Plan International Child Safeguarding Schools Award Programme Presentation Ceremony Ended with a Resounding Success: LegCo Member Tik Chi-yuen, School Representatives, and Celebrity Parents Gathered to Share Experiences and Committed to Building a Protection Net for Children

From 12 to 14 September, Plan International Hong Kong, with the generous support of the Wu Jieh Yee Charitable Foundation, successfully hosted the Child Safeguarding Schools Award Programme Presentation Ceremony and Showcase at The Wai in Tai Wai. This landmark event brought together Ms June Leung, Board Chair; Dr Sandra Tsang, Board Member; and Dr Kanie Siu, Chief Executive Officer of Plan International Hong Kong, together with industry experts including Dr Tik Chi-yuen, Legislative Council Member; Ms Kong Siu Wai Adelina, Early Childhood Education Services Director, New Territories Women & Juveniles Welfare Association; Ms Sharon Yeung, General Secretary, The Tsung Tsin Mission of Hong Kong Social Service; and principals and management representatives from nearly 40 local kindergartens, to celebrate the achievements in advancing child safeguarding in Hong Kong. Volunteer Event Ambassadors Tracy Chu, “Super Daddy” Kay Ho, and Lisa Cheng, as well as over 3,000 members of the public, also participated in this significant milestone for child safeguarding in Hong Kong’s early childhood education sector, marking a crucial step towards preventing child abuse.

Joining Hands with Nearly 50 Kindergartens to Build a Safeguarding Net for Children

In response to the alarming rise in child abuse cases in Hong Kong, Plan International Hong Kong has advocated the concept of “Child Safeguarding”. In 2024, with the support of the Wu Jieh Yee Charitable Foundation, we launched our inaugural Child Safeguarding Schools Award Programme. Collaborating with nearly 50 kindergartens, the programme provided professional training and tailored consultancy to establish comprehensive “Child Safeguarding Policy”, enhance staff training, and improve parent-school communication. Over the past year, more than 200 workshops were conducted, reaching over 5,000 children, parents, and educators. These sessions significantly raised awareness of child protection, equipping children to recognise and reject inappropriate behaviors, thereby embedding effective preventive measures.

A New Milestone in Child Safeguarding: Voices from LegCo Member, School Representatives, and Celebrity Parents

The Award Presentation Ceremony and Showcase, held from 12 to 14 September at the L2 Atrium, The Wai, celebrated the achievements of participating schools over the past year while promoting public awareness of child safeguarding. Nearly 50 kindergartens were recognised as either “Child Safeguarding Achievers” or “Child Safeguarding Movers”. During the event, Dr Sandra Tsang, Dr Tik Chi-yuen, Ms Kong Siu Wai Adelina, and Ms Sharon Yeung participated in a panel discussion, sharing valuable insights into the challenges and solutions for advancing child safeguarding in early childhood education. Volunteer Activity Ambassadors Tracy Chu, “Super Daddy” Kay Ho, and Lisa Cheng engaged the audience with heartfelt reflections on their support for child safeguarding and their experiences as parents, forging a meaningful connection with attendees.

In her address, Ms June Leung expressed heartfelt gratitude to all participating kindergartens for their enthusiastic commitment and extended special thanks to the Wu Jieh Yee Charitable Foundation for its generous support. She voiced her aspiration that the Child Safeguarding Schools Programme would inspire greater community awareness of child welfare and drive ongoing improvements.

Dr Kanie Siu highlighted that an initial review of participating kindergartens revealed completion rates for risk assessments, parent and child education, home-school communication, and policy reviews were below 50%, exposing critical gaps in the existing mechanism. Through targeted support, a reassessment in June this year showed these rates had soared to nearly 90%, reflecting significant progress.

During the panel discussion led by our Board Member Dr Sandra Tsang, Dr Tik Chi-yuen (first from left) emphasised that the Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance aims to enhance protection mechanisms, not merely impose penalties. Ms Sharon Yeung (second from left) and Ms Kong Siu Wai Adelina (second from right) shared valuable insights from their involvement in the programme.

Voluntary Event Ambassadors Tracy Chu, “Super Daddy” Kay Ho, and Lisa Cheng, as celebrity parents, urged the public to prioritise Child Safeguarding.

Interactive Learning Experiences to Raise Child Safeguarding Awareness

Following the ceremony, a public showcase from the afternoon of 12 September to 14 September, featured the achievements of the awarded kindergartens. The event also incorporated a series of engaging and educational activities designed to raise awareness of Child Safeguarding in a welcoming environment, such as increasing understanding of child abuse prevention and equipping attendees with knowledge on how to respond effectively.

A standout attraction, the Picture Book Roleplay, drew over 3,000 visitors. Participants took on the role of investigators, piecing together a simulated child abuse case to learn the correct steps for identifying and addressing such incidents. This immersive experience provided a memorable and impactful way to understand child safeguarding.

After the ceremony, Ambassadors Tracy Chu, Kay Ho, and Lisa Cheng joined a guided tour of the showcase, participating in the Picture Book Roleplay.

The showcase highlighted efforts of “Child Safeguarding Achievers”, celebrating the progress of Hong Kong’s early childhood education sector in child safeguarding.

The Picture Book Roleplay garnered enthusiastic public engagement, with Plan International’s “Child Safeguarding” picture book series captivating parents and children alike.

Interactive performances educated parents and children on child safeguarding, raising awareness of abuse prevention. Children’s performances filled the venue with music and joy, creating a vibrant and uplifting atmosphere.

The participation of nearly 50 kindergartens, recognised as “Child Safeguarding Achievers” or “Child Safeguarding Movers”, underscores the programme’s success. We extend our sincere thanks to all participating schools for their dedication. For a complete list of recognised schools, please visit the Child Safeguarding Net.

Looking ahead, we invite more schools and community members to join our mission to build a ‘Child Safeguarding City’, ensuring every child can grow up in a safe and joyful environment.