About HKHRC
About HKHRC
Christians for Hong Kong Society
Flat 1-2, 18/F, 280 Portland Street, Mongkok, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Tel: 852-2780-3556 Fax: 2710-8235
E-mail: cfhks@netvigator.com
Homepage: http://www.cfhks.org.hk
Christians for Hong Kong Society was formed in 1987 by a group of Christians
who were concerned with the future of Hong Kong and who wanted to take action
to work with other groups for a better future. This concern was heightened by
the brutal suppression of the democracy movement in China in 1989. In that year,
the Society moved into its current permanent office. It hired full time staff
to organize social various actions, consciousness-raising and education programs
and to provide social commentaries. The Society encourages Christians to get
involved in social movement in order to practice what we believe in.
Since our formation, as an independent organization, we have helped to promote social justice and the Christian faith. Currently, we have three working committees: politics, human rights, and education. Work programs include organizing discussion forums and study groups to promote civic education,and publishing commentaries and responses on current events, our own newsletters and other publications.
Hong Kong Catholic Youth Council (CYC)
1/F., 89 Po Kong Village Road, Tze Wan Shan, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Tel: 852-2327-4215 Fax: 852-2332-9488
E-mail: hkcyc@hk.super.net
The HK CYC was formed in 1967 in response to the government's youth policy at
that time. In the past 30 years, the CYC has helped build a healthy and caring
community by implementing many youth development programs. These programs are
based on social needs and the changing times. CYC is also involved in social
reform and promotes social justice.
The current work of the Council consists of i) youth training, ii) social concern and iii) youth development through physical and mental spiritual health. We encourage young people to get involved in their community by actively participating in social services and social justice action. That is why CYC helped form the HKHRC.
Hong Kong Christian Industrial Committee
57 Peking Road, 3/F, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Tel: 852-2336-5860, Fax: 852-2724-5098
Email: yctsoi@hknet.com
The Hong Kong Christian Industrial Committee (CIC) was formed more than 25 years
ago by a group of Christians who were concerned with the welfare of the working
class. We published the Workers Weekly to provide a forum for workers in the
early 1970's. We lobbied the legislature to set labour standards including workers'
compensation in case of dismissal / bankruptcy, work-related injury, pregnancy,
and holiday entitlement. In the mid 1970's we initiated the workers' rights
education campaign. In the late 1970's,we started the movement for workers industrial
safety. In the 1980's and 1990's, we focused on the union education and the
formation of unions. With the approach of 1997, CIC continues to work for workers'
rights and social justice issues. At present, there are four major areas of
work CIC is involved in: i) Industrial Accident Victims& amp; Family Compensation
and Workers' safety, ii) Foreign Labour and related problems, iii) South China
labour problems, and iv) Christian Workers.
Hong Kong
Christian Institute
11 Mongkok Road, 10/F, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Tel: 852 - 2398 -1699 Fax: 852-2787-4765
E-mail: hkci@netvigator.com
The Hong Kong Christian Institute is a fellowship of Hong Kong Christians who
are concerned with the future of Hong Kong and China as 1997 approaches. Through
correspondence, publications, a lecture series, and other activities,over the
past 8 years since its formation, the HKCI has tried to affirm the dual identity
of those who have a distinct Hong Kong cultural identity and as Christians.
The objective of the HKCI is to gather concerned Christians and to enable them to make a continuing contribution to Hong Kong and the Church in Hong Kong. The functions of the Institute are: i) to be a Christian Centre to assist Christians to reflect on their faith and to act upon it, ii) to be a forum for Christians to share their views and experiences, iii) to be a support base for Christians and Christian groups, vi) to be a Think-tank to search for directions in our Mission v) to be a resource centre to interpret the Hong Kong situation to overseas Christians and to introduce ecumenical activities and thinking to local Christians, vi) to be the sign of a continuing quest for human rights, democracy and justice.
Hong Kong Social Workers' General Union
Flat B, 16/F, Pak Lok Mansion, 322 Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Tel: 852-2780-2021 Fax: 2770-8334
Email: hykwok@hkbu.edu.hk
The Hong Kong Social Workers' General Union (SWGU) was formed in May, 1980 to
promote the general welfare of social workers. The four main objectives of the
HKSWGU are: i) to unite all social workers, ii) to fight for the irrights, iii)
to improve member services, and iv) to uphold justice. Through newsletters and
other social events organized by concerned groups, we cultivate the co-operation
of fellow social workers. We help workers to get what they deserve and
any reasonable increases to stay ahead of inflation. We engage in collective
negotiation and other legal strike actions where necessary.To improve workers'
welfare, we provide services for youth, seniors, families,and community development.
To uphold justice, we participated in many social actions, such as protests
against bus fare increases and electricity charges. We also participated in
the protest against Japan's attempt to change history books to hide their war
crimes. We also push for legislation to protect labour standards, and the Bill
of Rights.
