United Nations celebrates International Day of Play at Vietnam's initiative

On June 11, in New York (USA), Vietnam and the countries of the Core Group promoting Resolution 78/268 of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly solemnly organized activities to celebrate the first International Day of Play.

Scene of the celebration. Photo: Thanh Tuan/VNA reporter in the US

According to the VNA correspondent in New York, the official celebration at the UN headquarters was attended by the wife of the President of El Salvador, the Executive Director and Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the Director of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in New York, Ambassadors, heads of delegations of the Core Group member countries, representatives of delegations of UN member countries, representatives of a number of relevant international organizations, and many children from many countries and continents... At the high-level discussion within the framework of the celebration, delegates highly appreciated the very practical initiative of Vietnam and the Core Group countries, affirming the important role of play in children's development as well as the progress of societies around the world. Delegates emphasized that play helps nurture creativity, develop learning and problem-solving skills, promote empathy, cooperation and conflict resolution, and help children develop into good citizens. In addition, play is a universal language that transcends cultural and socio-economic boundaries, providing a common platform for children around the world to interact, explore the environment and gain a deeper understanding of the world around them. Scholars and experts call on the international community and countries to invest and pay more attention to this field with specific policies and programs so that children everywhere and in all circumstances can play, develop and inspire positive changes for society and the world.

Movie star Lucy Liu, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, presented a paper on the importance of play for children's development. Photo: Thanh Tuan/VNA reporter in the US

On this occasion, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu and Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, attended the event "Early Learning Through Play" as special guests, together with kindergarten students of the United Nations International School (UNIS) in New York participating in learning while playing activities. On the sidelines of the activities to celebrate the International Day of Play, the President of the Lego Group for the Americas expressed his gratitude to Vietnam for promoting the Resolution of the UN General Assembly and wished to continue to cooperate closely with Vietnam to spread this initiative, so that children around the world can play and develop. The Lego representative also appreciated Vietnam's cooperation and support, creating conditions for the Lego factory in Binh Duong province to soon come into operation.

Also on June 11, many fun activities took place in several areas of the UN headquarters in New York, attracting the participation and response of many children and families of members of the UN Delegations and the UN Secretariat.

Some outdoor activities on the grounds of the United Nations headquarters in New York. Photo: VNA

Previously, on March 25, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted Resolution No. 78/268, choosing June 11 every year as the International Day of Play, initiated by Vietnam and other countries in the Core Group (the other 5 members are Bulgaria, El Salvador, Jamaica, Kenya and Luxembourg), with the co-sponsorship of 138 countries. The resolution recognizes the role of play in physical development, social skills, cognition, communication, and emotional life at all ages, and recognizes the importance of ensuring access to play and recreational activities for the physical and mental health and development of children and young people. The resolution calls on all member states and agencies within the UN system to celebrate the International Day of Play to raise awareness of the important meaning of play in social life.

Thanh Tuan - Hoai Thanh (Vietnam News Agency)

Source : https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/lien-hop-quoc-ky-niem-ngay-quoc-te-vui-choi-theo-sang-kien-cua-viet-nam-20240612102238005.htm