A delegation led by Ms. Rana Flowers, Chief Representative of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Viet Nam on Saturday paid a visit and entered a working session with the Da Nang People's Committee on the implementation of the UNICEF- initiated Child-friendly Cities project for the 2022 – 2026 period.

Da Nang People's Committee Vice Chairwoman Ngo Thi Kim Yen (5th from the right) warrmly receives the delegation of UNICEF in Viet Nam, On Saturday. Photo: X.D

During her reception for the UNICEF guests, Da Nang People's Committee Vice Chairman Ngo Thi Kim Yen briefed them on some remarkable achievements Da Nang has gained over recent years in the aspects of health, education, culture and social welfare.

In particular, the city’s landmarks programmes featured the goal of no students dropping out of school because of difficult family circumstances and no children suffering from being violently abused at school, thereby, helping Da Nang head towards becoming a peaceful, civilised and modern city. This is, of course, the premise towards building a friendly, safe and suitable city for children.

“We hope that, with our experience in implementing projects with the participation of all State agencies and organisations, Da Nang will build a child-friendly city. The city will also implement governance policies in line with the requirements and conditions set by UNICEF, aiming to be able to sign a memorandum of understanding with UNICEF in December, 2022 to cooperate in the Child-friendly Cities project in the 2022 - 2026 period”, emphasised Vice Chairman Yen.

Ms. Flowers thanked the city for the warm welcome and kind support, emphasising that Da Nang is a locality that pays great attention to children.

At the same time, she believes that Da Nang will be a symbol and bright example for other Vietnamese cities to follow in terms of child protection actions. UNICEF highly appreciates the city's commitment to creating spaces and opportunities for children to express their opinions and suggestions.

In addition, UNICEF emphasizes the importance of applying innovative technologies to ensure children possessing skills they will need in the future.

“I look forward to coming back to Da Nang soon so that we can announce the Child-friendly Cities project for the 2022 - 2026 period. At the same time, we hope the city will urgently implement policy-related issues so that the aforementioned cooperation agreement can be signed in a smooth manner. Once again, I believe that Da Nang will be the leading city in child protection,” said Ms. Flowers.

According to the website of UNICEF in Viet Nam, to promote and protect better quality lives for vulnerable children, UNICEF is partnering with the local authorities to create Child Friendly Cities so the voices, needs, priorities and rights of children are an integral part of public policies, programmes and decisions. This will be achieved through providing social services to marginalized children, child-focused urban planning and budgeting, strengthening partnerships with urban communities and evidence of children in urban areas to inform policy.

This initiative will expand partnerships across civil society, the private sector and international organizations to improve the situation of poor children and those at risk of exploitation and abuse.

Reporting by XUAN DUNG - Translating by A.THU