The English-Speaking Union (Hong Kong) was established in Hong Kong in December 2001 as an independent, non-profit, educational charity whose mission is to promote local and international friendship and cooperation by encouraging the wider use of the English language. The ESU is an international organisation whose branches are independent, non-political, educational entities operating in over fift
y countries, including, for example, China, Malaysia, Australia, India, the United States of America, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. The common purpose of all ESU members is to create international understanding and human achievement through the widening use of English as the language of the ¡¥global village¡¦. For millions of people, English is the key to personal achievement in the arts, business, politics and technology. The language has never been more needed, its uses more varied, its contribution to international friendship and cooperation more vital. The Union¡¦s response is to work through people-to-people exchanges, scholarships, speaking and debating competitions, conferences, and national and international programmes, all made possible by the generosity and interest of its members worldwide. The ESU (HK) is run by a group of enthusiastic volunteers led by our Chairman Dr Verner Bickley, MBE. We have different categories of membership: corporate, educational, individual and student. Our membership number, now about 150, is increasing as more and more people identify with our aims and objectives.
