Observations and Stakeholders’ Views Gathered at Engagement Session on "Harmony and Cultural Inclusion”

Views shared by children participants

On Socialisation
- All children participants considered that participation in game activities, sports and interest classes could promote their friendships and understanding of people from different cultural backgrounds.
- Some participants indicated that they had no difficulty in getting along with their classmates from different cultural backgrounds, whereas some would prefer to make friends with those sharing the same culture.
- Some ethnic minority (EM) children participants who had been living in Hong Kong for years showed understanding of and fond of the local festivals and festive food while the habit of celebrating their own traditional festivals varied from student to student. The key festivals in their cultures might not be given due attention in local schools.
- A student considered that the school’s provision of additional extra-curricular activities had been helpful in facilitating students from different cultural or ethnic backgrounds to get to know each other better.
On Studying
- Some EM children participants found it challenging with reading and writing in Chinese language while doing homework as there was no one to offer guidance and advice to them at home. The subject they were most confident in was English.
- Chinese children were more confident in Chinese language and Mathematics, and expressed worries about learning English language.
- It is not uncommon for some students at primary 5 and 6 to attend extra-curricular activities and learning programmes, e.g. tutorial classes, during their leisure time.
- Most EM children aspired to become professionals, mostly to be medical doctors or specialists in STEM (i.e. science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).
- Some EM girls shared the practice and experience of wearing hijabs in their own schools.

Observations and feedback on the event arrangement

Members generally considered the event was well-planned with diversified, easy-to-learn and interesting activities which enhanced the participation of children, helped unleash their potential and creativity, facilitated cultural exchange and cooperation between children of different ethnicities, promoted harmony and inclusion, and provided children participants with a memorable and enjoyable experience.
Children participants showed great interest in the activities and enjoyed the event very much. They mingled well with each other and interacted naturally with their teacher companions. Both children and accompanying teachers were happy to chit chat and play with the Chief Secretary for Administration (CS), government officials and members of the Commission on Children (CoC) in the official residence of CS. They had a high regard to the occasion as seen by how they dressed up and wore make-up for the occasion. Their participation was positive throughout the event and they enjoyed the festive food as well.
Accompanying teachers found the event meaningful and hoped that there would be more similar occasions in future. A principal of a participating school thanked CoC for organising the event to broaden the horizons of grassroots students by enabling them to try new things and communicate with different people of the community which helped build their confidence.
The children participants were outspoken, friendly and presentable, while also showing the expected curiosity and childlike styles expected of their age. The non-Chinese children participants seemed to have adapted to life in Hong Kong smoothly. That said, Chinese children participants were observed to be comparatively shy and passive with lower confidence. Non-Chinese speaking EM children, those who speak Chinese less fluently and children who could only speak Putonghua were less blended in owing to communication barrier and less outgoing during the event.
Special thanks were extended to CS for providing the perfect venue for the event and taking precious time from his busy schedule to have some fun and enjoyable time with children. Gratitude was also expressed to participating Government officials and CoC Secretariat for the preparations, arrangements and involvement.