一直以來，少數族裔群體無疑是香港社會不可或缺的一部份，也是香港社會重要及寶貴的持份者。PRAISE計劃採取自下而上、以家庭為基礎的模式，鼓勵不同年齡層的少數族裔透過不同的方式為自己、為族群、及為社區帶來改變，從而達至充權。少數族裔不再只是接受服務，他們反而更積極地參與其中，成為推動香港多元及共融文化的一員。rnrn社聯夥拍香港聖公會麥理浩夫人中心以及元朗大會堂，以「敢想‧敢變」為主題，於2024年3月2日假中環街市舉辦PRAISE成果展，期望彰顯少數族裔努力融入香港和所帶來的貢獻被看見。活動邀請到嘉道理慈善基金會總裁Peter Paul de Groote 先生、平等機會委員會主席朱敏健先生及一眾嘉賓共同見證計劃中具傑出表現的青年領袖與及模範家庭的成長。當日不論是主禮嘉賓或少數族裔的分享，不約而同地提到彼此有著共同的願景，共創一個更共融，讓每個人都能夠發展潛力，能實現夢想的社會。rnrn短片分享rnrn參與計劃的少數族裔是帶動轉變的推動者。短片中邀請了不同的青年領袖與及模範家庭，分享他們如何透過不同的方式，為族群和社區帶來的改變和期望，以實現共融。rnrn點擊觀看片段rnrn獎狀頒贈儀式rnrn是次的獎狀開放予參加者自行選擇設計及顏色，藉此帶出多元文化的訊息，同時寓意任何人都是可以選擇，為自己的未來及理想，選擇合適的道路。rnrn計劃成功培育60多位青年領袖，及70多個模範家庭，其中80位有傑出表現的青年領袖及模範家庭於當日獲頒獎狀，表揚他們的積極參與，並向參加者展示計劃第一階段所取得的成果。rnrn青年領袖們的對話rnrn一群青年領袖的對談，不論是司儀或是受訪的領袖，都是計劃中有突出表現的一員，大家都了解彼此的背景，分享時更容易表達心中所想，令參與者留下深刻的印象。rnrn青年領袖們都不約而同地表示他們很高興可以透過PRAISE認識好多有共同興趣的好朋友，透過不同的活動例如是賣旗籌款、電影欣賞，又或是組織隊伍參加球類比賽，大家都在過程中建立了一份珍貴的友誼。rnrn或許大家對少數族裔特別是文化有不同的理解或想法，在少數族裔努力學習本地的文化，融入香港之外，各位青年領袖都期望其他的社會持份者都可以主動認識少數族裔的文化，透過互相了解，減少誤解和促進交流。rnrn模範家庭的分享rnrn相比起青年領袖，模範家庭的分享比較著重於參加計劃後對家庭所帶來的改變。父母們都對PRAISE對其家庭的支援表示感激，譬如是子女在課堂外的功課輔導、又或是專為媽媽而設的一些興趣班或親子工作坊，都有助他們融入本地的生活。rnrn2F展覽rnrn你曾想過任何人也有機會成為少數族裔嗎?視乎你身處何地！為何有少數？因為有相對的大多數!rnrn典禮同日在中環街市2樓24小時行人通道舉行「少數族裔適應、融入與種族共融計劃」展覽。參與計劃的少數族裔朋友，透過畫作呈現他們在香港的經歷及願景。同時，亦有展品介紹少數族裔的文化。rnrn另外，展覽亦安排了少數族裔青年擔任導賞員，讓他們能向公眾自豪地介紹少數族裔的文化。rnrn樂隊表演rnrn音樂是沒有疆界的，一個嘉年華在音樂的襯托下可以令到氣氛更為熾熱。看到台上表現者享受的表情與及樂隊隊員們之間的默契，我們不難發現音樂的確是除文字以外拉近人與人之間距離的最佳方法。rnrn文化攤位體驗rnrn攤位全由香港聖公會麥理浩夫人中心及元朗大會堂帶領一眾青年領袖所營運，讓公眾人士可了解及親自體驗少數族裔的文化藝術。攤位內容包括以烏都語繪製行李牌、曼海蒂人體彩繪藝術、繪製曼陀羅點印杯墊及編織繩結。很多本地的家庭，尤其是小朋友都參與其中，在青年領袖的指導下，親手創造自己喜歡的圖案和飾物，在創作中體現共融。rnrn是次活動不但是計劃階段性的小總結，而且更見證了一群青年領袖在計劃之下茁壯成長。由一開始作為被動的參加者，隨著時間的推移及經驗的累積，轉化成為帶領的角色，繼而成為族群與社區的橋樑，連結家人、朋友一同齊與更多的活動，主動地融入社區；另一方面，透過青年領袖們及模範家庭的分享，我們亦樂於見到他們透過不同的渠道，如音樂、運動、藝術創作等，與很多本地人建立聯繫。rnrn請按此瀏覽活動相簿

Ethnic minority groups have always been an integral part of Hong Kong society and they are regarded as the valuable stakeholders. The PRAISE project adopts a bottom-up, family-based model to encourage ethnic minorities of different ages to bring changes not limited to themselves but also to their ethnic groups and communities. They are achieving empowerment. Ethnic minorities are no longer the service receivers, they actively participate and have become a part of Hong Kong’s diverse and inclusive culture.

