1,600 local students participate in this year’s English essay contest

The award ceremony for the Macau-wide English Essay Competition (MEEC) took place at the Macao Science Centre and prizes were awarded to 61 young writers among 1,600 students from 47 local schools.

The competition, which aims to promote understanding of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, is now in its third year. This year’s theme, “Nature and Me,” prompted participants aged 9 to 25 to explore the relationship between humanity and the natural environment. The essays were evaluated by a panel of judges through blind judging rounds.

Feng Du Wen from the University of Saint Joseph won first prize in the college category for his essay on economic growth and its impact on climate change. Other first prize winners included Cheong Lok Ian from high school, Ho Tak In from middle school, and Lao Chi Tou from primary school.

The chair of the MEEC Organising Committee, Sandy Leong, praised the students’ choice of topics, noting that they went beyond the typical subjects of nature, biodiversity, and animals to discuss economy, responsible consumption, and food. The event also provided students with the opportunity to deliver speeches and discuss their compositions.

The prize giving ceremony, organized by the Macao Professional Speaking Association (MPSA) and two other local associations, was attended by various guests, including Leong Cheng I from the Cultural Affairs Bureau and Keith Buckley, the chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce. Staff Reporter