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In the Eyes of Elsie Tu

Book cover of the Colonial Hong Kong in the Eyes of Elsie Tu

Elsie Tu 杜葉錫恩HonDSocSc 1988

Elsie Tu, who was conferred a Doctor of Social Sciences honoris causa by HKU at the 133rd Congregation, passed away at the age of 102.

 

The book “Colonial Hong Kong in the Eyes of Elsie Tu”, written by Elsie herself, was published by HKU Press in 2003:

 

“I write this book because I believe that human beings can only comprehend the present when they understand the past, and they can only make a better future when they learn from previous errors. And I feel compelled to alert the younger generation of the dangers that confront the world today from those obsessed with wealth and power. I hope that all prejudices and evil ambitions can be set aside, and an equal playing field can be created for all nations.”

 

The citation for Elsie at the 133rd Congregation:

 

"In a period of over thirty years, Elsie Tu has been witness to the enormous changes which have occurred in this Territory. But she has not been a bystander, a mere observer of the social development here. On the contrary she has been closely involved in the changes, following the dictates of her conscience with such a sense of purpose and resolve that she has found herself from time to time to be the very instrument of change."

I believe that human beings can only comprehend the present when they understand the past, and they can only make a better future when they learn from previous errors.