From a gathering to a global movement -The journey of the Inclusion Conference & Festival

What began in 2007 as a charitable golf tournament in Macau has evolved into an internationally renowned and comprehensive celebration of diversity: the Inclusion Conference & Festival.

Originally organised by Macau Business Events, the first golf event aimed to bring communities together through sport, with a particular focus on supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities.

In 2012, the momentum grew with the creation of the Macau Golf Masters, offering athletes with intellectual disabilities a professional platform to showcase their talents on the course. Yet, it soon became clear that the need for connection and advocacy extended beyond the realm of sport. There was a growing desire to build something deeper—a foundation for education, empowerment, and inclusive progress.

This vision materialised in 2015 with the launch of the first Inclusion Conference in Macau. From the outset, the event adopted a two-day format each year, fostering an environment that balanced international thought leadership with meaningful local community engagement.

Since its debut, collaborative artworks created during the event have become a celebrated tradition at the annual Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix, exemplifying how inclusive art can intersect with global motorsport.

A second day, sponsored and co-organised by Melco Resorts & Entertainment, focused on recreational and developmental workshops. Dedicated to more hands-on and experiential learning, these editions were regularly hosted at key educational institutions in Macau—beginning with the Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) (now the Macao University of Tourism, UTM) in 2015, followed by the International School of Macao (TIS) in 2016, the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) in 2017, and ongoing partnerships, especially with Macau Anglican College (MAC) in 2018, 2019, and 2024.

Through these collaborations, the conference embedded itself in Macau’s educational and social fabric, drawing particular strength from MAC’s approach to inclusive education. At MAC, local students, individuals with autism, and neurodiverse young people engage side by side with international delegates in a range of activities—from inclusive sports tournaments to workshops on electronic communication, music, and theatre.

Over time, the Inclusion Conference expanded into a Festival of Inclusion, providing a platform where families, educators, researchers, corporate leaders, and individuals with disabilities could meet, learn, create, and compete together. Practical development programmes, research exchanges, and parent discussion circles became essential pillars of the event—offering not just knowledge-sharing, but also emotional and practical support for families navigating the realities of intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Across both days, dedicated spaces are created for parents from Macau and neighbouring regions to connect, share experiences, and build supportive networks that extend well beyond the event itself.

In 2025, the Inclusion Conference & Festival will again be supported by Melco Resorts & Entertainment, with Day One held on Monday, 23 June, at Macau Anglican College, and Day Two hosted at MGM Cotai—with both organisations serving as title sponsors of their respective conference days.

2025 keynote speakers

The 2025 edition of the Inclusion Conference & Festival will feature a distinguished lineup of keynote speakers from across the globe, each contributing unique insights into inclusion, neurodiversity, and holistic care.

Bill Wen Zeng (Macau) will speak on “Developing Macao Dementia-Friendly Community: Challenges and Prospects”. Dr Zeng is Vice-President of the Dr Sun Yat-sen Medical Association and the Macau Alumni Association of Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences. With extensive academic and clinical experience across the Asia-Pacific region, he brings a valuable perspective on elder care and community inclusion.

Larry Luo (People’s Republic of China) will present on “Rehabilitation Mechanism Under the Guidance of the Fascia Theory of Autism”. A leading researcher in autism rehabilitation, Dr Luo introduces a pioneering approach to fascia therapy, offering a novel non-pharmaceutical rehabilitation pathway.

Weihong Kuang (People’s Republic of China) will address “Sleeping Disorders”. With over 30 years of clinical experience, Dr Kuang is recognised as one of China’s foremost experts in sleep medicine and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Jennifer Erin Camulli (Dubai) will share her insights on “The Sensory Smart School: Sensible Design for All Learners”. A trailblazer in sensory design and inclusive education, Dr Camulli will explore innovative strategies to make educational spaces more accessible and nurturing for all learners.

Kok Hwee Chia (Singapore) will present “A Comprehensive Profile of an Individual with Autism: A Multi-Level Perspective”. With extensive experience in educational therapy, Dr Chia offers a nuanced understanding of autism, providing critical tools for educators and support professionals.

Derrick Meng Kiat Tan (Singapore) will discuss “Empowering Individuals with ASD and Intellectual Disabilities: Enhancing Life Skills Through Executive Function, Self-Regulation, and Self-Inhibition”. Drawing on expertise in neuroscience, education, and finance, Mr Tan offers an interdisciplinary approach to empowerment and life skills development.

Angus Yuk Kit Lam (Hong Kong) will tackle the important topic of “Sexuality and Intellectual Disabilities”. Dr Lam’s groundbreaking research opens much-needed dialogue around sexuality, mental health, and dignity for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Carmen Li (Hong Kong) will speak on “Empowering Parents with Information on the Autism Journey”. A dedicated advocate, Carmen Li will provide practical resources to help families navigate the autism journey with confidence and clarity.

In addition to keynote presentations, the 2025 festival will feature a variety of international workshop leaders and specialists in art, music, and sports, ensuring the event’s spirit of collaboration, creativity, and inclusion continues to thrive.

The festival is supported by long-standing title sponsors and partners, including Galaxy Entertainment Group, Lord Stow’s Bakery, Coca-Cola, Artyzen Grand Lapa and Grand Coloane Resort, Aristocrat, Light & Wonder, and IGT Asia, along with numerous local SMEs and individual contributors.

At the heart of this initiative stands the Charity Association of Macau Business Readers, the visionary organiser of the Inclusion Conference & Festival. Their mission is not about forcing cubes into round holes, but rather about welcoming the world into their “living room”—Macau. Their philosophy is both simple and profound: rather than trying to change the entire world, they focus on making a meaningful impact by fostering diversity, encouraging Macau to evolve into a truly inclusive society, and setting a benchmark for the wider Greater Bay Area.

The opening day of each conference has traditionally been hosted and sponsored by MGM Macau and/or MGM Cotai. This day features keynote speeches by international experts, conducted in English to welcome a global audience. A highlight of these sessions has been the internationally acclaimed workshop “Creating Something Out of Nothing”—a sustainable, creative initiative that brings together local and international artists, educators, and neurodiverse youth to co-create striking designs for motorcycles, helmets, and racing leathers.