The Hong Kong Council of Social Service has partnered with the Hong Kong S.K.H. Lady MacLehose Centre and Yuen Long Town Hall to organize a PRAISE finale at the Central Market on March 2, 2024, with the theme of “Dream Big, Make Change”, hoping to highlight the efforts of ethnic minorities and make their contributions seen to the society. The event invited Mr. Peter Paul de Groote (Director of the Kadoorie Charitable Foundation), Mr. Ricky Chu Man Kin (Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission) and other guests to witness the growth of outstanding youth leaders and model families in the program. Both the officiating guests and the ethnic minorities also shared a common vision to co-create a more inclusive society where everyone can develop their potentials and fulfill their dreams.

Video Highlights

Participating minorities are agents of changing. In the video, youth leaders and model families share their ways to make changes in the society in order to achieve inclusion.

Click to view the video highlights

Certificate Ceremony

Each certificate is unique that it is up to the project ambassadors to choose their favorite design and color in order to convey the message that everyone has the choice to pave their own path for the future.

The program has cultivated more than 60 youth leaders and 70 model families. Among them, 80 outstanding youth leaders and model families received the certificates on the day to commend their active participation and demonstrate what they have achieved in the first phase of the program.

The Youth Leaders’ Dialogue

In the dialogue, whether the youth leaders as the emcee or interviewees, they were all outstanding members of the program. Everyone was familiar with the background of the program, making it easier for them to express their thoughts during the sharing session. The participants were impressed for this dialogue.

The youth leaders coincidentally shared their happiness to meet many good friends with common interests. Through various activities like flag selling to raise fund, watching movies or forming teams in ball games, a precious friendship has been built up.

Maybe the majority of the society is having different understandings or ideas towards ethnic minorities, especially their culture. In addition to ethnic minorities working hard to learn the local culture and to integrate themselves to be part of Hong Kong, the youth leaders wish the other social stakeholders can also take the initiative to understand the culture of the ethnic minorities. With mutual understanding, the communication can be further enhanced.

The Sharing of Model Families

Unlike the youth leaders, the sharing of model families focuses on the changes brought to their families after participating in the program. Parents are grateful for PRAISE’s support to their families, such as homework tutoring for their children after school, some interest classes or parent-child workshops specially designed for mothers. All the measures are also helpful for their social inclusion.

2F Exhibition Hall

Have you ever thought of anyone having a chance to be a minority? It depends on where you are! The reason why you are of a few is mainly because there is a relative majority!

Alongside with the ceremony, an exhibition on the “Adaptation, Integration and Racial Inclusion Plan for Ethnic Minorities” was held at the 24-hour pedestrian walkway on the second floor of the Central Market. The youth leaders and model families participating in the project made use of paintings to share what they experienced and how they view Hong Kong as a place of living. At the same time, there are also exhibits introducing the culture of ethnic minorities.

In addition, youth leaders also served as docents to introduce the culture of ethnic minorities to the public.

Band Show Performance

Music is of no boundaries. The atmosphere of the carnival was getting intense with the music. The enjoyable faces and the tacit understanding among the band members indicated music is indeed the best way to shorten the distance between people besides wordings.

Cultural Booth Experience

The booths were operated by the young leaders of Hong Kong S.K.H. Lady MacLehose Centre and Yuen Long Town Hall. The booth experience enabled the public to understand and experience the culture and art of ethnic minorities. The content included luggage tag painting in Urdu, Mehndi body painting, Mandala coaster painting and knot weaving. Many local families with children participated. Under the guidance of youth leaders, the children could handmade their favorite patterns and ornaments. It also gave an expression of social inclusion.

This Finale was not only a brief summary of PRAISE, it also witnessed a group of young leaders thriving in these three years. From being a passive participant at the very beginning, with the passage of time and the accumulation of experience, he was capable to pick up the leadership role and to bridge between the ethnic group and the community. The youth leaders have connected their families and motivated their friends to participate in more activities and thus to integrate into the community; On the other hand, through the sharing of young leaders and model families, we are also happy to see that connection with local community has been built up through different channels such as music, sports, artistic creation etc.

Please click here for more photos of the event day