Oxfam Hong Kong announced today the appointment of Ms Kalina Tsang as Director General of Oxfam Hong Kong with effect from 9 April 2020.

‘Kalina has been a committed, long-serving member of Oxfam Hong Kong, and has abundant experience in driving research and campaigns, poverty alleviation and humanitarian programmes, development education as well as corporate social responsibility both locally and globally. Over the past decade, she has led her teams to contribute to impressive pro-poor advocacy and policy change, such as the establishment of the first official poverty line in Hong Kong, and has strengthened the voices of the poor through localised global initiatives such as our campaigns on global inequality. She has also spearheaded an innovative Chinese language programme for ethnic minority kindergarteners so they have access to the same opportunities for success as Chinese-speaking children. With her deep understanding of these issues and of the social welfare sector, along with her passion for ending the injustices of poverty, we are pleased to have Kalina on board as our new Director General,’ said Mr Cheung Yuk Tong, Chair of Oxfam Hong Kong Council.

‘With her wealth of experience in a wide range of areas in the field, as well as her proven leadership and management skills, I am confident that Kalina will be able to lead Oxfam Hong Kong in the years to come in the face of the challenges ahead and achieve our vision of “A World Without Poverty”’, added Mr Cheung.

Ms Tsang said that she was honoured to be appointed to lead the dedicated staff at Oxfam Hong Kong. ‘Having worked at the organisation for the past 18 years, I have witnessed first-hand how our work has changed people’s lives for the better. From my days as a programme officer when I first joined Oxfam, to my most recent role as Director of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan Programme, I have seen just how crucial and necessary Oxfam’s holistic approach has been to putting an end to poverty. As an international organisation established in Hong Kong, Oxfam Hong Kong will continue to tackle the root cause of poverty both here at home and abroad. I look forward to continuing to make a mark in the fight against poverty together with our committed colleagues, our trusted partners and all of civil society.’   

On behalf of the Council, Mr Cheung also thanked Dr Stephen Fisher for his invaluable efforts and contributions over the past 20 months as Acting Director General. Dr Fisher re-joined Oxfam Hong Kong in August 2018 after retiring from his role as Director General in 2015. After his return, he ensured Oxfam Hong Kong’s smooth operation amid challenging times in Hong Kong.

Brief biographical note on Ms Kalina Tsang: 
Ms Kalina Tsang has worked at Oxfam Hong Kong since 2002. Prior to assuming her role as Director General, she served as Director of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan Programme. 

She has led a wide range of poverty alleviation programmes, research, campaigns, educational and humanitarian initiatives in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan which address both local and global poverty issues. Locally, for instance, she pioneered ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) research and advocacy work and was the agency’s lead on private sector issues with Oxfam International. Her major achievements include leading teams to contribute to pro-poor advocacy and policy changes, such as the establishment of the first poverty line in Hong Kong, new subsidy scheme for low-income families, minimum wage legislation for the working poor and Chinese language education policies and innovative programmes for ethnic minority children. She pioneered and expanded Oxfam’s poverty alleviation and development education programmes in Macau and Taiwan. Internationally, she has also contributed to Oxfam’s global campaigns, such as the ‘Make Trade Fair’ campaign, corporate social responsibility and labour rights campaigns, food justice campaign as well as Oxfam’s global inequality campaign. 

Ms Tsang holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Harvard University in USA. She also holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree in Social Work from the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
 

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About Oxfam
Oxfam is a worldwide development organisation that mobilises the power of people against poverty.
 

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