To celebrate World Consumer Rights Day on 15th March, Consumer Council will hold a Chinese news writing competition and a crossword puzzle to arouse the public's interest and participation in social affairs and enhance their awareness of consumer rights. Consumers International calls on its members around the globe to organize annual activities to celebrate World Consumer Rights Day, aiming at drawing the attention of governments and the public in getting to know more about consumer rights. Macao Consumer Council has been promoting consumer rights and legal knowledge through various kinds of activities. This year, the Council will hold a Chinese news writing competition and a crossword puzzle for the public, it also plans to continue its work in promoting consumer rights and education through community activities. The mentioned Chinese news writing competition is aimed at middle school students and the Council hopes to draw the attention of teenagers to participate more in social affairs, as well as to enhance their knowledge in consumer rights. Three winners will be awarded with cash prizes of $6,000, $4,000, and $3,000 respectively, 20 extra awards of $200 will also be given to entrants with outstanding works. The Council indicates that professors and representatives from local educational institutes and media have been invited to be judges of the said competition. Entrants are expected to submit works that reflect their knowledge in areas such as current affairs and local laws regarding consumer rights. Entrants are welcome to submit their work by mail or in person to the Council before 30th September of this year. For the Chinese crossword puzzle, consumers can submit the completed puzzle online at the Council's website or by mail. The puzzle will start on 15th March and last for a month. 50 winners will be drawn and awarded with cash prize of $200 each. Interested parties can visit the Council website (www.consumer.gov.mo) for details of both contests and download the relevant forms. Further, under the agreement signed by the Council and other consumers organizations in the pan-Pearl River Delta area to co-operate, the Council will set up a 'Pan-Pearl River Delta Consumer Rights News Platform' to provide information to consumers. The first stage of this platform will be launched by having information provided by 9 consumers organizations from mainland China, and Macao Consumer Council will be responsible for consolidating and publishing the news, which include consumer alerts, testing information, legal information and others on clothing and apparel, food and beverages, and other daily living products and services. The platform will be launched at the end of March, and the Council hopes to enrich the contents of the platform in the future.
