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Hong Kong’s social exclusion has worsened in recent years. Resolve Foundation is here to change that.Â
Hong Kong is recognized as a lively and dynamic place to live in. However, it is also one of the most unequal cities. The need for a more welcoming Hong Kong has catalysed Victoria Wisniewski Otero to start Resolve Foundation, a nonprofit organisation that empowers future community leaders from different walks of life.Â
In this episode, Victoria joins us to share about the reality of inequality and exclusion in Hong Kong, the humble beginnings of Resolve Foundation, and her driving force in striving to make the city a place of and for everyone.
Recording with Victoria Wisniewski Otero (in the middle) at Campfire’s Recording Studio in Wong Chuk Hang
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU LEARN ABOUT…
- The plight of inequality in Hong Kong’s communities
- The significance of human rights to combat/stop discrimination in society
- The direct impact of shaping future community leaders to promote a better environment
- The positive effect of collaborations for more resounding change
- The reason for choosing racial inequality and inclusion as the theme for Resolve Foundation’s inaugural program
Starting from scratchÂ
Victoria remembers the vulnerability she felt when launching a new idea for the first time. She recalls talking to fellow NGO workers and gaining encouragement from them, which gave her the push she needed to set up the foundation. She is humbled by the tremendous support people have given her and is well on track to scale up her work.
Resolve Foundation Fellows – the emerging leaders of tomorrow. Â Photo Credit: Resolve Foundation
Resolve Foundation is all about the emerging leaders
Resolve Foundation provides fellowships to the future leaders from underrepresented communities to help deepen their leadership development, human rights education and campaigning skills through mentoring, group workshops and collaboration on a final project.
Why Racial Equality and Inclusion as their first programme theme?
Victoria believes that it is such a neglected issue in Hong Kong and that it’s time people put more of their attention to these concerns. By providing effective training in voicing out their opinions and initiating programs, minorities are given the opportunity to turn Hong Kong into a more sound community for all. Also, Hong Kong going to be reviewed for the first time in 9 years by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. There is a momentum and Resolve Foundation is taking the lead in raising awareness for this so often overlooked topic in Hong Kong.Â
Look at those smiles! Resolve Launch & Fellowship Celebration Photo Credit: Resolve Foundation
Resolve Foundation’s Incredible Inaugural Program
The people involved in their program, also called the fellows, are guided by well-versed social leaders in Hong Kong, like for example Bess Hepworth, LGBTIQ Activist and Founder of Planet Ally. (Bess features in Episode 34 An Ally to advance Human Rights).
The fellows attend workshops, coaching and peer-mentoring to create an action plan to address the social issues they want to resolve and to raise awareness in racial equality and inclusion.
Photo Credit: Resolve Foundation
Constantly Improving the Fellowship
To make sure that the Fellowship program delivers the most expedient results, Victoria and her team have meticulously devised interviews, feedbacks, and mid-evaluation focus groups. They try to capture as much feedback from the fellows as they can to ensure constant development and improvement.
The Positive Changes they aim to Bring Hong Kong
Their Fellows have started to exercise their voices by sharing programs and plans they want to implement. Some of the aspects they plan on focusing on are problems regarding regression, social injustice, colour and ethnicity, refugees, war and politics, unemployment and gender equality.
Resolve Empowering future community leaders for an inclusive Hong Kong. Photo Credit: Resolve Foundation
Leaders of tomorrow
Victoria is empowering the leaders of tomorrow and recently she herself was listed by Hong Kong Tatler as one of the 50 Generation T 2018 Game changers that show the potential and passion to become Hong Kong’s future leaders. In our eyes, Victoria is a leader already making Hong Kong’s future much brighter. We are so impressed by what she has achieved in such a short amount of time and can not wait to see what is ahead for Resolve Foundation.
We have to innovate in Human Rights, says Resolve Foundation Founder Victoria Wisniewski Otero @resolve_hk Share on X
Scroll all the way up and press play to hear Victoria’s story
Our learnings from this episode. Have something to add? Get in touch with us here!
Our learnings and ways to get involved
- The importance of collaboration and lifting each other up
- Social issues worthy of attention need collaborative work and support. Remember that one cannot simply solve the predicaments a society has. But if we strive to resolve these issues together, we can come up with significant and timely resolutions.
- Support Resolve Foundation by donating, collaborating or simply sharing their work with people in your network
Useful Resources
Resolve Foundation:Â
Victoria Otero:
Survivors Speak Out:
- https://twitter.com/ssoonline?lang=en
- https://www.freedomfromtorture.org/survivor_activism/survivors_speak_out
Campfire Recording Studio:
