A series of activities celebrating International Children’s Day will be held across Macau this year under the theme of children’s participation rights, with organisers aiming to raise public awareness of children’s rights and wellbeing while fostering a festive atmosphere in the community, according to a statement by Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) yesterday.
The “2026 International Children’s Day” activities were announced yesterday by the International Children’s Day Organising Committee, which is composed of the Social Welfare Bureau (IAS), the Legal Affairs Bureau (DSAJ), the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ), and the Sports Bureau (ID), the statement said.
This year’s programme centres on participation rights as outlined in the “Convention on the Rights of the Child”, striving to encourage greater public attention towards children’s voices and welfare, the statement said, adding that a total of 18 co-organising entities are participating in the initiative, including the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO), Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL), and Commission Against Corruption (CCAC).
Among the featured events is a cultural performance involving primary school students and members of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Macao Garrison, scheduled to take place on May 31 at the PLA Taipa Barracks.
According to the statement, 600 local primary school students are expected to participate in the event, which will include performances and interactive activities between students and military personnel. The statement noted that the programme aims to allow children to experience the festive spirit while promoting patriotism and national awareness.
On International Children’s Day itself on June 1, the statement noted that the committee will also distribute gifts to children receiving treatment at the public Conde de São Januário Hospital Centre and the private Kiang Wu Hospital, adding that the initiative is intended to convey the care and blessings of the local government and different sectors of society to hospitalised children.
In addition, several community carnival events will be organised by the Macau Federation of Trade Unions (FAOM), Caritas Macau, the General Union of Neighbourhood Associations of Macau (UGAMM) and the Women’s General Association of Macau (commonly known as Fu Luen in Cantonese), with residents invited to take part in the celebrations, the statement noted.
The series of events aims to create a joyful Children’s Day atmosphere while further promoting awareness of children’s rights and encouraging broader community participation in issues concerning children’s wellbeing, the statement concluded.
* Children’s participation rights refer to the fundamental principle that children and young people have the right to freely express their views on all matters affecting them, and that those views must be given due weight in accordance with their age and maturity. This concept is primarily grounded in Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). It shifts the perception of children from passive recipients of care and protection to active “subjects of rights” and citizens. – Gemini
This poster provided by the Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) yesterday promotes the various activities marking the June 1 International Children’s Day to be held across Macau around that time.
