Children’s rights given a hearing

Participants in a workshop held in Hanoi on December 7 stressed the necessity of setting up children’s voice councils at localities and organising forums and exchanges between local authorities and children to listen to their opinions and proposals.

Regarding a draft document on the participation rights of children, part of the National Action Plan for Children for the 2010-2020 period, they proposed the creation of joint programmes with the participation of relevant ministries and agencies to synchronously implement children’s rights. 

They also suggested the importance of strengthening skills training for parents, teachers and leaders, for children themselves on how to improve self-protection skills, and for social workers on their responsibilities to provide security for children.

Additionally, the Ministry of Education and Training should lessen learning programmes and encourage more children to get involve in social activities.

Participants talked about shortcomings in the implementation of children’s rights, including the limited nature of children’s participation in social activities and the fact that their voices may not have been highly valued in their families. Also, most localities lack entertainment and recreation places for children.

As a result, delegates suggested social organisations work closely with localities to support child-related programmes.