Over 300 child delegates have recently become standing members of 18 Children's Councils in the  ward and communal levels. With these positions, they have a chance to raise their voices in terms of social, health, education, and environmental issues to safeguard their rights.

Delegates of the Children's Councils at ward and communal levels attending a training course on management skills, communication skills, and information handling skills. Photo: HUYNH LE.

Raising voices against social issues

Becoming the President of Cam Le District’s Hoa Xuan Ward Children's Council for the 2023-2024 tenure is a great honor for Nguyen Pham Huong Giang, a ninth grader of Nguyen Thien Thuat Junior High School. Giang sees this as an opportunity for her and her friends to raise their voices against social issues, such as child abuse, as well as raise their voices to secure safe online environment for children, as well as caring for children 's emotional and mental health.

The Hoa Xuan Ward Children’s Council focuses on protecting the legitimate rights and interests of its members, as well as engaging them in raising their voices about national government-approved issues. Giang remarked that the Hoa Xuan Ward Children’s Council acts as a bridge to connect local children with local authorities and relevant agencies in order to allow them to voice their opinions, as well as express their desires in line with local realities.

Ngo Tran Bao An, an eighth grader of Nguyen Thien Thuat Junior High School, who is a permanent member of the Hoa Xuan Ward Children’s Council, highlighted the critical need for active engagement of schools and their students along with their families to protect their personal information.

An said that the Children's Council will organize training courses on social issues for children in a bid to provide them with self-defense skills.

Nguyen Hong Huyen Tran, the President of the Hoa Nhon Commune Children's Council said that there are over 3,000 children aged 9-14 across the commune. Tran said that members of the Council are committed to working with the communal authorities to address child-related issues, including child labour, and assistance for students in difficult circumstances.

Opportunities for Personal Development

Till date, Da Nang has established 18 Children's Councils with over 300 child delegates at the ward and communal levels.

Nguyen Thi Anh Thao, the Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Youth Union remarked that members of these councils serve as representatives for children aged 9-14 in the city, and they attend regularly dialogues with People's Councils at all levels to address child-related issues. Remarkably, all members of children’s council have already got trained and developed consulting and critiquing skills in order to enable them to raise their voices about social issues of personal concern for children.

In its efforts to help members of Children's Councils improve their organizational and leadership skills, the Municipal Youth Union has worked with UNICEF Vietnam to open a training course for 50 child delegates.

Looking ahead to the 2023-2027 period, Da Nang aims to enhance children’s participation in raising their voices to secure their rights, as well as expand Children's Council model across the city.

Reporting by HUYNH LE - Translating by DUY BINH