61 Youths Chosen Among 1600 Participants in the 3rd Macao-wide English Essay Competition

Macao, China 

Organized by the Macao Professional Speaking Association (MPSA) and co-organized by Language Exchange & Cultural Promotion Association, Society of Food & Environmental Health (Macao), and Sustainable Development Association, the “Macao-wide English Essay Competition (MEEC)” wrapped up its 2023-2024 competition with an award ceremony on March 16, 2024, at the Macao Science Center. 

As the first English essay competition in Macao geared towards promoting the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals, this year’s theme was “Nature and Me”, challenging students to explore the connection between humanity and the natural world.  The winning essays covered a wide range of topics,  including water resources, green city, clean energy, climate action, biodiversity, responsible consumption and production, and more.

During the event, student representatives gave speeches and shared their essays. A lively student discussion panel, followed by a judge’s discussion panel, was also featured in order to give youth a chance to share their visions for the future and facilitate meaningful dialogue about the topic. 

Organizing Committee Chair of MEEC and Executive Vice President of the MPSA, Sandy Leong remarks that the event hopes to nurture a sense of ownership for youths within their own communities. “By reflecting on various issues that they see, young people can learn to form their own solutions to the problems they are most concerned about,” she said. “The process should also provide a cycle of learning, for both young people and adults involved. Through meaningful discussion about topics like finding harmony with nature, our community can all be a part of an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future ” 

The annual essay competition is supported by SDSN Youth Hong Kong as the supervisor and the United Nations University Institute in Macau as the advisor. Divided into four categories that included youths from 9 to 25 years of age, the event attracted over 1,600 participants from 47 schools locally. A final 61 essays were awarded after multiple rounds of blind evaluations by a panel of judges. The Empowerment Award and Best Achievement Award were won by Colégio Diocesano de São José 5 and Premier School Affiliated to Hou Kong Middle School respectively. On the day of the award ceremony, “Nature and Me”, a collection of the winning students’ essays, was also released.

Other guests attending the ceremony included

Leong Cheng I, Acting Division Chief of Cultural Affairs Bureau, 

Cheong Hung Fat, Deputy Curator of Macao Science Center, 

Sharon Leong, Acting Centre Director of Education and Youth Development Bureau,

Keith Buckley, Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce, Macao,

Ma Io Fong, Deputy Secretary-General of The Chinese Educators Association of Macau,  

Sophia Chan, Corporate Communications Manager of Macao Water, 

Toby Lau, Network Coordinator of SDSN Hong Kong, 

Dr. Min Yang, Researcher of the United Nations University Institute in Macau,

Ruby O, Chairperson of Society of Food & Environmental Health,

Terence Lee, President of Sustainable Development Association, 

Lisa Wong, Vice President of Language Exchange and Culture Promotion Association, 

Eragon Fong, Club Growth Director of Toastmasters International District 89, 

Maggie Chan, President of Macau Speech Professionals Association, 

and other representatives from youth organizations, school principals, teachers, students, and their family. Nearly 170 attendees came together to celebrate this event.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Iris Chan
Email: meec@essaymacao.com