hk
Home Affairs Department: www.had.gov.hk Race Relations Unit: www.had.gov.hk/rru/
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