The second edition of the “International Training Programme for Macao Anti-Drug Youth Ambassadors” was launched yesterday at Lin Zexu* Memorial Museum (澳門林則徐紀念館), bringing together more than 120 participants from government entities, schools, social service institutions, and youth groups.
Co-organised by the Social Welfare Bureau (IAS), General Association of Chinese Students of Macau (AECM), Macau Youth Federation (MYF), Macau New Chinese Youth Association (MNCYA) and the Macau Youth Development Service Centre, the ceremony also featured a session discussing the achievements of the programme’s first cohort.
IAS President Wilson Hon Wai noted in his opening remarks that the local government launched the programme’s first edition in 2024 as a two-year initiative aimed at training young people with anti-drug knowledge and a sense of social responsibility.
Hon noted that the second edition aims to “identify more capable and passionate young people to take part in anti-drug work,” encouraging them to use their influence to help build “a healthy, drug-free society.”
During the ceremony, the bureau presented commendations to the outstanding ambassadors from the first edition in recognition of their contributions to anti-drug promotion efforts.
Meanwhile, two national youth representatives who attended this year’s United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) Youth Forum – Ren Sirui and Yan Jinye – were invited to Macau to talk about their experiences participating in the international meetings, aiming to promote exchanges between young people from the Chinese mainland and Macau.
According to a statement provided by the bureau yesterday, the recruitment for the second edition opened yesterday and runs until March 31 next year. Eligible applicants must be local residents aged 14 to 23 who possess reading, writing, listening and speaking abilities in English and Putonghua, love the country and Macau, and support national and local anti-drug initiatives, the statement said
The statement added that selected participants will take part in capacity-building sessions, experiential learning, practical training, and exchange activities.
Outstanding performers may be invited to join international exchange programmes, represent China in the Youth Forum selection for UNODC, or participate in national youth anti-drug knowledge competitions. Registration details and programme regulations are available at https://www.antidrugteens.com and the anti-drugs website at https://www.antidrugs.gov.mo.
*Lin Zexu (1785-1850) was a prominent Chinese scholar-official of the Qing Dynasty, best remembered as a national hero for his resolute stance against the opium trade. He is officially commemorated as a patriot and an early anti-drug pioneer. – DeepSeek
Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) President Wilson Hon Wai (centre), flanked by other participants, poses during the launch of the second edition of the “International Training Programme for Macao Anti-Drug Youth Ambassadors” at Lin Zexu Memorial Museum (澳門林則徐紀念館) yesterday. – Photo: Khalel Vallo