Society for Community Organization
52 Princess Margaret Road, 3/F, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Tel: 852-2713-9165 Fax: 2761-3326
E-mail: soco@pacific.net.hk
Society for Community Organization (SoCO) is incorporated in Hong Kong as a
non-profit making and non-governmental, community organization. It believes
that: all human beings are born equal; everyone has equal political rights and
equal opportunity of participation in the community and; fair distribution of
social resources is the foundation of human rights. Only when the social system
and policies are based on this foundation, can the paradigm of "all members
of the human family are equal" be recognized and the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights realized.
SoCO was formed in 1972 by members of the church. It seeks to assist people to solve problems and therefore to build up the power of citizens through community work. By these means the livelihood of the people can be improved. Through this process it strives to change the social system. Throughout the years, by means of civic education programmes and social actions, local residents and grassroots organizations have heightened the sense of the community's political responsibility. They are more able to wield their political competence to consolidate the people's power. Financially, while government subvention accounts for a small portion of SoCO's funding, SoCO is also supported by donations from churches, overseas funding agencies, the Community Chest and the individuals.
Behind the prosperity of Hong Kong lies a hidden problem, poverty. In Hong Kong simply relying on economic development is not a means of alleviating poverty. Sardonically, our economic development brings greater social inequality. For twenty years, and hundreds of cases, SoCO has organized various under-privileged communities including the caged lodgers, boat dwellers, victims of police brutality, resettlement estates residents, squatter people, street-sleepers,elderly people and public assistance recipients, to fight for their housing and human rights. SoCO believe that all human beings are born equal with the same dignity and rights. SoCO strives to build a society that respects humanity and the dignity of all persons.
Some of SoCO's projects include: i) Civic Rights Education Centre (CREC),ii) Cage Home and Old Private Housing Development Projects, iii) Elderly Rights Project, iv) Kwun Tong and WongTai Sin Community Development Projects, v) Patients' Rights Project, vi) New Immigrants' Project and vii) some of the publication by SoCO: Photo Album of Cages (1993), Survey Report on the "Cage Man" (1991), Hong Kong Human Rights Report 1991-1992, and 1993.
Hong
Kong Women Christian Council (HKWCC)
2 Jordon Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Tel: 852-2721-0477 Fax: 2721-1438
E-mail: hkhwomen@hknet.com
Website: members.hknet.com/~hkwomen
In 1987, a group of Christian sisters concerned about the future of Hong Kong
who actively participated in church renewal movements were determined to gather
and organize women and men within the church. They reflected on the meaning
of faith to modern females and allied with other women's organizationsin society
to fight for local women's rights. In January 1988, the HongKong Women Christian
Council (HKWCC) was established.
At present, HKWCC has about 130 members. Four full-time staff carry out the programs and daily administration. The work of HKWCC is now monitored by a 7-member executive committee which is elected by our members every year. The members, the staff and the executive committee share the same goals and ideals and we all work together to achieve the following objectives.
The objectives of HKWCC are: i) To believe in sexual equality as a conceptand practice and to seek its realization in society according to God's will ii) To care for the issues confronting women and, based on women's experiencesand perspective, to be concerned with the discrimination of the Church and society against women iii) To earnestly promote women's opportunities for development in church and society, iv) To promote consciousness, to make women aware of their own situation and to ascertain their self-identity and ideals v) To coordinate with local Christian women, to encourage women to be concerned and participate in social reform vi) To coordinate with overseas women's organizations in building sisterhood and solidarity.
The main tasks of HKWCC are:
1. Promote feminist theology by establishing a Feminist Theology Resource Centre;
initiating feminist theology research projects and organizing summer courses,
seminars, workshops and study groups to promote education about feminist theology.
2. Raise women's awareness by delivering women-related sermons in churches every March on or about International Women's Day; publishing the quarterly Liberation and the Women and Faith Series to encourage creative writing and organizing different cultural activities related to women.
3. Fight for women's rights by forming a coalition with other local women's groups to fight for the elimination of sex discrimination and to promote equal opportunities, to raise the public's concern about the women's situation and to press the government to improve its policies related to women.
4. Empower marginalized women by organizing activities in collaboration with local homosexual Christian groups and contacting women who are discriminated against by the Church and establishing a mutual support network through sharing, caring and learning.
5. Express concerns about Hong Kong's future by forming a network called July 1st Link with other Christian front-line groups to strengthen connections between local groups and civil organizations overseas, to raise the concern of the international world about the issue of 1997, and to seek their support for local civil movements.
Justice and
Peace Commission of the Catholic Diocese, Hong Kong
Address: Rm 302, 1 Tai Shek Street, Sai Wan Ho, Shaukiwan, Hong Kong.
