Hong Kong Watch hosts discussion in East London to connect BNOs with local community services

Yesterday, Hong Kong Watch co-hosted an event with Hackney Chinese Community Services in East London for BNO Hong Kongers to learn about available services and volunteering opportunities in the area, as well as to forge connections with local community groups.

The forum included representatives from local services and non-profit groups, and featured remarks by Elly De Decker, Chief Executive at Bromley by Bow Centre, and Jabez Lam, Centre Manager at Hackney Chinese Community Services.

Elly opened the discussion by mentioning the cultural diversity in East London, and that the key to building connections and a sense of belonging in the community is through giving and receiving.

Jabez offered his insight into identity building of BNO Hong Kongers. He believes Hong Kongers have a strong cultural identity, but generally lack a strong tradition in public affairs and civic life. He emphasised the importance of learning from the history and shared experiences of other migrant groups, as well as forging connections with other communities.

We would like to thank all speakers, local services and non-profit groups, and attendees for participating in this event, which enriched BNOs’ knowledge of local services and increased their confidence as they navigate their new environment in the UK.

This event is part of Hong Kong Watch’s civic and political engagement series, which aims to encourage community building and provide resources for BNOs to participate in civic spaces. This event is supported by the GLA’s Hong Kong Welcome Hub Empowerment Fund, and is part of a strictly cross-party and impartial series.

香港監察在東倫敦舉辦社區活動　探討BNO如何連結本地社群　建構在英港人身分

昨天，香港監察與克尼華人社會服務中心在東倫敦地區合辦BNO社區活動，讓BNO港人認識該區的本地服務和義工活動，並與當地社區團體建立連繫。

活動邀請了來自不同本地服務和非牟利組織的代表，包括Bromley by Bow Centre行政總監Elly De Decker，以及克尼華人社會服務中心經理Jabez Lam。

Elly在討論開始時提到東倫敦的多元文化，而要在社區中建立聯繫和歸屬感的關鍵，是透過給予和接受。

Jabez分享他對BNO港人身分建構的見解。他認為，香港人有強烈的文化認同，但在公共事務和公民生活方面則普遍缺乏堅實的傳統。他強調，向其他移民群體的歷史和經驗學習，並與其他社群建立聯繫尤其重要。

香港監察感謝所有講者、本地服務和非牟利組織及參加者出席今次活動，豐富BNO港人對本地服務的了解，並增強BNO社群在新社區生活的信心。

今次活動是香港監察公民及政治參與系列的一部分，計劃旨在促進社區連繫，並向BNO社群提供資源，鼓勵參與公民活動。這是完全跨黨派和中立的活動系列，並由大倫敦政府Hong Kong Welcome Hub Empowerment Fund贊助。