The Student Affairs Office held the annual Inclusion Week from 10 to 17 March, with the theme of ‘We’re the SAME but UNIQUE’. It is desirable for society to support equity and inclusiveness, allowing us to exercise our rights and obligations equally. It is also important to respect people’s similarities and differences, as everyone has unique talents, personalities, and values.

During the Inclusion Week, a wide array of fascinating activities featuring six thematic talks and experiential workshops were held, together with an inclusion exhibition co-organised by the Hong Kong Federation of Handicapped Youth. Over 1,100 students and staff members attended these activities. Mr Sammy Leung, a renowned radio host, was invited to speak at the inaugural event of the Inclusion Week, namely ‘College Assembly – HSUHK Liberal Agora: We’re the SAME but UNIQUE – DJ Sammy Leung’s Sharing on Special Educational Needs’. He candidly shared his experience of fighting attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder and depression, and stressed that everyone had their own strengths and could realise their potential even if they had special educational needs. By participating in subsequent activities including ‘Hong Kong Sign Language Experiential Class’, ‘Human Library- Sharing of Sightfeeling on the World of People with Visual Impairment’, ‘Twist a Future: Balloon-arts Workshop’, and ‘Founder of Autistic Child Life Building Development Consultancy Limited Shares About Autism Spectrum Disorders’, HSUHK students and staff members interacted with people with hearing and visual impairments and autistic youth, thereby gaining a deeper understanding of their cultures, means of communication, and life experiences.

As the Inclusion Week’s finale, the ‘BEYOND THE DREAM Online Screening and Director’s Post-screening Sharing’ received encouraging feedback from HSUHK students and staff members. Along with watching the local film ‘BEYOND THE DREAM’, participants learned about the filmmaking process and experienced the inner world of people suffering from mental disorders through the sharing of Mr Kiwi Chow, the director of the film, and were inspired to dispel misconceptions about people with mental disorders . Mr Chow encouraged HSUHK students and staff member to embrace hope and believe that the best is yet to come despite the worries about the prolonged pandemic.

“Learning about the film’s concept from Mr Chow made me understand that we should respect everyone and reduce prejudice.”
“My awareness of the needs of people with autism has been enhanced. I will encourage my schoolmates to make friends with them.”
“I realised how visually impaired people overcome barriers to achieve things that we find difficult.”

The above sharing of students and staff members shows that the seeds of inclusiveness have already sprouted in HSUHK, bringing us closer to a diverse and caring campus.