Upholding the Core Values of Our Society
Hey everyone! Ready to dive into what makes our society in Hong Kong tick? In this chapter, we're going to explore our society's core values. Think of them as the secret ingredients or the 'rules of the game' that help make our city a fair, stable, and good place to live. Understanding them is super important because we all have a part to play in protecting them!
What are Core Values and Why Do They Matter?
Core values are the fundamental beliefs and principles that a group of people, like everyone in Hong Kong, share. They guide our actions, our laws, and how we treat each other.
Analogy: Imagine building with LEGO. Your core values are like the big, flat baseplate you build everything on. Without a strong base, your creation would be wobbly and could fall apart easily!
In this chapter, we'll focus on some of the most important values for Hong Kong society: Freedom and Fairness.
Part 1: The Value of Freedom
Freedom of Opinion and Expression
What is it?
This is a big one! Freedom of opinion and expression means you have the right to think your own thoughts (opinion) and to share those thoughts with others (expression). This can be through speaking, writing, art, social media, or joining a peaceful protest.
It’s a key part of a free society because it allows for new ideas to be shared and for people to discuss important issues openly.
A Balancing Act: Protection and Constraints
While this freedom is protected, it's not unlimited. It must be balanced with the responsibility to not harm others or endanger society. These limits are called constraints.
Think of it like a balance scale. On one side, you have your right to speak freely. On the other side, you have the need to protect other people's rights, reputation, and safety.
Here are some examples of constraints:
• Slander and Libel: You cannot knowingly tell lies to ruin someone else's reputation.
• Inciting Violence: You cannot use your words to encourage others to become violent or commit crimes.
• Public Safety: You can't falsely shout "Fire!" in a crowded movie theatre, as it would cause panic and could get people hurt.
Who Cares About This Freedom?
Lots of different groups in society see this freedom as very important:
• The Government: Upholds this right as it is written in our laws, like the Basic Law.
• Political and Social Groups: Use this freedom to debate policies and suggest changes to improve society.
• Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Rely on it to raise awareness about issues like poverty or the environment.
• The Media: Journalists need this freedom to report the news and keep the public informed.
• Individuals (like you!): We use it every day when we chat with friends, post online, or discuss current events.
Key Takeaway
Freedom of expression is a core value that lets us share ideas, but it comes with the responsibility to use it wisely and without harming others. It's a right that many different groups in society work to protect.
Part 2: The Value of Fairness
Fairness and the Rich-Poor Gap
Fairness, or social equity, means that everyone should have a fair chance to succeed in life, regardless of how wealthy their family is. One of the biggest challenges to fairness in Hong Kong is the gap between the rich and the poor.
What is the "Rich-Poor Gap"?
This is the difference in income and wealth between the wealthiest and the poorest people in a society. When this gap is very large, it can create challenges for society.
Did you know? According to a report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Hong Kong has one of the largest rich-poor gaps among the world's developed economies. This is why it's such an important topic for us!
How Do We Measure the Gap?
Don't worry, you don't need to do complex maths! Experts use special tools called indicators to measure the gap. These indicators look at data like income levels and spending patterns to see how big the difference is and whether it's growing or shrinking over time. It's like how a doctor uses a thermometer to measure your temperature.
Why Does a Big Gap Matter? (The Impact)
A large gap between the rich and poor can affect everyone in society. Some impacts include:
• Fewer Opportunities: It can be harder for people from poorer families to get a good education or healthcare, limiting their potential.
• Social Problems: It can lead to feelings of hopelessness and unfairness, which might cause social instability.
• Impact on the Economy: A society is less productive if many of its people cannot afford to improve their skills or live a healthy life.
Analogy: Imagine a race where some runners get a huge head start and have the best running shoes, while others start way behind with no shoes at all. It doesn't feel like a fair race, does it? A large rich-poor gap can feel like that in society.
What's Being Done? (Efforts and Constraints)
Many groups are working to narrow the gap, but they face challenges (constraints).
Efforts by the Government:
• Providing social welfare (like CSSA) and subsidies for housing, transport, and healthcare.
• Setting a minimum wage to protect low-income workers.
Efforts by NGOs:
• Running food banks, offering free tutoring for students, and providing job training.
Efforts by Individuals:
• Donating money or time to charities and volunteering in the community.
Constraints they face:
• The government has a limited budget and must balance many different needs.
• The problems are very complex, and people often disagree on the best solutions.
• It takes a long time to see the results of these efforts.
Key Takeaway
Fairness is a core value threatened by a large rich-poor gap. The government, NGOs, and individuals are all making efforts to narrow this gap, but it's a very complex problem with no easy solution.
Going Deeper: Building a Better Hong Kong
Fairness and freedom are even stronger when supported by other important values. Let's look at a few more!
Diversity and Inclusiveness
What Does This Mean?
Diversity means our society is made up of people from many different backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, and abilities. Inclusiveness means we welcome, respect, and value every single person, making sure they have the chance to participate fully in society.
Analogy: An inclusive society is like a delicious pizza with lots of different toppings. Every topping adds its own unique flavour, and together they make the pizza amazing!
How Do We Promote It?
• Creating "barrier-free" access, like adding ramps for wheelchair users.
• Celebrating cultural festivals from different communities.
• Having laws that protect people from being treated unfairly (discrimination).
Why is it important? It's essential for fairness (everyone gets a chance) and freedom (people are free to be themselves without fear).
Clean, Honesty, and Integrity
What Does This Mean?
This value is all about being trustworthy, playing by the rules, and fighting against corruption. Integrity means doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.
Think about playing a board game. If one person cheats, the game is no longer fun or fair for anyone. It's the same in society!
How Do We Promote It?
• Having strong anti-corruption bodies like the ICAC (Independent Commission Against Corruption).
• Teaching the importance of honesty in schools and at home.
• Ensuring our government and businesses are transparent and accountable.
Why is it important? Corruption is the enemy of fairness. It creates an uneven playing field where people can succeed by cheating instead of through hard work. A society built on honesty is one where people can trust each other and feel safe.
Quick Review Box
• Diversity & Inclusiveness: Valuing everyone's differences makes our society stronger.
• Honesty & Integrity: Being trustworthy and fighting corruption ensures society is fair for all.
• The Big Connection: All these values work together! A society that is diverse, inclusive, and honest is naturally a more fair and free place to live.
Upholding these core values isn't just the government's job—it's up to all of us. By understanding, respecting, and living these values in our daily lives, we all help make Hong Kong a better place. You can make a difference!