Organised by the Charity Association of Macau Business Readers, the week-long event commenced on Monday at Macau Anglican College with a conference programme themed “Empower Abilities: Overcoming Challenges.”
In addition to the conference, which continues on Tuesday, the festival features a diverse range of activities running through Friday. These include sports and art workshops, parental consultations, film screenings, and the Macau Golf Masters—one of the key international golf tournaments for individuals with neurodiverse conditions—scheduled to take place on Wednesday and Thursday.
Stefan Kuehn, event director and co-founder of the INCLUSION Conference Series & Festival (Macau News Agency)
Stefan Kuehn, event director and co-founder of the INCLUSION Conference Series & Festival, estimated that “between 800 and 900” participants would attend this year’s event, with over 600 already registered for various activities. The event is also attracting a global audience, with at least 135 international delegates from 31 countries and regions expected to take part.
“In Macau, or in general in the Chinese community, we still have a stigma concerning neurodiversity—parents are still ashamed of having children with special needs,” he continued. “I think we have a responsibility to help and… create a network in the [Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macau] Greater Bay Area.”
The INCLUSION initiative began in 2007 as a charitable golf tournament before evolving into a full conference in 2015. Since then, it has built momentum with increasing participation from the local community.
Helping families of neurodivergent individuals
Reflecting on the event’s growth, Kuehn noted that the opening day of the conference drew at least 95 per cent local participation, including attendees from across the Greater Bay Area such as over 100 families of neurodivergent individuals.
The Macau IC2 Association, which represents 194 local individuals with neurodivergent conditions and their families, mobilised more than 40 neurodivergent individuals, parents, and volunteers to attend Monday’s sessions.
Ruby Lou, president of the IC2 Parent Council (Macau News Agency)
Ruby Lou, president of the IC2 Parent Council, said the association has been involved in the INCLUSION Conference Series since 2018.
“We gain a lot every time we participate,” Lou said. “Through the event, we connect with global experts and professionals who can help us address our questions and challenges.”
Sharing of best practices
Beyond neurodivergent families, the opening day—held at Macau Anglican College and sponsored by Melco Resorts & Entertainment and the We Can Dream Together Foundation—also welcomed professionals, educators, and advocates.
“We are truly honoured as a school to host this important event as we proudly embrace the role of being an all-inclusive school,” Robert Alexander, principal of Macau Anglican College, said at the opening ceremony of the conference on Monday. “The collaboration that we have reflects our shared commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.”
The Monday opening was also officiated by Yu Jiawei and Choi Man Chi, representatives of the Macau Social Welfare Bureau and the Education and Youth Development Bureau, respectively. They were joined by Akiko Takahashi, executive vice president and chief of staff to the chairman and CEO of Melco Resorts, among other guests.
“This event is not only about exchanging knowledge, but about empowering families and professionals to build a society that recognises and nurtures neurodiverse talent,” said Jose Carlos Matias, vice president of the Charity Association of Macau Business Readers.
Jose-Carlos-Matias, vice-president-of -the Charity Association of Macau Business Readers. (MNA)
“This years marks the tenth anniversary of a project that encourages inspiration, dialogue, and the sharing of best practices—not only within Macau, Hong Kong, Guangdong and other parts of China, but also on a broader international stage,” said Matias, who also serves as the director of Macau Business, Business Intelligence, and Macau News Agency.
Read more at Macau News Agency
