Community Business

"LGBTQ+ individuals have significant health needs that we actually have not really looked into or not widely addressed in places like Hong Kong.”

In this episode of Up for Discussion, we are excited to welcome Professor Edmond Choi from the University of Hong Kong, a leading expert in mental and sexual health, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. Join us as Professor Choi shares his journey into LGBTQ+ healthcare research and discusses the unique health challenges faced by this community in Hong Kong. We will explore critical topics, including:

- The current state of healthcare access for LGBTQ+ individuals in Hong Kong

- The importance of inclusive sexual health education

- The impact of societal stigma on mental health and healthcare utilisation

- Strategies for improving health outcomes through better policies and practices

Professor Choi emphasises the urgent need for comprehensive healthcare solutions that cater to the diverse needs of LGBTQ+ individuals. Tune in for an enlightening discussion on how we can advocate for better health resources and support for the LGBTQ+ community, fostering a more inclusive society for all.

Learn More: www.communitybusiness.org

On this World Suicide Prevention Day, we invite you to join us for a heartfelt and important episode of Up for Discussion. We are honored to welcome Jess Hulton, Director and Founder of The New Normal (TNN) charity in Hong Kong, and Désirée Fong, Director of Equity and Inclusion on the TNN HK board.

In this episode, Jess and Désirée share their personal journeys that led them to establish TNN, a charity dedicated to challenging mental health stigma and providing peer support to those in need. With over 1,200 individuals benefiting from their services, TNN is making a significant impact in the community.

We will explore critical topics, including:

- The importance of peer support in mental health

- The cultural challenges surrounding mental health discussions in Hong Kong

- The alarming rise in suicide rates and the factors contributing to this crisis

- Practical strategies for preventing suicide and supporting those in distress

Jess and Désirée emphasise that suicide is one of the most preventable issues we face, and they share their insights on how open conversations and empathetic listening can save lives.

Tune in for this essential discussion as we shed light on mental health, the power of community, and the steps we can all take to support one another.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of self-harm or suicide, we encourage you to reach out for help. Your mental health matters, and you are not alone.

Resources:

Hong Kong: Caritas 24-hour Crisis Line 18288

Singapore: Institute of Mental Health 6389 2222

India: 1Life +91 78930 78930

Mainland China: Crisis 800–810–1117 (for landline callers) or 010–8295–1332 (for mobile and VoIP callers)

Philippines: National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline 1553

Japan: TELL Lifeline 0800-300-8355

Other resources: www.iasp.info/suicidalthoughts/

Financial Literacy for Kids | Up for Discussion with Will Rainey

Did you know that 86% of people say their financial situation has worsened their mental health? In our latest episode of Up for Discussion, we welcome Will Rainey, author of Grandpa's Fortune Fables and a passionate advocate for teaching kids about money. Will shares his journey from investment consultant to empowering parents to educate their children about financial management. We explore:

- The importance of financial literacy for kids

- Societal taboos surrounding money conversations

- Practical tips for fostering healthy money habits

- How financial education shapes career choices and wellbeing

Will emphasizes the power of financial knowledge:

"If children know how to manage their money when they're young, it empowers them to make so many different decisions when they're adults."

This episode is essential for parents, educators, and anyone interested in breaking the cycle of financial illiteracy. Join us for an insightful discussion on raising financially savvy kids and creating a more secure future!

This Olympics made history with 193 openly out athletes winning a total of 42 total medals, ranking 7th if they were a country. In this episode of Up for Discussion, we have Alan Lang, the co-chair of Gay Games. He led a team of 270 volunteers, successfully raised 3.4 million USD, and organised 18 sports events along with opening and closing ceremonies. A true feat of LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports. In this episode, we discussed:

- Unique challenges LGBTQ+ athletes face in professional sports

- Transphobia in sports and how to educate people about this topic

- The recent controversy surrounding boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-Ting

- How to create a more inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ athletes

Learn More: www.communitybusiness.org

How can we create impactful change in the world of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I)?

In this episode of Up for Discussion, we welcome Jeiz Robles, Director of DE&I at Community Business and one of Involve's Top 20 Global LGBTQ+ Future Leaders. Jeiz, a Filipina, bisexual, neurodivergent woman, shares her journey from the corporate world to leading DE&I initiatives in Asia. We explore:

- The evolution of DE&I practices

- Pandemic's impact on employee wellbeing

- Emerging trends in workplace inclusion

- Importance of community building

- Supporting diverse identities in organizations

Jeiz offers a fresh perspective on measuring DE&I success:

"The real measure is when people can freely talk about their experiences, ideas, and themselves without second-guessing."

This episode is essential for anyone seeking to understand DE&I's critical role in creating equitable workplaces. Join us for an insightful discussion on fostering inclusivity in the modern workplace.

How is Social Mobility Advancing DE&I in Asia? Our guest, Holly McGhee, Diversity, Equity & Inclusiveness Director at EY Asia Pacific, dives into the intricacies of socio-economic status in Asia. She shares her personal journey with social mobility, how it can make an impact in the workplace and why now is the right time to further this conversation. She also shares insights on the Community Business’ upcoming research on social mobility. 

We would like to become a place where people who come from different socio-economic backgrounds can thrive, can really bring their full selves; the different perspectives that they have and their different experiences, together adding value to our organization.  

- Holly McGhee, Diversity, Equity & Inclusiveness Director at EY Asia Pacific 

Learn More: www.communitybusiness.org

This episode of Up for Discussion features Cattreeya Thithiwongsawet, Asia Regional Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Leader at Seagate Technology.

Watch the video to learn about:

1) Cat's journey to becoming a DE&I leader 

2) Some pivotal experiences that shaped Cat's approach to LGBTQ+ inclusion?  

3) How did Cat navigate the complexities of promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion in a region with diverse cultural, religious, and legal contexts?

This episode of Up for Discussion features Meenu Bhambhani from State Street, delves into the topic of disability inclusion and the rapidly advancing AI and accessibility landscape, in conversation with our Executive Director Sandhya Manoj.

Watch the video to learn about:

👉 How lack of accessibility affects the inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace

👉 Use of accessibility tools in the workplace and the apprehensions around them

👉 What organisations need to do to empower, enable and support people with disabilities, while making workplaces more accessible

"There is a lot of conversation around raising awareness... I think we've done a lot in terms of raising awareness. I think now is the time to take action. If we're not going to take action, we're going to be raising awareness for the next 20 years and nothing is going to happen." - Manisha Wijesinghe, Executive Director, HELP for Domestic Workers

Ahead of International Domestic Workers Day on 16 Jun, we invited Manisha Wijesinghe, Executive Director of HELP for Domestic Workers to join us on Up for Discussion. Manisha's knowledge and expertise on migrant workers' experiences in Hong Kong brings a different perspective to understanding systemic inequality in the market, as well as encouraging the future of DE&I to broaden its horizons.

Watch the video to learn about:

👉What migrant domestic workers mean for the care economy

👉What role migrant domestic workers play in Hong Kong's society

👉How DE&I leaders can think more broadly about including the Care Economy in their initiatives and policies

Period Equity and Creating Social Impact: Insights from the Found of LUÜNA Naturals

This episode of Up for Discussion features Olivia Cotes-James, the Founder and CEO of LUÜNA Naturals sharing insights about:

👉The importance of destigmatising menstruation

👉Creating social impact and the social enterprise business model

👉How increasing awareness about periods benefits the entire workforce

👉Successful programmes LUÜNA has run that have had a positive impact on society

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