New Initiative by the Multiculturalism in Action Project 2017 多元文化行動計劃2017全新活動！

The Multiculturalism in Action Project (MIA) launched a new initiative in 2017 – the ICONIC Mums Program, with an aim to foster friendship and mutual empowerment among women of different ethnic backgrounds. The first of six workshops, The Social Me: Horizontal Organization Workshop, was carried out at the School of Everyday Life on 1 July 2017. Ms. Eno Yim and Ms. Yip Lok Man were the speakers.

Twenty-six participants from Chinese, Filipino, Nepali, Indian, and Pakistani backgrounds began the day’s event with games that aimed to build mutual trust.

多元文化行動計劃 (MIA) 於2017年開展全新活動: “ICONIC媽媽課程” ，目的是讓來自不同文化和族裔背景的婦女建立友誼和相互充權。課程共有六次工作坊，率先登場的是 “我的團隊：團隊建立工作坊” ，於2017年7月1日在大埔生活書院舉行。導師是嚴惠英女士和葉洛民女士。

當天共有26位參加者，包括華裔、菲律賓裔、尼泊爾裔、印度裔和巴基斯坦裔婦女。工作坊以建立互信的遊戲開始，現場立即響起歡樂的笑聲。

A game of trust “信心互扣”遊戲

Ms. Yim then presented documentaries on Hong Kong’s organic farmers. Having learned the importance of organic farming and sustainable lifestyle, participants had a chance to cook together, using organic vegetables from local farms. In only 30 minutes, more than 10 delicious dishes in various cultural styles were done. Everyone had fun and appreciated how people of different cultures could work together really well!

惠英導師播放了有關香港有機農夫的紀錄片，讓大家了解有機耕種和可持續生活模式的重要性。接著，參加者利用本地農場出產的有機蔬菜泡製一頓素宴。短短三十分鐘，十道熱騰騰的菜色便出現眼前。雖然它們都叫“咖喱雜菜”，但每個菜式的色、香、味都不一樣，可說是跨文化合作的具體示範。更重要的是，每個人都樂在其中，並欣賞到來自不同文化背景的人，要建立良好的合作關係一點也不困難！

Organic vegetables from local farms were the main ingredients. 主要食材是本地有機蔬菜

The impromptu menu 即席設計的菜單

Our intercultural lunch  我們的跨文化素宴

In the afternoon, participants visited the OMAK Practice installation (“OMAK” stands for “Observe Merit, Appreciate Kindness”). Using examples from everyday life, participants were guided to appreciate the merits and kindness of others. In the “Who made my life” section, Ms. Yip showed us how many people are involved in making simple things possible. For example, we are able to read a book because tree fellers, mill workers, authors, and transport laborers etc. all took part in the process. We should therefore learn to be grateful.

下午，大家參觀了OMAK感恩研習室，“OMAK”的意思為“觀功、念恩”，提醒我們在日常生活中應該反思如何欣賞別人的功德和美善。在“誰成就了我們生活”展示館，洛民老師告訴我們，就算最簡單的東西，背後都包含了不同人士的投入。例如，我們手上的書本在製作過程中包含了伐木工人、紙廠工人、作者和運輸工人等等的投入。每樣東西都得來不易，我們應該學會對生活的大小事心存感恩。

 Ms. Yip explaining the meaning of “OMAK” 洛民老師解釋 “觀功、念恩”

In the last session, participants were given postcards on which they were encouraged to express their appreciation towards other participants. It was a time for everyone to rethink the importance of team work.

在最後一個環節，每位參加者都獲發一張明信片，讓大家在其他參加者的明信片寫上感謝的說話，並溫習團隊精神的重要性。

 Postcard writing – expressing appreciation for each other 書寫明信片：書寫相互欣賞

With everyone’s participation, the first workshop was a success built on intercultural experience and mutual trust.

這個以跨文化和相互信任為主題的工作坊，在大家的積極參與下順利完成！期待下次的工作坊再見！

Reporters: Connie Lee and Zoe Zhou
記者：李穎彤、周藝