Tel¡R852-2560-3865
Fax¡R852-2539-8023
E-mail¡Rjpcom@pacific.net.hk
Website : http://jpcom.catholic.org.hk
Origin
In 1965, in the proclamation of Vatican Council II: Pastoral Constitution on
the Church in the Modern World, it was emphasized that a large proportion of
the world's population is still struggling in hardship caused by disaster and
poverty. To promote world justice and a Christian concern and brotherly love
for the poor and afflicted, it was urged that a world organization be set up
to assist in the development of the poorer nations. It is most timely that such
a world body be formed. (Section 90) Two years later, Pope Paul VI officially
proclaimed the institution of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
In 1977, the Justice and Peace Commission of the Hong Kong Catholic Diocese
was officially established.
Objectives
1.To foster a fuller understanding and greater recognition of the basic equity
between all human beings.
2.To stimulate the observance, protection and promotion of the rights of the
human person in the light of the Gospel and the teachings of the Church.
3.To translate the social teachings of the Church to actions that aim at the
development of all human beings for the glorification of God.
4.To implement such teachings for the improvement of the quality of life of
human beings.
5.To promote the sense of justice and peace in the Diocese in accordance with
such teachings.
6.To collaborate with people of other traditions and beliefs for the promotion
of social justice in every aspect of human life.
7.To make recommendations to the Bishop on matters related to justice and peace.
Work
1. Analyze social policies, involve in social movements
-analyze social policies that affect people's livelihood, e.g. social security,
medical service, housing, social welfare and labour policy, etc.
-protest against injustices through social actions
-defend basic rights of minorities
-promote democracy and advocate a faster pace of political development
-organize workshops for particular social issues
2. Advocate for and promote human rights
-concern and advocate for local and overseas human rights issues and write up
Hong Kong human rights reports
-concern human rights issues like gender equality, police brutality, privacy,
freedom of speech -and equal opportunities for minorities, etc.
-produce educational kits, booklets and exhibition boards and organize seminars
and activities
3. Promote social awareness within the church
-organize activities to promote Catholic social teachings and social justice,
eg. talks, workshops, retreats, exposures, etc.
-organize awareness programs for Basic Faith Communities and other groups in
Church
-support and educate parish social concern groups
-study Catholic Social Teachings, Social Ethics and the related topics
4. Concern about China affairs
-analyze and examine political, social and economic situations of China
-organize seminars, courses, sharing meetings and various activities on recent
development of China
-organize activities for JP's Friends of China Affairs Committee
-organize visits and exposures
5. Publication
-The Road Together, Catholic Social Teachings Series, Voice of Justice-for group
sharing, and JP Express
-human rights educational kits of various topics
-booklets on specific topics
6. Others
-columns in diocesan weekly Kung Kao Po and expressions of opinions on social
issues in Catholic Faith Hotline
Structure
The Commission consists of 9 to 18 Catholics. They are all appointed by the
Bishop of the Hong Kong Catholic Diocese and serve on a voluntary basis.
The Commission is an authorized representative of the Catholic Diocese of Hong
Kong and it is also accountable to the Diocese authority in all its actions.
The JP secretariat has full-time staff to deal with the daily work of the Commission.
Student Christian Movement of Hong Kong (SCM - HK)
Block 1, 12/F, Kiu Kin Mansion,
568 Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Tel: 852-2384-3932 Fax: 2782-3980
E-mail: scmhk@utinet.com
The Student Christian Movement of Hong Kong (SCM-HK) was formed in 1981, by
a group of Christian students who were in college. They shared the concern about
their role as Christians in the future of Hong Kong. It was organized at a time
when the British and the Chinese governments began negotiations on the return
of Hong Kong to China in 1997. The SCM - HK is an affiliate member of the World
Student Christian Federation. The Hong Kong SCMers has three basic concerns:
the issue of 1997, democratic movement and human rights in China, and the relationship
of both these issues with the church. Over the years SCM - HK has organized
many activities and leadership training programs for college students concerning
these issues. It also works on issues of gender equality, third world development,
and the social movement in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Storehouse and Transportation Staff Association
2/F, Fook Yiu Building, 6-8 Tai Po Road , Kowloon, Hong Kong tel. 852-2776-3876,
fax.
852-2788-060
The Hong Kong Storehouse and Transportation Staff Association has persistently
been upholding solidarity, inpendence and democracy as guiding principles. Founded
in 1949, we have a history of more than 40 years. In response to the rapid changes
of job natures of our members and be better facilitating our work, our constitution
has been revised several times as well as our organization has been renamed.
Apart from concerning our members' rights and bebefits, we have been actively
participating in the development of labour movement. In 1984, we helped organize
the "Hong Kong Trade Union Education Centre " and "The Federation
of Hong Kong & Kowloon Labour Unions". In 1987, together with other
transportation unions, we initiated the setting up of the "Federation of
Hong Kong Transport Worker Organization". In 1990, we helped form "The
Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions". Not only become members
of these joint associations, some of our members also play major roles in taking
up the work of these associations.