THE ZUBIN FOUNDATION Improves the lives of Hong Kong ethnically diverse individuals by reducing suffering and providing opportunities
The Zubin Foundation 2025 Policy Recommendations to Mr John Lee, Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region 1 September 2025 Email: ceo@ceo.gov.hk 1. Introduction to The Zubin Foundation (TZF) 1.1. TZF (IR: 91/12344) is a registered charity committed to improving the lives of Hong Kong’s Ethnically Diverse Individuals (EDIs) by providing opportunities and reducing suffering. 1.2. Focus areas: i. ii. iii. iv. v.
Mental health Talent and Youth Development Women and Girls Children and Parents Elderly
1.3. TZF is an integrated service provider for the Ethnically Diverse Community (EDC). TZF provides direct services, such as 1:1 mental health counselling, managing the Call Mira helpline and assisting victims of forced marriage and domestic violence, providing youth with jobs, scholarships, internships and capacity training, counselling children and working with families with children at the end of life, providing parents with skills and knowledge, working with the elderly through social and emotional activities. 1.4. TZF works directly with service users and works through other NGOs, public hospitals, religious organisations and places of worship, and government-subsidised schools, kindergartens and agencies. 1.5. The following recommendations are based on (1) observations from service users, (2) observations from partnerships with other providers of direct service to EDC, such as Integrated Community Centre for Mental Wellness, schools, NGOs, hospitals, police, etc., and (3) global best practice. Recommendations 2. Terminology: Replace the term Ethnic Minorities (EM) with Ethnically Diverse Individuals (EDIs) and Ethnically Diverse Community (EDC) 2.1. On 14 June 2025, TZF organised its first-ever Youth Leadership Summit bringing together over 200 passionate and engaged young individuals, and comprising of youth who are tertiary educated. Polling from the Summit recorded that 77% of participants disapproved of the “ethnic minority” label preferring instead the term ‘ethnically diverse individual’ or ethnic diverse community’. This new term has been normalised within the EDC and various NGOs and is the preferred term. 2.2. Many in the EDC view the term ‘ethnic minority’ as demeaning and feel that it further marginalises them.
The Zubin Mahtani Gidumal Foundation Limited, known as The Zubin Foundation (registered charity in 1 Hong Kong - IR 91/12344). 小彬紀念基金(香港註冊慈善機構 IR 91/12344)。 Room F, 5/F., High Fashion Centre, 1 – 11 Kwai Hei Street, Kwai Chung, Hong Kong. 香港新界葵涌葵喜街 1-11 號達利國際中心 5 樓 F 室。 Tel 電話: +852 2540 9588 E-mail 電郵: info@zubinfoundation.org Website 網址: www.zubinfoundation.org