USJ’s International Symposium addresses Challenges and Explores Strategies for Sustainable Well-being in Children and Youth
USJ’s International Symposium addresses Challenges and Explores Strategies for Sustainable Well-being in Children and Youth
30
Nov
30/11/2023
The “2023 International Symposium on Children and Youth Health and Well-being”, in collaboration with the Faculty of Health Sciences of USJ, the Macao Observatory for Social Development of USJ, the Faculty of Education and Psychology of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa, and the Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau, proudly concluded on 24 November 2023.
The “2023 International Symposium on Children and Youth Health and Well-being”, co-organised by the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Saint Joseph (USJ), the Macao Observatory for Social Development of USJ, the Faculty of Education and Psychology of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP) in Portugal, and the Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau (KWNC), and sponsored by Macao Foundation, was held with success on 24 November 2023. The event brought together over 100 university students, academics and researchers, social workers, psychologists and other professionals working in the field of healthcare and child well-being.
This interdisciplinary symposium provided a platform for scholars, researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers to connect and make meaningful contributions to knowledge and policy building on children and youth health and well-being, particularly in light of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 – to ensure healthy lives and promote the well-being for children and youth.
The opening ceremony was held at the Auditório Centenário de Fátima in USJ Ilha Verde Campus. Officiating guests include Mr. Au Weng Chi, Executive Council Members of Macau Foundation, Mr. Choi Sio Un, Department Head of Department of Social Solidarity of Social Welfare Bureau. Mr. Ao Ieong Chin Tat, Function Head of the Centre of Psycho-Pedagogical Support and Special Education of the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, Dr. Teresa Loong, Vice-Rector for Student Affairs of USJ, Prof. Ng Wai I, Vice-President of Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau, Prof. Jacky Ho, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Director of Macao Observatory for Social Development, Mr. Yuen Chi Hoi, Service Director of Caritas Macau, Ms. Leong Meng Ian, Director of Childcare Service of Macau Federation of Trade Unions, Mr. Kong Chio Iok, General Union of Neighbourhood Associations of Macau, Ms. Chan Oi Chu, The Women’s General Association of Macau, Mr. Ip Kam Bo, Service Director of the S.K.H. Macau Social Service Coordination Office, Fr. Michael Cheung, IVE, Chaplaincy of USJ, and Prof. Helen Liu, Research Coordinator for Faculty of Health Science of USJ.
In his opening speech, Professor Jacky Ho, Dean of Faculty of Health Sciences and the Director of the Macao Observatory for Social Development of USJ, said “We are now at the beginning of a new, rapidly evolving era since the COVID-19 pandemic, in which we need to be more concerned about the sustainability of our global societies and act quickly and effectively to protect our young generation and create a safer, healthier and more lively environment for their health and well-being.” Prof. Ho also cited the World Health Organization’s (WHO) newly released “Global Accelerated Action for the Health of Adolescents (AA-HA!): guidance to support country implementation, second edition”.
The Symposium addressed different categories in Social Work, Psychology, Education, Public Health, Medical Sciences, and other areas that focus on the health and well-being of children and the youth, through six keynotes speakers in the morning session, including Prof.. Yi Song from Peking University, Dr. Tam Kuai In from Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau, Prof. Mariana Negrão from Catholic University of Portugal, Dr. Chien-Chung Huang from Rutgers University, Prof. Yi-Long Liu from Fu Jen Catholic University, and Dr. Elsa Tsang from USJ.
The parallel sessions addressed various issues and social problems impacting the lives, health and wellbeing of our new generation, in response to the SDG 3: “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”, and SDG 3.4: “By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being”. It featured remarkable and insightful presentations of 25 submitted academic research papers in six themes, namely “Technology and Well-being”, “Use of Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA) in Macao”, “Health and Mental Health”, “Child Protection and Family and Well-being”, “Promoting Resilience and Well-Being”, and “Stress, School, and Inclusion”, and a research workshop “International System for Trauma-Sensitive Contexts-2nd Autumn Research Workshop”.
The Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Saint Joseph is committed to bridging research into practical solutions, engaging with different stakeholders to safeguard of our young generation and promote health and well-being for a brighter future.
For more information about the International Symposium on Children and Youth Health and Well-being, please visit the official website.
