Diversity and Inclusion Arts Festival Launches, Celebrating Artistic Talents of Persons with Disabilities

2025-03-25 20:47 Last Updated At：20:58

Opening ceremony of Diversity and Inclusion Arts Festival and Diverse Abilities · Inclusive Workplace Recognition Scheme held today

The Labour and Welfare Bureau (LWB) held the opening ceremony of the Diversity and Inclusion Arts Festival and Diverse Abilities · Inclusive Workplace Recognition Scheme today (March 25) at the Tea House Theatre of the West Kowloon Cultural District Xiqu Centre. The Arts Festival provides a platform for persons with disabilities (PWDs) to showcase their artistic talents, while the Recognition Scheme aims to foster the development of their diverse talents and encourage support of the community to inclusive workplaces, with an aim to sprinkling positivity to the society through caring and inclusivity.

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Opening ceremony of Diversity and Inclusion Arts Festival and Diverse Abilities · Inclusive Workplace Recognition Scheme held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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Opening ceremony of Diversity and Inclusion Arts Festival and Diverse Abilities · Inclusive Workplace Recognition Scheme held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun; the Vice Chairperson of the Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong (ADAHK), Ms Grace Cheng; Head of Charities (Healthy Community) of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Ms Imelda Chan; the Commissioner for Rehabilitation of LWB, Mr Fletch Chan; the Vice-Chairman of the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee (RAC), Dr Kevin Lau; the Chairman of the RAC Sub-committee on Employment, Mr Alvin Miu; and the Assistant Director of Social Welfare (Rehabilitation and Medical Social Services), Mr David Ng, officiated at the ceremony. Representatives of various participating organisations also attended. Artists with disabilities presented music and dance performances at the opening ceremony fostering an inclusive community through arts.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Sun expected that the artistic talents of PWDs could be showcased through the Arts Festival. He encouraged them to pursue excellence and aim for professional development. Mr Sun said that PWDs possess exceptional capabilities in various fields and expressed the hope that the Arts Festival would draw greater attention across the community to the abilities of PWDs. At the same time, he called on enterprises to provide more employment opportunities for PWDs to develop their potential, thereby achieving an inclusive workplace. Mr Sun also appealed to the community to actively participate in the Diversity and Inclusion Arts Festival and the "Caring Employer" Medal Design Competition under the Diverse Abilities · Inclusive Workplace Recognition Scheme.

Co-organised by LWB and ADAHK, and in collaboration with the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong, various government departments, social welfare organisations and other institutions, the Diversity and Inclusion Arts Festival presents a series of inclusive arts activities, including arts exhibition, inclusive concert, stage play, arts bazaar, inclusive arts workshops, as well as an information booth on diverse abilities and inclusive workplace, from now until April 5. For more details of the event, please visit the website of ADAHK (www.adahk.org.hk/?a=doc&id=5841).

To commend employers who actively engage and support PWDs and foster inclusive workplaces, LWB will launch the Diverse Abilities · Inclusive Workplace Recognition Scheme on the basis of the existing Talent-Wise Employment Charter, and collaborate with the Jockey Club Collaborative Project for Inclusive Employment funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust to jointly take forward the "Caring Employer" medal. The medal will feature different categories, covering large corporations, small and medium enterprises, and social enterprises/public organisations, etc. Details will be announced in April, and applications from enterprises and organisations will be accepted by then. To allow the public to participate in the Diverse Abilities · Inclusive Workplace Recognition Scheme and raise awareness of the diverse abilities of PWDs, LWB has also launched the "Caring Employer" Medal Design Competition today, to invite members of the public, students and PWDs, who are interested in design, to participate. For more details of the Competition, please visit LWB website (www.lwb.gov.hk/en/highlights/charter_scheme/s4.html).

Chan Kin-por Suspends Public Roles to Focus on Wang Fuk Court Fire Investigation

Notice on appointments to advisory and statutory bodies

A Government spokesman said today (January 12) that Mr Chan Kin-por recently sought approval from the Chief Executive to suspend his three public positions as appointed by the Chief Executive, until the completion of the work of the Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po (Independent Committee). Mr Chan made this request to allow himself more time to dedicate to the work of the Independent Committee. After due consideration, the Chief Executive has agreed to and approved this request. The three public positions are: (1) Chairman of Independent Commission Against Corruption Advisory Committee on Corruption; (2) Non-executive Director of Urban Renewal Authority Board; and (3) Member of Honours and Non-official Justices of the Peace Selection Committee.

On December 12, 2025, the Government established the Independent Committee to examine the causes of the incident and related issues, ascertain the facts, and make recommendations on preventing similar tragedies and on improvement measures. The Independent Committee is chaired by Mr Justice David Lok, with Mr Chan Kin-por and Dr Rex Auyeung Pak-kuen serving as members. The Independent Committee held its first meeting on December 19 last year and aims to complete its work within nine months of commencing operations.

Mr Chan Kin-por wrote earlier to the Chief Executive, expressing his wish to suspend the aforementioned three public positions until the Independent Committee completes its work, in order to dedicate more time and focus to the Independent Committee's tasks. The Chief Executive has agreed to and approved the request.

A Government spokesperson said that since the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, both the Government and the wider community have been highly concerned about the causes of the incident and the follow-up work. The scope of the Independent Committee's work is extensive, particularly concerning systemic issues related to bid-rigging and connected interests. Given the numerous issues involved and their complex nature, the Government will fully co-operate with the Independent Committee to ensure that it can complete its work and compile its report within nine months. The Government extends its gratitude to Mr Chan for accepting the appointment as a member of the Independent Committee and for his professional and conscientious approach to the Committee's work. When the Independent Committee's work is completed, the Government looks forward to Mr Chan's continuous contribution through his aforementioned public positions.

Diversity and Inclusion Arts Festival Launches, Celebrating Artistic Talents of Persons with Disabilities

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