Provincial Children's Forum 2016 listens to children

To consolidate the enforcement of children's rights and raising the awareness of all-level government, community, families and children themselves, provincial Department of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs in collaboration with provincial Youth Union hosted Provincial Children's Forum 2016.

In the open atmosphere of the forum, children freely expressed their thoughts of “For a safe life, preventing child accident and injury”, the forum created an opportunity for them to discuss issues of children's rights under three main themes: Prevention of child accident and injury at home, in schools and in the community. The message was demonstrated through various creative and friendly forms of skits, presentations with illustrations…

Provincial Public Security’s representative exchanged, answered thoughts and aspirations of children

At the forum, little participants asked questions and gave messages to express their thoughts, had direct dialogue with leaders of provincial agencies, unions about children issues, such as: domestic violence, measures to prevent children abuse; playground for children; food poisoning; taking of children in difficult circumstances; skills of drowning prevention, injury prevention, HIV/AIDS prevention…

The forum was to equip children with social skills, raise children’s awareness of their responsibilities for themselves and towards family and society, create a change in perception, actions at all levels and sectors, the whole society of children’s rights, build up a safe, friendly, equal and healthy living environment for children.

Doan Thi Tuyet Nhi, pupil of Tan My secondary school (North Tan Uyen) said: "Child injuries, especially drowning, still happen so much. I want to be equipped with swimming skills to prevent drowning. But many families cannot afford a swimming course for their children. I hope that there would be more free swimming courses for us”. Many other youngsters also suggested practical ideas to local agencies, unions to prevent this accident, and hoped to have swimming as a curricular subject at schools.

It can be said, that was a forum entirely for children. “Please speak by children’s voice, and please contribute with children’s thoughts. Adults should listen to, understand, and always be with children” was the message of this forum to future owners of the country.

Speaking at the forum, Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Hang, Deputy Director of Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, encouraged children to speak up their thoughts so that local authorities and unions could understand their concerns; then together we build up a safe, friendly and healthy environment for children. In addition, she asked agencies, unions to study, solve children’s concerns; noted their feelings and aspirations to take specific actions, more practical programs to take care and protect children in the most effective way, help children to live in a healthy environment, to have a comprehensive development.

Reported by Huynh Thuy – Translated by Ngoc Huynh