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 2022-2023 competition with an award ceremony on May 13, 2023, at the Macao Science Center. Individual and group awards were presented, and student representatives were invited to share their winning essays in the form of speeches.
As the first English essay competition in Macao geared towards promoting the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals, this year’s theme was “An Inclusive World”. It was supported by SDSN Youth Hong Kong as the supervisor and the United Nations University Institute in Macau as the advisor. In the meantime, the competition was also recognized as part of the global celebration for UN Habitat’s Urban October 2022, World Habitat Day and World Cities Day.
The competition was divided into four categories: university, high school, middle school and upper primary. More than 1,000 students from 46 schools registered for the competition and a total of 61 entries were awarded after multiple rounds of blind evaluations by a panel of judges. The winning entries covered a wide range of topics, including gender, poverty, education, partnerships, peace and justice, and more. The “Empowerment Award” and “Best Achievement Award” were won by Premier School Affiliated to Hou Kong Middle School and Pui Ching Middle School respectively.
President of MPSA, Maggie Chan, gave a welcome speech. Afterwards, the first-prize winner of each category shared their essays in the form of speeches, and a lively panel discussion was led by the emcees with the student representatives. During the discussion session, students shared their thoughts on inclusion and the importance of sustainable development. On the day of the award ceremony, “An Inclusive World”, a collection of the winning students’ essays, was also released.
Organizing Committee Chair of MEEC and Executive Vice President of the MPSA, Sandy Leong remarked the theme was a way for students to explore the barriers to inclusion that they notice within the community and brainstorm ways we can reduce inequalities in the world.
Other guests attending the ceremony included Tam Sio Wa, Chief of the Division of Youth Development of Education and Youth Development Bureau, Cheong Hung Fat, Deputy Curator of Macao Science Center, Anita Chau, Head of Student Resources Section of University of Macau, Maggie Chan, Vice President of the British Chamber of Commerce, Macao, 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, Un Wa Lok, President of Language Exchange and Culture Promotion Association, Stanley Lai, President of Society of Food & Environmental Health, Kathy Jung, Manager of The Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Centre, Stephanie Chan, Toastmasters International District 89 Administration Manager, and other representatives from youth organizations, school principals, teachers, students, and their family. Nealy 190 attendees came together to celebrate this event.
Visit https://essaymacao.com for a comprehensive list of winners and to find out more about the essay collection.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Iris Chan
Email: meec@essaymacao.com
Group Photo
Group Photo of Student Winners
Opening Remarks
Student Discussion Panel
College First Prize Winner, Zhang Lin Xin of the University of Macao sharing her winning essay “The Silence is Speaking”
High School First Prize Winner, Sio Ka Wun of the Macau Anglican College sharing his winning essay “Toppling the Paywall”
Middle School First Prize Winner, Lao Ho Wan of Pui Ching Middle School sharing her winning essay “An Inclusive World”
Upper Primary First Prize Winner, Ng Weng Lam of Santa Rosa de Lima English Secondary School sharing her winning essay “Our Planet, Our Home”
Students speak about their thoughts on inclusion in Student Discussion Panel
