Advocating the Rights of Children (ARC) hosted the first ever HEAL Festival, promoting Healthy Eating and Active Lifestyles for children. More than 650 children participated at the two day event, which took place on 27th and 28th of May at Iskandhar School. The following five messages of the HEAL campaign were conveyed to children through fun and educational games.

- Eat a rainbow everyday - Colour in your day with plenty of fruits and vegetables
- Re-think your drink - Choose water first to quench your thirst, instead of sugary juices, fizzy/energy drinks, tea/coffee
- Dunk the junk- Eat less processed foods
- Snack smart - Choose healthy snack options
- Unplug and play - Turn off the screens and be physically active

ARC wishes to thank all the individuals, companies and agencies who helped make this event a success, particularly to Seagull Foods, the main sponsor of the HEAL Festival, and all the associate sponsors - Coco Palm Resorts, Haveeru Daily, Club Aeolus Water Sports, Café’ Alfresco, Salsa Royal Restaurant, Allied Insurance Company. ARC also wishes to thank the various sports and other associations who partnered with ARC in making this event a reality.

The HEAL festival is a major component of the HEAL Campaign launched in April this year, promoting Healthy Eating and Active Lifestyles for Children. ARC has also conducted a HEAL program for preschools during April year, where nutritionists from New Zealand provided information sessions to parents.