High-level conference to strengthen national policies for the comprehensive development of children
The inclusion of child rights related targets in the country’s Social Economic Development Plan and investment in those areas will have profound implications for children’s optimum development
Ha Noi (Viet Nam), 23 November 2019 - A high-level conference on policies for the comprehensive development of children is held today in Ha Noi hosted by the National Assembly, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) and UNICEF as part of the 30th anniversary celebrations of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
“Viet Nam’s Constitution and other legal documents related to children have clearly shown that protection, care and education of children is considered a national strategic issue, contributing to the preparation and improvement of the quality of human resources for the country’s industrialization, modernization in the process of international integration,” said Ms Tong Thi Phong, Vice Chair of the National Assembly, at the Conference.
While the Convention on the Rights of the Child applies to each and every child below the age of 18, the Conference is putting a spot light on the youngest and the oldest children. This is because early childhood and adolescence are important windows of opportunity to influence a child’s future life course and are key to Viet Nam’s ambitious goals for human capital development and sustainable growth. The economic success of countries in the future will depend on putting children at the heart of human capital development.
Human capital development begins with the youngest. In Viet Nam, significant progress has been achieved in early childhood development over the past 30 years, however further efforts are needed to address issues such as stunting, access to pre-school, violence against children and children without parental care. The approval of the Prime Minister’s Decision 1437 to promote IECD is a significant step to facilitate the access to multiple services among young children and their families in a cohesive manner.
Adolescence is also critical, as a life stage characterized by growing opportunities, participants at the conference also recognize significant vulnerabilities and risks that older children are facing in this period. Nevertheless, the Law on Children defines children as those under 16, which excludes those between 16-17 years from a full range of services and protection measures. “The unintended consequence of the low age of childhood in the Law on Children in Viet Nam is that we have left them in no man’s land – not yet adults, not yet reached the age of majority – but no longer given the same protections from abuse as younger children”, said Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative. The Conference is identifying concrete measures to strengthen the legal framework to ensure all children are adequately protected.
An important pathway to the full implementation of children’s rights is to ensure that children’s priorities are integrated into the medium and long-term plans, and importantly, in national and sub-national budgets. “UNICEF counts on the National Assembly, in its capacity to make vital decisions and carry out oversight, to assure the SEDS/P include child related targets and indicators, especially those encompassing IECD and adolescent development for promoting comprehensive development of children in Viet Nam“, said Ms Flowers
Thirty years on, the rights set out in the CRC remain acutely relevant, as are its guiding principles. These principles call on us to realise the rights of every child without discrimination and prioritize the best interests of the child. They recognize the simple fact that children and young people are agents of change. Their participation in identifying critical issues affecting them, planning and policy dialogue is key to setting the agenda for action and identifying solutions to the critical challenges we face.
On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Convention of Child Rights, this conference is intended to foster dialogue and action for the protection of child rights and thus upholding the principles of the Convention. More than 100 senior members of the National Assembly, leaders of the government, line ministries and agencies, civil social organizations, universities, research institutions, private sector, INGOs, and development organizations are present at the conference. Key discussion points at the conference will be documented and sent to relevant agencies for enhancing their awareness and follow up action for the implementation of the rights of every child in Viet Nam.
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. More than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org/vietnam.
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For more information, please contact:
- Louis Vigneault-Dubois, UNICEF Việt Nam +84-24-38500241; +84-966539673; email : [email protected]
- Nguyễn Thị Thanh Hương, UNICEF Việt Nam, 84-24-38500225; +84-904154678; email: [email protected]
