Jonathan’s social justice journey began when he was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at the age of 37. The more he has gained knowledge about ADHD and ASD and taken part in activities organized by relevant advocacy groups, the more he is motivated to challenge the norms and definitions presented to him. Over time, he has realized that his disability is a vital form of neurodiversity.
Jonathan is one of the Board Directors of the Fair Trade Hong Kong Foundation, and has been an Education Committee Member of the Foundation. He has participated in the Global Seminar organized by The HKFYG Jockey Club School of Global Leadership in Osaka, Japan and on Peace Boat. Expressing his unique point of view, he has written an article on the employment of public servants with disabilities. Lately, he has also completed the Talent4Impact Fellowship – a program nurturing the next generation of Environmental, Social and Governance and Impact Investing professionals.
To Jonathan, disability rights are about more than just a registration card. Removing social stigma, providing legal rights education, securing employment opportunities, and allowing free and affordable access to mental health and other related services are crucial to empowering people with disabilities. As a former civil servant, he believes that the government should not only implement policies to accommodate people with disabilities, but it should also facilitate legal protections and create a welcoming place for people with disabilities. Understanding the challenges faced by people with disabilities through his personal experiences, he is broadly interested in making Hong Kong a more inclusive place.
Jonathan is passionate about championing the benefits of a diverse Hong Kong by introducing the best practices of other countries, and working with different parties to lobby lawmakers. He proposes the revision of anti-discrimination regulations to be in line with the current international standards. Moreover, he is dedicated to developing a comprehensive plan to help youths with ASD and ADHD to prepare for life after school.
He joined the Fellowship to gain access to mentoring, networking opportunities, and workshops about self-care and advocacy. To promote mental wellness in Hong Kong, he serves as an Ambassador of Mind HK and was featured by Skypost of Hong Kong Economic Times and RTHK Radio 3 in September 2021. In addition, Jonathan also served as a panelist for events organized by the Hong Kong International Literary Festival, apolitical – a British organization for civil servants all over the world and the University of Hong Kong. He has also served as an organizing committee member of the Hong Kong ADHD Awareness Week since 2021.
In his free time, Jonathan is enthusiastic about Western classical music and opera; he especially admires the works of Gustav Mahler, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Richard Wanger, and Richard Strauss. He also likes to read non-fiction books and appreciate artwork.