Established in 1992, the Hong Kong Bahá'í Award for Service to Humanity pays tribute to a local resident who has demonstrated outstanding voluntary service to the benefit of the people of Hong Kong and/or the Mainland. The Bahá’í vision embraces a commitment toward moral, spiritual and social progress such as: promoting equality of women and men; eliminating prejudice and ending racial and ethnic strife; encouraging the concept of economic justice for all peoples; and ensuring equal access of quality education. World peace has been and remains a distinguishing concern. In Hong Kong, as it does worldwide, the Bahá’í community strives to uphold a high moral standard and views work and service to humanity as worship.
The 2006 Bahá’í Award for Service to Humanity was held on 17 November at the Helena May. Mr Bernard Chan, ExCo and LegCo Member, presented the award to Mrs Grace Ng for her exceptional services as Project Manager of the Community Inclusion Investment Fund.
The luncheon award was attended by many prominent individuals, academics and professionals. The majority of the 107 participants were non-Bahá’ís.
In addition to Mr Chan, VIPs included the Counsel General of Israel and his wife; Mr Paul Tang, Director of Social Welfare; Sir David Akers Jones, former Chief Secretary; Mr William Ryback, Deputy Chief Executive of Hong Kong Monetary Authority; Ms Sophia Kao, Chairperson of Women’s Commission and two representatives from the CPG’s Liaison Office in Hong Kong; Ms Janet Wong, Deputy Secretary for Works and Mrs Diana Chan, CEO of Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority, to name a few.
The event was covered by two Chinese newspapers. Mrs Grace Ng was interviewed by Commercial Radio and the Faith was mentioned several times. Everyone who attended seemed to enjoy themselves.