The 7th National Children's Forum: Children are not only the future but also the present

(People's Life) - "Children are not only the future but also the present". "Children's work is an extremely great and important cause, which must be carried out regularly, continuously, persistently, long-term and from specific actions" - Those were the shares of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha at the official session of the 7th National Children's Forum, 2023, taking place in Hanoi, on the morning of August 8.

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The 7th National Children's Forum in 2023 was organized by the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Training, the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Education, and the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union with the theme "Children participate in building a safe, friendly, and healthy living environment for children".

Attending the program were Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung; First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Bui Quang Huy and a number of leaders of ministries, departments, branches, central and local agencies.

Children's voices are increasingly valued by all levels and sectors.

Speaking at the official session of the Forum, Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung said: Over the years, the leaders of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs have always paid attention to the work of building and perfecting institutions to ensure better implementation of children's rights in Vietnam, creating a safe living environment, and promoting children's right to participate.

Minister Dao Ngoc Dung speaks at the 7th National Children's Forum.

Especially in recent years, the bright spots for children in all areas have been getting better and better. Learning, playing, development, Youth Union activities, children's activities... for children have always been of interest. Children's voices are increasingly valued by all levels and sectors. The Party, the State and the Government as well as the People's Committees of localities have issued many policies and mechanisms related to children's development.

Dark spots, problems, and pressing issues among children are decreasing. In particular, children in especially difficult circumstances have decreased significantly, previously about 10%, now only 6.8%. The rate of children dying from drowning, traffic accidents, and injuries is decreasing. Prevention and control of child abuse and violence is getting better and better with the participation of all levels, sectors, and the children themselves. The voices of the children, their discoveries through Hotline 111, Youth Union, Young Pioneer organizations, People's Committees of communes... are being implemented better and better.

Present at the meeting and exchange session of the Forum today, children were proactive in raising issues, opinions, aspirations, contributing solutions and initiatives on issues related to children with the spirit of children participating in building a safe, friendly and healthy living environment for children.

Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung requested that delegates, leaders and representatives of ministries, branches, agencies and organizations discuss, consider and respond to children's opinions and proposals; research to incorporate children's opinions and proposals into the plans and work programs of ministries, branches and organizations and prioritize the implementation of children's rights according to the provisions of the law on children.

“With the responsibility assigned by the Government, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs will continue to collect opinions, messages and recommendations from children at the National Children's Forum and the Local Children's Forum to review and resolve with relevant ministries, branches and organizations. The legitimate opinions and aspirations of children at this Forum will be considered, absorbed and updated in the process of developing legal documents, planning, plans, programs, projects and proposals related to children,” Minister Dao Ngoc Dung emphasized.

Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung also asked the children participating in this Forum to fulfill their representative roles and responsibilities well; exercise children's rights and duties well, share the results and content of the Forum with friends in the locality; have a cultured and pure lifestyle, train their intelligence and courage to integrate internationally.

Children's work must be carried out regularly, continuously, persistently and long-term.

Listening to children's questions and sharing at the Forum, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha said that building a safe, friendly and healthy living environment is not only meaningful for children but also for the sustainable development of the country.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha speaks at the 7th National Children's Forum.

On behalf of the Party and State leaders, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha commended the students for their achievements in studying and training, including those who have overcome circumstances and difficulties to become exemplary role models, spreading the message to their friends and the community.

“With the spirit of “Young people do small things, according to their strength”, today’s generation of children has brought glory to the country with very meaningful achievements in studying, performing arts, and competing in sports; contributing to the development of the country with simple acts such as loving, sharing, helping friends, people in difficult circumstances, joining hands to protect the environment and nature. Many children have become brave citizens, selflessly saving victims, contributing to spreading good humanistic values in society”, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha expressed his joy.

The Deputy Prime Minister also hopes that the young generation will create miracles to bring Vietnam to glory and stand shoulder to shoulder with the world powers as beloved Uncle Ho once wished.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha also stated: In any circumstances, the Party, State, family and society always give the best to children by realizing major policies on education, health care, healthcare, and creating a safe school environment, so that "children are not only the future but also the present".

The Deputy Prime Minister hopes that each child attending the Forum, each typical flower of the forest of thousands of good deeds today, will be an ambassador to spread love to their peers so that violence has no place in the school environment. Building a safe cyberspace is not only necessary for children today but also useful for future generations. Establishing a core children's club to promptly detect and support each other among students...

Listening to children with heart and understanding, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha emphasized: Children's work is an extremely great and important cause that must be carried out regularly, continuously, persistently, and long-term, starting from specific actions.

The Deputy Prime Minister requested ministries, sectors, organizations, and authorities at all levels to listen to, consider, and respond to the opinions and appropriate wishes of children. At the same time, the Deputy Prime Minister called on each family, all levels, sectors, and the entire society, with responsibility and love, to continue to take more practical actions to better care for children, especially those in difficult circumstances, in remote, isolated, border, and island areas. "How can all children be cared for, develop comprehensively, and live in love, in a safe and healthy living environment?", the Deputy Prime Minister shared.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha hopes that after this Forum, when returning to their localities, children will continue to have initiatives and appropriate approaches to work with local leaders, schools, etc. to reduce risks, accidents and violence among children...

Children attending the 7th National Children's Forum in 2023.

At the Forum, child delegates expressed their opinions and sent to the leaders of the Party, State, relevant ministries and branches questions about issues of concern to children such as: How to reduce child marriage among ethnic minority children? What solutions are effective in protecting children in the online environment? Measures to minimize injuries and accidents? Psychological support for children when they are victims of violence and abuse...
The children's opinions and recommendations were answered and clarified by representatives of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Training, the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, the Ministry of Health, the Vietnam Women's Union, the Vietnam Association for the Protection of Children's Rights, etc.
Also at the Forum, child delegates delivered the message of the 7th National Children's Forum in 2023 to the leaders.