MUSCAT: The second edition of the Children and Family Forum is set to take place at Al Sahwa Park from October 1 to 18, coinciding with the celebration of Arab Children’s Day. The 18-day event brings together awareness, education, entertainment, culture and skills development, with the participation of a number of government and private sector institutions, including the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Social Development, Muscat Municipality and the Ministry of Education, in addition to a number of supporting and partner organisations.
Held under the theme ‘Every Child is an Ambassador’, the forum highlights the importance of children as active members of society, recognising their abilities, talents and aspirations and stressing that investment in childhood is an investment in the future of Oman.
The second edition builds on the success of the inaugural forum and the strong public response it received. This year’s expanded programme seeks to offer a comprehensive experience for children, families, specialists, students, jobseekers and visitors from Oman and abroad.
Shaikh Mansour bin Nasser al Hinai, Director-General of the Capital Centre for International Exhibitions and Secretary-General of the Children and Family Forum, said the second edition comes with a broader and more ambitious vision, building on the success of the first edition and the level of public engagement it generated.
He noted that the forum aims to establish itself as an integrated community platform bringing together knowledge, culture, entertainment and skills development, while creating a lasting positive impact on society.
The broad participation of government and private sector institutions is among the key strengths of the forum. The Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social Development, Muscat Municipality and Ministry of Education are taking part alongside a number of government and private organisations.
Their participation will contribute to enriching the forum’s programmes and activities across health, social, educational, cultural and family-related areas, while reinforcing the principle of partnership in supporting children and families.
As part of its commitment to inclusion and community participation, the forum will provide a dedicated range of activities and interactive programmes for children with disabilities, designed to take into account their individual needs and abilities.
The initiative underlines the forum’s commitment to ensuring that all children have the opportunity to participate, learn, interact and discover their talents in an inclusive and supportive environment.
The activities will also provide children with disabilities and their families with an opportunity to take part in a safe and engaging experience that supports confidence, highlights abilities and promotes greater social inclusion.
This approach reflects the essence of the forum’s theme, ‘Every Child is an Ambassador’, which is based on the belief that every child has a talent, ability and voice that deserves to be recognised and supported.
A key feature of the forum will be a wide range of workshops and awareness programmes for parents, aimed at providing them with knowledge and practical tools to better understand their children’s needs and respond to the challenges facing families today.
The workshops will create a platform for dialogue, learning and exchange of experiences, while introducing parents to new approaches to communication and parenting and helping them better understand their children’s interests, abilities and aspirations.
The programmes reflect the forum’s belief that the family is the first environment in which a child’s personality develops, and that empowering parents with knowledge and awareness has a direct impact on children’s development, wellbeing and confidence.
The forum will also place particular emphasis on raising awareness of child protection and Oman’s laws and regulations relating to children, through educational programmes and awareness content designed to increase families’ understanding of children’s rights and the mechanisms available for their protection.
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