2023 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Inclusive Education Forum strengthens regional co-operation and communication (with photos)
12.10.2023

The 2023 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Inclusive Education Forum is being held today and tomorrow (October 12 and 13). The forum is organised by The Salvation Army Hong Kong and Macau Territory and the Education University of Hong Kong, with collaboration and support from the Education Bureau, the Department of Education of Guangdong Province and the Education and Youth Development Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR). The forum, with the theme "Solidarity and Inclusiveness - New Vision on Special Education in Guangdong Province, Hong Kong, and Macau", has attracted the participation of over 500 scholars in the field of special education, experts, principals, teachers, frontline educators, and parents. The opening ceremony of the forum was jointly hosted by distinguished guests from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. The guests included the Head of the Special Education Division, Department of Basic Education of the Ministry of Education, Mr Huang Wei; Deputy Director-General of the Department of Education of Guangdong Province Mr Li Biliang; the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin; the Director of the Division of Pre-school and Primary Education of the Education and Youth Development Bureau of the Macao SAR, Ms Choi Man-chi; the Chief Secretary for The Salvation Army Hong Kong and Macau Territory, Major Minny Chan; and the President of the Education University of Hong Kong, Professor John Lee. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr Choi said that the Hong Kong SAR Government attaches great importance to support for students with special educational needs (SEN students). The Whole School Approach to Integrated Education is implemented to enable SEN students to study in mainstream schools to enjoy equal educational opportunities. The forum brings together scholars, experts and teachers of integrated education from Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao. They will hold discussions from the perspectives of theory application and real-life practice, to jointly explore the future of integrated education and ways to respond to the demands and changes brought by rapid technological developments. It is hoped that students with different needs can receive equal and quality education, as well as demonstrate their potential and face challenges ahead. Dr Choi said that the Education Bureau would actively promote integrated education and strengthen regional collaboration and exchange among Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao with an aim to create a better learning and upbringing environment for children. The forum brings together scholars and experts in integrated education from Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao to jointly explore infrastructure, teacher training, curriculum development, and pedagogical innovation in integrated education, and more, through interaction and exchange. The Forum seeks to promote mutual understanding in the construction of integrated education within the region and foster further co-operation in integrated education. The activities of the Forum include keynote speeches, thematic sharing, and school visits. The keynote speakers include the Director of the Institute of Special Needs and Inclusion Education of the Education University of Hong Kong, Professor Kenneth Sin; Vice Dean of the School of Education at South China Normal University Professor Ge Xingbin; and Ms Choi Man-chi.