Oman Childhood Conference & Expo to kick off in October
Muscat: The second edition of Oman Childhood Conference & Expo will kick off on 14 October, organised by the 'Children First Association* under the theme: 'Horizons of Rehabilitation and Empowerment for People with Disabilities in the Era of Emerging Technologies."
This event aligns with ongoing efforts to support and empower children in the Sultanate of Oman, particularly those with disabilities, in line with the pillars of Oman Vision 2040, and will run for three days.
HH Dr. Mona bint Fahd Al Said, Chairperson of the Children First Association, stated during a press conference held by the association today that this conference builds on the success of its first edition, which focused on gifted children in Oman, emphasising the importance of discovering and nurturing them as a national wealth and strategic investment for the future.
She added: 'This year, we open a new window to support a group dear to us all—children with disabilities—exploring empowerment opportunities through modern technologies that enable rehabilitation, inclusion, and independence."
She noted that the first edition of the Oman Childhood Conference & Expo was a major success, serving as a platform for engagement among stakeholders in child welfare and relevant segments of society. It featured participation from over 50 exhibitors from within Oman and abroad, including government and private sector institutions.
On his turn, Khalid Saif Al Matrushi, a member of the Children First Association, highlighted the objectives of the second edition, which focuses on challenges facing childhood and opens broad horizons for rehabilitation and empowerment using cutting-edge technologies. This comes amid growing institutional and societal commitment to building an inclusive environment that meets the needs of all children and provides them with equal opportunities for growth, development, and contribution to the nation's progress.
He stated that the conference aims to raise societal awareness about the rights of children with disabilities, present scientific and practical insights into their integration into society, examine key challenges they face, and highlight the efforts of government and private institutions, as well as higher education entities, in this field.
He added that the conference includes training workshops for children, their families, and professionals in education, health, and social services, alongside showcasing the latest assistive technologies for empowering children with disabilities.
Al Matrushi pointed out that the conference will be accompanied by a comprehensive exhibition—the first of its kind in Oman—bringing together under one roof all institutions, companies, and centers concerned with childhood affairs, including medical and educational centers, rehabilitation institutions, educational and psychological consultancies, as well as entertainment activities and theatrical performances for children.
He pointed out that the conference and exhibition will see participation from several government and international entities, including the Ministry of Social Development, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, Sultan Qaboos University, the Omani Human Rights Commission, UNICEF, alongside numerous civil society associations, rehabilitation centers, and NGOs.
The event targets a broad segment of society, including children and their families, school and kindergarten students, higher education institutions, companies specialising in childhood products, training and entertainment centers, as well as environmental and tech institutions, banks, e-commerce platforms, and startup entrepreneurs.
He affirmed the Children First Association's commitment to its pioneering role in supporting childhood in Oman, continuously working to build a society more aware of children's rights and better equipped to empower them and help them reach their full potential.
The Oman Childhood Conference & Expo serves as a leading national and international platform that enhances the quality of life for children with disabilities by focusing on challenges, exploring opportunities, and proposing innovative solutions.
Through this conference, the Children First Association seeks to empower children with disabilities and their caregivers by strengthening partnerships, exchanging expertise, and showcasing best practices and supportive technologies—contributing to social justice and comprehensive development.
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