Events

“Youth Forum on Gender Equality: Re-examining Gender Roles in the 21st Century” was held on 20 January, 2007 at LT1, Esther Lee Building, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. The Forum was jointly organized by the Consulate General of Sweden, Equal Opportunities Commission, Faculty of Social Science and Gender Research Centre of The Chinese University of Hong Kong. It was an extended part of the seminar “Advancement in Gender Equality – The Swedish & Hong Kong Stories” held on the 19 January at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Prof. Fanny Cheung, Director of the Gender Research Centre, Professor Paul Lee, Dean of Social Science, Mr. Raymond Tang, Chairperson of Equal Opportunities Commission, Mrs. Boel Evander, Consul General of Sweden and Mrs. Cecilia Reimers from the Swedish Institute officiated at the opening ceremony. Prof. Choi Po-king from Department of Educational Administration and Policy and Dr. Trisha Leahy from Hong Kong Sports Institute were invited to be the masters of ceremony.

The objective of the Youth Forum is to encourage young people to start thinking about gender equality in their personal life and in the society from an early age. Sweden is one of the most advanced countries in promoting gender equality. Ms Gunilla Sterner, Adviser in the Ministry of Integration and Gender Equality in Sweden and Dr. Lars Plantin, from Malmö University and a Swedish expert on the topic of parenthood and work, joined by Prof. Eric Ma from the School of Journalism and Communication and Prof. Maria Tam from Department of Anthropology of CUHK, shared their views on how women and men integrate their work and family roles. Ms Cheung Hoi Yan and Ms Mary Ann King, CU Alumnae of Gender Studies Programme, explored the situation of women working in male-dominant professions. Finally, Prof. Grace Mak from Hong Kong Institute of Education and Mr. Stephen Yip from Education and Manpower Bureau discussed the changing gender stereotypes in schools. Over 100 teachers and students from local universities and secondary schools participated in the interactive discussion session in the afternoon.

CUHK has been the pioneer in promoting gender research and gender studies. The Gender Research Centre is the first local research centre on gender and women’s studies. The Gender Studies Programme at the Faculty of Social Science offers the only academic programs on gender studies available in Hong Kong.

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(From left) Prof. Fanny Cheung, Director of the Gender Research Centre, Professor Paul Lee, Dean of Social Science, Mr. Raymond Tang, Chairperson of Equal Opportunities Commission, Mrs. Boel Evander, Consul General of Sweden and Mrs. Cecilia Reimers from the Swedish Institute officiated at the opening ceremony.

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The Seminar on “Advancement in Gender Equality – The Swedish & Hong Kong Stories” held on the 19 January 2007 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre