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Members NewsletterAug 2013 / Issue 2

President's Message

2013 is a very eventful and fruitful year of our Association (“HKWPEA”). When you read through this Newsletter, you will appreciate the rich variety of programs and events that have taken place at HKWPEA and the vibrant energy of our members in creating and organizing all the successful activities and business of the Association.

Notably, HKWPEA made donation to kick off and support the 4.20 Sichuan Yaan Community-Based Post-Earthquake Summer Service Program for children and youth in collaboration with Prof. Angelina Yuen of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in April 2013. We also offered a HKWPEA Women in Science & Engineering (“WISE”) Scholarship Program to the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology to encourage more females to study science and engineering. The N-No Project partnering with HK Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council will be at least a two-year commitment offering both financial support by the Association and mentoring program by our members to the recipient families.

We are now very busy organizing the first fund raising concert since the establishment of HKWPEA in 1996. This will be the “Butterfly Lovers Remix” 「梁祝。十藝」musical performance concert on 21 December 2013 Saturday at the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts. There will be 10 different cultural arts encompassing in one musical concert through the theme of the traditional love story of Butterfly Lovers 梁山伯、祝英台 . This musical will be the first of its kind in Hong Kong and probably in the world. We promise you a most memorable and unforgettable evening. Please SAVE THE DATE - 21 December 2013. You are also called upon to render help in soliciting sponsorship, advertisement on the souvenir program, selling concert tickets and donation support.

I would like to sincerely thank all the organizers for their tremendous work and contribution as always. Do look out for more interesting events coming up in the next few months and hope to see you….

Have a great summer!

Agnes Koon

President

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Recent Events

Guest Talk and Dinner at Chinese General Chamber of Commerce20 June 2013We were honored to have guest speaker Prof. Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, GBS, JP, Secretary for Transport and Housing of the Government of HKSAR, speaking to us on the topic of Long Term Housing Policy. 58 members and VIP guests attended the guest talk and dinner at Chinese General Chamber of Commerce on 20 June 2013.

In the same evening, special guests from HKUST attended including Prof. Wenjing Ye, Ms. Winkie Tang and Ms. Lau Wai-yan, the Awardee of HKWPEA WISE Scholarship.

HKWPEA Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) ScholarshipThe Board offered the fund of HK$20,000 per annum for the 3 academic years 2012-2015 to the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Scholarship Program at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

The HKWPEA WISE Scholarship aims to encourage female students to pursue their studies in science or engineering at the HKUST. The beneficiaries are selected Year 1 students with outstanding academic and personal development records who are enrolled in science or engineering program.

Ms. Lau Wai Yan, a student from St. Mary’s Canossian College, received Tier 1 Award at HK$20,000 for the academic year 2012-2013. She attended our Quarterly Members’ Dinner on 20 June 2013, and also sincerely wrote to us in her thank you letter:

“After getting this scholarship, I have been able to pay part of the tuition by myself to reduce my parents’ burden without borrowing loans from the government. I can spend my weekends on revisions, services and extracurricular activities, instead of doing part-time jobs. It is my pleasure to receive the WISE Scholarship from your Association and I would like to express a million thanks!”

Prof. Anthony Cheung, Scholarship Awardee Ms. Lau Wai Yan, President Agnes, Board and committee chairpersons

Cheque presentation ceremony to the awardee by Prof. Cheung and President Agnes

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Madam Yin Xiao Jing & Madam Liao Xun visited our Association 4 July 2013Madam Yin Xiao Jing, Deputy Minister, Madam Liao Xun, Deputy Director-General, Coordination Department and their team including Madam Song Wei, Madam Zhang Shu Ging, Madam Claudia Lam and Madam Cheng Jing of the Liason Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR visited us on 4 July at Eva Cheng’s office and met with our Board & committee chairpersons. We gave the office a good introduction of the past and up coming activities of our Association.

Shanghai Pudong Training Class 香港專業女性浦東國情研修班 3-9 Jun 2013Our members Carrie Shiu, Cindy Chan and Becky Wong joined this fruitful trip. It is glad to read Carrie’s sharing with us on her thoughts and inspirations.

“It’s my first time taking this kind of training. This one week course in Shanghai was a lot more intensive than I expect. The mornings were with lectures of interesting topics conducted by experienced professors and the afternoons were on-site inspections and visits… and of course the evening outings with classmates too. The days were basically fully occupied. I was assigned as a group leader of a team with eight members. They were very dynamic. We were all very involved to share and discuss after class to get things ready for our last day presentation. We also went out for dessert exploration, Japanese teppanyaki dinner… Our group also helped to organize the last evening farewell Karaoke with the whole class. This trip was very rewarding. I got to meet new friends, learn new knowledge with thought provoking insights and at the same time had FUN as well.”

Our team during class… we are really very attentive Visit to Sung Hang Ling Heritage… our team’s photo, we are lively!

The Board and committee chairpersons with Madam Yin Xiao Jing and Madam Liao Xun

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Sha Tau Kok and Kat O Day Trip18 May 2013 Thanks to Lucy Kwan’s arrangement, 29 members and guests attended the eco-tour on 18 May 2013 to explore beautiful landscapes in northeastern part of New Territories, enjoy fresh seafood at Kat O and visit the famous Chung Ying Street for its unique political history on China / Hong Kong border on one street and other cultural elements around the area.

All those who participated fully enjoyed the precious opportunity to be able to attend such a unique outing. It was truly a successful event that combined history, political science, culture, education, networking, eating and shopping all together.

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Zonta Forum: Women in Public and Political Life20 Apr 2013President Agnes, Becky Wong, Jennifer Chan and Carrie Shiu attended the Zonta forum at the Leighton Hill Community Hall, Happy Valley. There were 4 distinguished guest speakers, namely Dr. Rosanna Wong Yick-ming, DBE, JP, Ms. Audrey Eu Yuet-mee, LLB, LLM, SC, JP, Mr. Moses MC Cheng, GBS, OBE, JP and Ms. Annie Tam Kam-lan, JP, Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare.

The guest speakers shared their experiences from women participating in politics to striving for a work-life balanced life. Through the forum, participants got a chance to understand the sense of achievement and challenges in public and political life, and to exchange views on how to enable and encourage women to take up leadership positions in public service without compromising their careers in their professional practices or in private companies, and overcome the challenges therein.

From left to right: Jennifer Chan, Carrie Shiu, President Agnes, Becky Wong and Wong Lai Chun

United Nations Related Activities Thanks to Angela To for writing up the HKWPEA Quadrennial Report which was submitted to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) in May. Furthermore, Anne Chen attended the UN Conference in New York on behalf of our Association on 28 Mar 2013.

Our Honorary President Annie Wu hosted a luncheon on 29 May 2013 for Kristin Arnadottir, Iceland Ambassador to discuss possible cooperation opportunities. It was also attended by President Agnes, Marina Wong, Angel Hon, Salome See and Selina Cheng.

Annie Wu hosted a luncheon with Iceland Ambassador to discuss cooperation opportunities

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全國婦聯副主席及書記處第一書記宋秀岩與香港各界婦女社團代表召開座談會20 Mar 2013

President Agnes, Rebecca Choy, Lilianna Au, Lynette Tiong and Maggie Lam represented HKWPEA to attend the meeting on 20 March 2013.

Our Association was among many other women organizations being invited to introduce our goals and missions. While we noted that all organizations are working more or less towards the goals of helping the underprivileged, our Association also focuses on public affairs and economic development of Hong Kong. We came across as very unique among others as we are privileged to be holding a United Nations Economic & Social Affairs NGO consultative status.

香港工商界會新春團拜 13 Mar 201313 members, headed by President Agnes attended the “2013 香港工商界商會新春團拜 ” Spring Dinner at HKCEC Grand Hall on 13 March 2013. HKWPEA was proud to be one of the co-organizers of the event.This year, the dinner was officiated by the Guest of Honour Mr. Gregory So Kam-leung, GBS, JP, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, and attended by representatives from leading industrial and commercial associations. The event was very fruitful and rewarding as it provided us an excellent occasion for networking and exchanges.

全國婦聯副主席及書記處第一書記宋秀岩 ( 左二 )

Members enjoyed a great evening at the Spring Dinner

President Agnes and other members at the meeting

(Left five) Ms. Gilly Wong, Chief Executive, Consumer Council

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N-No Project Kick Off Ceremony 「全心傳家」「N 無」家庭發展計劃10 Mar 2013We are delighted to share with our members the latest development of our N-No Project (The N-nothings Class). The objective of this project is to help those underprivileged who are staying in Hong Kong legitimately but are not eligible to apply for Comprehensive Social Security Assistance and/or Public Housing, thereby making a longer term positive change for their future.

As you may already be aware, the society is getting increasingly alert about the N-nothings Class; be it the challenges they face day to day, or the long term effect there is to their next generations, hence, to the society. The N-No project is an ongoing 2-year-program with two key areas of focus: Financial Support and Mentoring Program. Firstly, HKWPEA donated $350,000 to Sheng Kung Hui in helping 10 targeted N-nothing families in Kowloon City district. Secondly, these 10 targeted families will be supported by over 20 members of HKWPEA (Joanne Wong, the convenor and President Agnes Koon, together with Eva W Chan, Priscilla Chan, Anne Chen, Rebecca Choy, Julianne Doe, Catherine Fok, Jane Lee, Loretta Lee, Fanny Lui, Edith Mok, Maggie Lam, Melissa Pang, Salome See, Carrie Siu, Deborah Wan, Cecilia Yao, Jessie Yu, Eunice Yung and more…….) as their Mentors for a two-year period. Social workers of Sheng Kung Hui, Mentors and Mentees will work together on their tailored development plan aiming at developing job skills, improving competence of family and eventually achieve self reliance. Mentors also play an important role in broadening their social support network. In return, the families would take part in community volunteer service to help those in need, creating a positive cycle mentally, physically and spiritually.

In the meantime, we are appealing for supply of physical resources by our members e.g. used books, used toys, free tuition courses for these mentees etc. Joanne Wong, our convenor of this project, will send out appeal circular to you soon.

The project kick-started in March 2013. There were briefing sessions and family visits at the end of April 2013. The Matching of Mentors and Mentees was done in May and lots of first meet-up by Mentors and Mentees are happening in June. Heartfelt thanks to all our members’ efforts and enthusiasm in making this amazing journey a memorable one!

The Kick Off Ceremony on March 10, 2013. From right: Marina Wong, Selina Cheng, Jane Lee, Agnes Koon, Augusta Cheung, Joanne Wong and Jennifer Cheng

From right: Maggie Lam and Hilda Wong with mentee, Cheng family at dinner. Maggie & Hilda helped the little girl to go on a 5-day summer camp to Changchun sponsored by China Overseas Holdings Ltd. What a start, Bravo!!!

Jane Lee and Alan visited a family of 6 living on rooftop on 9th floor. Without elevator, the 80 plus-y-o grandpa is essentially confined in his residence

Kick-off ceremony

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Guest Talk and Spring Dinner at Lippo Chiuchow Restaurant7 Mar 2013 57 members and guests joined HKWPEA’s Annual Spring Dinner at Lippo Chiuchow Restaurant, welcoming a good year of the Snake together. We were honored to have Dr. Christine Loh Kung-wai, OBE, JP, Undersecretary for the Environment in Hong Kong, as the guest speaker to share environmental initiatives following the release of the 2013 Policy Address, explaining why and how the government would be setting aside and using the $10 billion fund to improve roadside air quality, among other things, bringing a better living environment. Members also took away a sense of urgency in protecting the environment for ourselves, for the society and the next generation.

Madam Liao Xun, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR

D r. C h r i s t i n e L o h , O B E , J P, Undersecretary for the Environment in Hong Kong speaking to us

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Five Best Social Enterprises Award CeremonyUnder etnet.com.hk’s net platform, HKWPEA is a supporting organization of Social Enterprise Gallery (“SEG”) offering this platform to promote social enterprises (“SE”) in Hong Kong. We expect that this SEG will promote more civic awareness on SE; the community can benefit from this SEG to search for SE products or services. We also hope to nurture and exchange more market intelligence to facilitate the development and growth of SE in Hong Kong.

HKWPEA and etnet.com.hk together had organized the Five Best SE Awards from 28 Jan to 28 Feb 2013 by netizen votes. During this period, the awards were decided by 2,543 votes and there were over 1,174 net comments. The Prize-Presentation Ceremony was successfully held on 7 March 2013 the same day, preceding the Spring dinner, to present the awards to the 5 Best Social Enterprises. We were honoured to have Ms. Florence Hui Hiu-fai, Undersecretary for Home Affairs, presenting awards for us. The 5 Awardees were Dialogue in the Dark, Senior Citizen Home Safety Association, iBakery Gallery Café, iBakery, and Diamond Cab.

Upcoming Events

南沙前海考察團9-10 Aug 2013

女工商專聯擬定於 2013 年 8 月 9-10 日組織一個為期 2 天 1 夜的南沙前海考察團。我們希望能安排考察團與各有關政府領導會面交流，就對外商在當地投資的法規及商機有更深入的了解及認識。

AGM & Annual Dinner at World Trade Centre Club12 September 2013

Ms Anna Wu Hung-yuk will be our guest of honor of the AGM. Anna is a non-official member of Executive Council, the Chairperson of the Competition Commission and of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority. She will speak on “The New Competition Law for Hong Kong” 「香港的新競爭法」. All members are invited to this AGM.

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Luncheon Talk on “The Next Half of Our Lives”- 人生下半場 - 施永青26 September 2013We will organize a special luncheon talk on 26 September 2013 at the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce by Mr. Sze Wing Ching. Mr. Sze is one of the most knowledgeable and well-spoken guest speakers in town. This unique topic to be delivered by him should promise to be a very stimulating session.

Phoenix TV Visit12 October 2013 The Programme Committee is organizing a study tour to visit the Phoenix Televison Tai Po station on a Saturday morning on 12 Oct 2013. As we all know, Phoenix Television is a Hong Kong based Mandarin and Cantonese television broadcaster which serves the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and other areas in the world with substantial Chinese viewers. Its service has expanded to more than 50 countries and regions with more than 20 million viewers worldwide.

Social Enterprise Summit 201328-30 Nov 2013

Riding on the success of the past years, Social Enterprise Summit will be held again in Hong Kong from November 29-November 30. HKWPEA will continue as its role as a co-organizer of this Summit. The theme of this year’s summit will be “Innovation for Good”. “Good” implying achieving what is good for Hong Kong’s Social enterprises through the joint efforts of various key stakeholders: Government, Practitioners, Business enterprises and Academia.

As in the past 5 years, in 2013 HKWEPA will sponsor the dinner of the summit to be held on 28 November 2013. Do mark your diary to take part in this major highlight event.

“Butterfly Lovers Remix” Fund Raising Concert「梁祝 . 十藝 」 21 Dec 2013

HKWPEA will host and organize the musical performance concert on 21 December 2013 at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts for our fund raising purposes.

For the first time in Hong Kong, a spectacular event encompassing 10 cultural arts will be culminated in an evening of extravaganza. In this concert, there will be Chinese music ensemble, violin solo accompanied by piano, Beijing opera, Kunqu, Cantonese opera, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese painting, contemporary dance, popular music, and modern stage technical arts. Through the theme of the Butterfly Lovers, each of the ten performing and visual arts is presented in its own unique glory, offering not only a veritable sensory feast for the audience but also inviting them to expand their mental horizon to explore the rich domain that is Chinese arts and culture.

This event promises to deliver a most enchanting and unique musical experience. Do mark your diary and support our Association.

香港工商界商會新春團拜 201427 February 2014

As in last years, we participate as an organizing association. The event is worthwhile in networking with a large number of other commercial organizations in town.

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4 members on Government’s Honours List

We are proud to have four HKWPEA members receiving honorable recognition from the Government of HKSAR on 1 July 2013. Congratulations to all on their well-deserved achievements!

Ms. Maggie Koong -- awarded the Bronze Bauhinia Star, BBSDr. Maggie Koong holds a Doctorate in Education from the University of Durham, providing direction and leadership for Victoria Kindergartens and Victoria Shanghai Academy in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Shenzhen as well.

Dr. Koong is a member of Women’s Commission, Family Council, Equal Opportunities Commission and Committee on Free Kindergarten Education. She is also the Executive Director of Hong Kong Federation of Women, exco member of OMEP, council member of UNICEF, Vice-chairperson of PHAB, exco member of Playright Children’s Play Association.

She is a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Shanghai Committee, special representative of All China Women’s Federation, member of Shanghai Women’s Federation Executive Committee, Shanghai Children and Teenagers’ Fund and Director of China Early Childhood Education Council.

Her work for both education and the community in Hong Kong earned her the “Outstanding Young Persons of the Year 2000” award.

Ms. Ka Shi Lau -- awarded the Bronze Bauhinia Star, BBSMs. Ka Shi Lau, Managing Director & CEO of BCT Group, has been awarded the Bronze Bauhinia Star (BBS) for her meritorious public and community service, particularly her contribution to public health, social welfare, labour and women affairs.

Ms. Susanna Chiu -- awarded the Medal of Honour, MH Ms. Susanna Chiu, President of Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants, was awarded the Medal of Honour for her dedicated public service, particularly her contribution to the accounting profession.

Ms. Yolanda Ng -- awarded the Metal of Honour, MH伍婉婷，曾任文字記者、網站及電台節目主持、廣播劇編劇、第一代新媒體節目監製，現為民選灣仔區議員，參與公職計有婦女權益聯盟副總幹事、香港島婦女聯合會副主席、全國婦聯港區特邀代表、清新空氣行動召集人、環境諮詢委員會委員、青年事務委員會委員、吸煙與健康委員會委員等。曾參與合著「興挑者言」、「婦女發展與社會參與」、「尋找她們的故事」、「心靈綠茶」、「灣仔風物誌」，2011 年出版個人社會紀實作品「放棄以後 – 少女墮胎實錄」，藉真實個案喚醒社會對青少年關注。

Members’ News

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Doris Leung entered as a finalist of Cartier Women’s initiative Award 2013

Exciting news came to us that Diamond Cab founded by Doris Leung became the first Hong Kong enterprise entering as a finalist of Cartier Women’s Initiatives Awards 2013 and will strive for the honour in France in Oct to compete in the final presentation. Carrie Lam, CS, HKSAR Government congratulated Doris and encouraged more innovation to address social needs.

Diamond Cab was named for Doris’ mother who loved diamond. Doris decided to use the name “Diamond” to symbolize the priceless value of life and to encourage the pursuit of meanings of life even becoming physically disadvantaged, feeling the sympathy for her mother becoming wheelchair bound because of illness. The qualification as Cartier Women’s initiative Award Finalist meant a lot to Doris and her Diamond Cab, for the story can be spread to the rest of the world.

May we extend our biggest support to Doris and wish her all the best to be able to win her real diamond in France!

Pam Mak was awarded Bordeaux Wine Ambassador

Pam Mak was recently awarded the “Commandeur d’Honneur of the Grand-Maitre de L’Ordre Du Bontemps , Medoc et Graves – Sauternes et Barsac” in Bordeaux. This is a very special honour awarded every two years by the top Chateaux in recognition of awardee’s contribution to the Bordeaux wine industry.

Doris enjoyed the cherry blossom season in Tokyo with her mother in wheelchair

We warmly welcome the following new members joining our Association

Iris Tang 鄧芷賓Senior Relationship Manager China CITIC Bank International Limited

Iris is the daughter of Ms Connie Ng - a member of HKWPEA. She has years of experience in the banking and finance fields and is currently Senior Relationship Manager at China CITIC Bank International Limited. On community services, she is a member of 北京海外聯會青年委員會會員 & 吉林省青年聯合會會員

April Chan陳姚慧兒Company SecretaryCLP Holdings Limited

April is a Chartered Secretary, currently working at CLP Holdings Limited as Company Secretary. She has years of experience with professional firms and academic institutes in Hong Kong and Australia. She currently serves on the Councils of HK Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Corporate Secretaries International Association as their past presidents. She is also the Chairman of HKICS’ Technical Consultat ion Panel and Human Resources Committee among other public services.

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EDITORIAL TEAM

Helen Kan – Co-chairperson , Newsletter and Communication committee / Honorary SecretarySylvia Lee – Co-chairperson , Newsletter and Communication committeeMaggie Lam – Newsletter and Communication committee memberLesley Yeung – HKWPEA Secretariat

HKWPEA SecretariatAddress : Room B, 18/F Kingswell Commercial Tower, 171 – 173 Lockhart Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong.Tel : 852-2882 2555Fax : 852-2882 4673Email : info@hkwpea.orgWebsite : www.hkwpea.org