Listen to children, talk to children

- Protecting, caring for and educating children and adolescents is a key task that the Youth Union and Young Pioneers are interested in implementing from the central to the grassroots levels. In particular, promoting the implementation of the task of representing the voices and aspirations of children, promoting the rights of children to participate in their own issues.

In August 2020, the Provincial Council of the Young Pioneers advised the Standing Committee of the Provincial Youth Union to pilot the establishment of a provincial-level children's counseling and support club. Over the past 4 years, accompanying the Young Pioneers movement, the club's activities have been promoted, participating in solving issues related to children in the province, acting as counselors to support children anytime, anywhere. In 2023, with the proposal of the club, the "Listening to children speak" Forum was held for the first time in Tinh Bien town, attracting 150 children to participate.

“Up to now, the forum has been organized 6 times, with the participation of nearly 1,800 children from 6 districts, towns and cities. In early April 2025, the forum was hosted by the City Youth Union and the Chau Doc City Young Pioneer Council. During the survey to collect children's opinions, we were pleased that 179 children participated, sending nearly 500 questions to the advisory board, revolving around many issues of interest to them. That shows that the city's children are truly promoting their role and right to participate according to the Law on Children. At the forum, we invited representatives of provincial and city departments, branches and sectors to listen, share and provide more information for the children" - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union, Chairman of the An Giang Provincial Young Pioneer Council Ho Thi Hong Phuong informed.

Student Vo Cam Loan (Nguyen Dinh Chieu Secondary School) is concerned about the increasing number of school violence cases: “I hope that schools and authorities will take stronger measures to prevent this problem, such as: Organizing propaganda and providing psychological support for victims; having strict punishments for those who commit violent acts. I also hope that there will be more confidential channels for students to report violence without fear of retaliation”. Student Co Quoc Nam (Thu Khoa Huan Secondary School) expressed: “I see that child abuse is a major concern. Some children are exploited and abused but do not dare to speak out due to fear. I propose to strengthen sex education in schools; build a confidential support channel so that children can report when in danger”. Student Nguyen Lam Thien Di (Nguyen Trai Secondary School) asked: “Children have access to social networks very early, threatening their safety, because many videos are very dangerous, such as promoting personal appearance, self-harm syndrome, eating disorders... So what is the best way for children to protect themselves from social networks?”...

Responding to the concerns of the children, Ms. Nguyen Thien Thanh (Head of the Youth and School Children's Committee of the Provincial Youth Union, Vice Chairman of the Provincial Youth Union Council) advised that when being abused, in addition to seeking out relatives, teachers, neighbors... children can contact the National Child Protection Hotline 111 to report, share, and ask for help. Regarding the issue of "parents not understanding their children", she analyzed from many perspectives, hoping that children would care more about their parents, increase communication to understand their parents and give their parents the opportunity to understand them. Do not rely on the love of your parents to become "gods" in the family, demanding that adults do everything you ask... Senior Lieutenant Mai Nhut Tan (specialist of the Youth Committee of the Provincial Police) advised the children to learn martial arts for self-defense, wherever they go, they need to keep in touch with their relatives to avoid being lured and committed by bad guys; provide skills to use social networks effectively and safely. Mr. Dang Huy Chau (Head of Population and Children Division, Department of Health) communicated about child abuse prevention, recent abuse cases in the province and city; reminded children to grasp 25 groups of children's rights...

The forum "Listening to children speak" aims to promptly grasp the thoughts, aspirations and ideas of children, and orient appropriate solutions so that they can study, play and live in a safe environment and develop comprehensively. Opinions on important issues will be received, synthesized and recommended to the Provincial People's Council. "Hopefully, after the forum, children will have more confidence and courage and become active propagandists, continuing to spread correct knowledge about the law, the Law on Children, and issues related to children to their families, relatives and friends" - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union, Chairwoman of the An Giang Provincial Youth Union Council Ho Thi Hong Phuong expected.

GIA KHANH

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/an-giang-24-gio/thoi-su/lang-nghe-tre-em-noi-noi-cho-tre-em-nghe-a418375.html