Media

The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Belonging Laboratory (DEIJB Lab) at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) hosted the book launch ceremony today (26th June 2025) for its landmark publication, Journey With Me Through Hong Kong, My Home—the first-ever children's activity book featuring stories of some amazing ethnically diverse women of Hong Kong. The publication marks a milestone in advancing the DEIJB Lab’s work and objectives of co-creating resources with key stakeholders from within the community to eliminate harmful stereotypes and unconscious biases. The highlight of this collaborative project, which was borne out of a DEIJB Lab Summer Fellowship scheme, was that it was co-developed with and from the perspective of Hong Kong Chinese students, integrating their learnings about unconscious biases from the findings from Prof. Puja Kapai’s study on Doing Equality Consciously: Understanding Unconscious Bias and its Role and Implications in the Achievement of Equality in Hong Kong and Asia (2018) and other work, including the Status of Ethnic Minorities in Hong Kong (2015), HongKonger: Ethnic Minority Youth - Aspirations, Challenges and Identity (2018) and Dreams of Pakistani Children (2019).

Research shows that visual perceptual activities in children’s formative years can directly inform their perception of the world around them. This interactive children's activity book is aimed at engaging elementary school aged children to unravel and preempt widely-held stigmatising stereotypes about ethnic minority women. These include assumptions that they tend to be passive, submissive, lacking in competence or unlikely to be role models and leaders. This collection busts these harmful myths by showcasing 12 ethnically diverse women who are self-starters that have stamped their mark on Hong Kong. It offers fresh perspectives on the effect gender and racial biases can have, especially when they intersect, contributing meaningfully to advancing dialogues on equity and inclusion in classrooms and households alike.

The book was designed by a grade-12 graduate Ms. Adele Li and co-illustrated by Li and her grade-11 buddy, Ms. Sophie Yan, featuring female Hongkongers of Filipino, Indian, Indonesian, Nepalese, and Pakistani descent from a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds and abilities who have shown incredible resilience in breaking through fields where minority representation is often lacking. Amongst them are NGO workers, filmmakers, founders of a learning centre for ethnically diverse children with special education needs, a seasoned journalist, registered nurse, actresses, comedian, migrant domestic worker, flight attendant, teacher in a local secondary school, acclaimed author, and award-winning photographer. Each activity is designed to stimulate children’s cognitive development in a fun and imaginative way. Through activities such as word search (on ethnic food), emotions maze, greetings and flag tracing, colouring (of traditional artwork), letter-writing, I-Spy, sorting my day etc., children get a personal glimpse into the women’s journeys and personalities, helping them develop empathy and reflect on the shared human experiences that connect us all, regardless of cultural, gender, or other differences. The women’s stories expose children to multiple representations of diversity, fostering an early appreciation for diversity and inclusivity.

In her keynote speech, Ms. Linda Lam, Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission, shared her insights and perspectives on the importance of diversity in education and how initiatives like this book can contribute to a more inclusive Hong Kong, one in which every child feels represented and like they belong. “… we need to take active steps to help the next generation embrace cultural diversity from a young age. Through education, we can provide children with opportunities to hear the stories and experiences of those who are underrepresented in the broader cultural discourse, gain insights into different perspectives, and learn to advocate for equality and inclusion as they grow and develop.

With the publication of Journey with Me through Hong Kong, My Home, we now have an incredible resource in our community to empower children to do just that. The inspiring stories and achievements of the 12 ethnic minority women challenge negative racial and gender stereotypes while introducing young readers to the riches and treasures they will discover when they connect with people from different cultures and backgrounds.”

During the Fireside Chat with the designer, illustrators and featured women of the activity book, they believed that this book would definitely facilitate positive change in perceptions not only among young children, but school leadership as well. Ms. Maitreyi Karanth, one of the contributors commented, “To me, the impact of this book goes much further. This book is not only for eliminating biases among young children, but also for us adults. We all have these stereotypes about each other also and this book helps us unpack and dismantle these. More so, the content is designed in such an engaging way that I would like to send it to children attending a school I have set up in the Philippines where they would be so proud to see Filipino and other women represented in this children’s book so beautifully.”

The panelists—a mix of ethnically diverse professionals including educators, youth leader, project manager for migrant domestic worker organisation, and solicitor—voiced similar sentiments. They feel that this activity book could enhance children’s understanding of Hong Kong’s ethnically diverse communities and address and dismantle implicit gender and racial biases. For Dr. Divya Gurung, founder of Kriti’s Children’s Centre for Learning and Development, “What stands out immediately is the visuals, which helps enhance children’s understanding … young readers ae supported as they’re introduced to ideas such as diversity, culture and ethnicity. It’s both a mirror where they may see someone like them, and a window where they may learn about someone different.”

These women all have humble beginnings, yet they have generated their own influence through their hard work and creativity and have contributed in meaningful ways to diversity and building community in Hong Kong, their home.

The book also acts as a catalyst for shifting attitudes in the community. For example, for panelist Mr. Saajandeep Singh “When young boys, fathers, and men from within the community engage with literature centered on ethnic minority women and their personal journeys that challenge stereotypes, it fosters empathy and strengthens communal bonds. Such exposure not only reshapes their understanding of gender and cultural dynamics in their families and communities but also encourages them to become allies in the struggle for equity and broadens their perspectives about representation and role models.“

Uswa, a 6-year-old studying in a local kindergarten said she thoroughly enjoyed the book, noting that the activities deepened her understanding of what Pakistani women can do and achieve in Hong Kong. She feels inspired, even at her young age, to follow in the footsteps of the many remarkable women in the book!

For a copy of Journey With Me Through Hong Kong, My Home, please contact [email protected].

A brief synopsis of the DEIJB Lab: The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Belonging Laboratory (DEIJB Lab) was founded by HKU Faculty of Law Associate Professor Puja Kapai in 2023 with preliminary funding support from the Global Pluralism Award which she received in recognition of her work on advocating for inclusion and the rights of minority communities. The Lab is currently being supported by HKU’s Knowledge Exchange Strategic Impact (KESI) Fund. The DEIJB Lab aims to (1) raise awareness about the widespread and detrimental effects of overt, subtle, and implicit discrimination and exclusion in schools and (2) design context-specific solutions to promote systemic change to achieve equity, inclusion, justice and belonging for every child.

For media enquiries, please contact Prof. Puja Kapai at [email protected].