Muscat – The second edition of the Oman Childhood Conference and Exhibition opened on Tuesday under the theme ‘Prospects for Rehabilitation and Empowerment of People with Disabilities in the Era of Emerging Technologies’. Organised by Children First Association, the three-day event at Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre aims to harness modern technologies to empower children […]

Muscat – The second edition of the Oman Childhood Conference and Exhibition opened on Tuesday under the theme ‘Prospects for Rehabilitation and Empowerment of People with Disabilities in the Era of Emerging Technologies’.

Organised by Children First Association, the three-day event at Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre aims to harness modern technologies to empower children with disabilities and promote their integration into society.

The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of H H Sayyid Harib bin Thuwaini al Said, Assistant Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers for Conferences.

In her opening remarks, H H Dr Mona bint Fahd al Said, Chairperson of Children First Association, said the conference reflects a noble humanitarian goal that concerns every society – supporting children – who are the foundation of the future.

She said the conference builds on the success of the first edition, which focused on gifted children in Oman as a national treasure and investment in the future. “This edition opens a new window towards supporting another important group – children with disabilities – by exploring the opportunities that modern technologies offer for rehabilitation, integration and independence,” she said.

H H Mona expressed hope that the conference would serve as a platform for sharing experiences and innovative practices in rehabilitation and empowerment, contributing to practical recommendations that enhance national efforts in this field. She added that the conference reflects Oman’s commitment to integrating children with disabilities into education, sports and social activities, in line with the country’s inclusive development vision.

Delivering the keynote address, Gopal Mitra, Global Lead on Disability and Development at Unicef, said every child, regardless of ability, has the right to be seen, heard and empowered.

He noted that one in ten children globally lives with some form of disability – about 240mn worldwide, including 21mn in the Middle East and North Africa. Empowering them, he said, is a shared responsibility that requires collaboration between governments, communities and individuals.

Mitra added that countries such as Finland, Canada and Japan have shown that inclusion and excellence can go hand in hand. He praised Oman’s efforts in digital accessibility and smart city development, describing these as a regional model for inclusive growth.

The conference will discuss policies supporting family integration, diagnosis and treatment, and the intersection of talent and disability. It will also highlight the role of sports and arts in empowerment and the use of technology to enhance family and community participation in developing life skills for children with disabilities.

A total of 33 working papers and 11 training workshops will be presented by experts from Oman and abroad, focusing on digital solutions in education, care and rehabilitation.

The accompanying exhibition showcases assistive technologies and products supporting children with disabilities.