FINAL WORKSHOP OF THE PROJECT “PREVENTING PHYSICAL AND MENTAL VIOLENCE AND DISCRIMINATION AGAINST CHILDREN, INCLUDING CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES” (AVAC) 2024

FINAL WORKSHOP OF THE PROJECT “PREVENTING PHYSICAL AND MENTAL VIOLENCE AND DISCRIMINATION AGAINST CHILDREN, INCLUDING CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES” (AVAC)

Hanoi, November 12, 2024 – The final workshop of the project “Preventing Physical and Mental Violence and Discrimination Against Children, Including Children with Disabilities” (AVAC) was held with the participation of nearly 80 delegates representing state agencies, schools, and social organizations. The event was organized by the Vietnam Southeast Asian Studies Association (SEARAV) in collaboration with the Management and Sustainable Development Institute (MSD), Save the Children Vietnam, and project partners. The project, which was approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs under Decision No. 1210/QĐ-BNV dated December 21, 2022, is funded by Save the Children Hong Kong and coordinated by Save the Children Vietnam. This is a component of the AVAC project, coordinated by Save the Children and implemented through three partners: MSD, the Vietnam Association for the Protection of Children’s Rights (VACR), and the Institute for Community Development Research (ACDC).

The goal of the AVAC project is to contribute to the effective implementation of children’s rights alongside the government and relevant stakeholders, ensuring that children’s rights are fully realized as committed. In particular, the medium-term goal is to support children, especially children with disabilities, through social organizations and stakeholders to meaningfully participate and be protected from all forms of violence.

All representatives from ministries, social organizations, teachers, parents, and other stakeholders involved in the AVAC project

The final workshop of the project “Preventing Physical and Mental Violence and Discrimination Against Children, Including Children with Disabilities” was held to summarize the results achieved during the project’s implementation, listen to the feedback from stakeholders, and share lessons learned from the project partners. The aim was to enhance the effectiveness of sustaining and widely disseminating the project’s outcomes.

The workshop was attended by over 80 delegates from relevant agencies and units, including representatives from the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union, Save the Children Vietnam, the Management and Sustainable Development Institute (MSD), the Vietnam Association for the Protection of Children’s Rights (VACR), the Institute for Community Development Research (ACDC), and many domestic child-focused social organizations. Notably, teachers from educational institutions involved in the AVAC project, along with parents and students, were also present.

In his opening speech, Dr. Phạm Thanh Tịnh, President of the Vietnam Southeast Asian Studies Association, emphasized the importance of promoting children’s participation and… Listening to children’s voices, especially those of children with disabilities, not only helps identify early signs of violence and discrimination but also creates opportunities for children to participate in decisions related to their lives.

Dr. Phạm Thanh Tịnh, President of the Vietnam Southeast Asian Studies Association

At the event, Ms. Trần Vân Anh, Deputy Director of the Management and Sustainable Development Institute (MSD) and Representative of the Organizing Committee for the final workshop of the project, shared, “Promoting the implementation of children’s rights in general and efforts to prevent violence and discrimination against children, in particular, has always been one of the priorities in MSD’s activities. Through the AVAC project, we have the opportunity to continue this effort, especially through activities that promote children’s participation and raise awareness among stakeholders about the application of positive discipline and the elimination of all forms of physical and mental punishment against children.”

Ms. Trần Vân Anh – Deputy Director of the Management and Sustainable Development Institute (MSD)

The results of the 2024 survey on children’s participation conducted by the project show that violence and discrimination remain prevalent, with a relatively high rate in children’s daily lives across all environments, from micro to meso and macro levels, including the online space. Specifically, over 88% of children surveyed reported having been scolded in their families; nearly 78% had witnessed school violence, and most children felt that their participation in community activities was still limited. More than 86% of children reported using social media, and a positive note is that over 70% of the surveyed children had learned content and skills to protect themselves in the online environment. MSD hopes that the findings from this survey report will serve as a reference point and a source of information for relevant agencies and organizations in the process of advising, developing, and implementing child rights activities, programs, and initiatives in Vietnam.

Ms. Lê Thị Thùy Dương – Director of Strategy, Program Quality, and Effectiveness at Save the Children Vietnam also shared the organization’s long-term commitment to promoting children’s rights in general, and the rights of children who are most affected by inequality and discrimination, including children with disabilities, in particular.

Ms. Lê Thị Thùy Dương – Director of Strategy, Program Quality, and Effectiveness at Save the Children Vietnam

Within the framework of the workshop, two discussions were held on practical topics related to child protection, with the active participation of representatives from various stakeholders. Specifically, the Department of Children, Ministry of Education, Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union, Save the Children Vietnam, MSD, VACR, PDEP (Positive Discipline Program), and ACDC exchanged and discussed topics, including:

Discussion 1: Listening to Children to Protect Children: The discussions focused on the participation of children, especially children with disabilities, in activities and issues related to children. The aim was to find solutions to create a safe, equal, and friendly environment where children feel comfortable expressing their voices, while stakeholders can listen, adjust, and respond to meet children’s needs and aspirations in a suitable manner.

Discussion 1: Listening to Children to Protect Children

Discussion 2: Joining Hands to Prevent Physical and Mental Violence and Discrimination Against Children: The importance of multi-stakeholder cooperation and commitment, involving state agencies, social organizations, schools, and families, in implementing activities, initiatives, and child protection programs, as well as preventing all forms of violence, abuse, and discrimination against children, especially children with disabilities. The discussion focused on the strategic plan for the next steps in mobilizing the active participation of parents and social organizations in child protection efforts, creating a safe environment for children across various spaces such as families, schools, and social media.

Discussion 2: Joining Hands to Prevent Physical and Mental Violence and Discrimination Against Children

Sharing at the workshop, Sơn, a student from the C5 deaf class, said, “We are very fortunate to have participated in several training sessions on preventing violence and abuse, as well as online safety skills. At first, I faced some difficulties, but thanks to the thorough support from the teachers and my deaf classmates, I found it easier to absorb the knowledge. We also had the opportunity to implement our initiatives during the learning process and share our knowledge with other students.”

The student from the C5 deaf class

Linh Nhi, a student from Tây Đằng Secondary School, excitedly shared about the changes she has experienced after participating in the project’s activities. She mentioned that she feels more confident, her life has become more meaningful, and, especially, she is now able to express her opinions more confidently to her parents and teachers.

The student from Tây Đằng Secondary School

The final workshop of the project “Preventing Physical and Mental Violence and Discrimination Against Children, Including Children with Disabilities” (AVAC) once again affirmed the commitment of the participating organizations and the importance of listening to children and protecting them from the issues of violence and abuse. The event summarized the activities carried out by the project over the past period, gathered feedback, and opened up new directions and solutions to further enhance the effectiveness of promoting children’s participation. The topics discussed at the workshop serve as a foundation for stakeholders to work together in building a safe environment, respecting and protecting children’s rights, and creating an equal and civilized society.

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About the Management and Sustainable Development Institute (MSD):

As a non-profit social organization in Vietnam, MSD works towards a sustainable, fair, and equal Vietnam, where all individuals and families can maximize their potential through quality education, stable income, and healthy living. MSD continuously strives to improve the sustainable quality of life for vulnerable community groups by mobilizing and linking strengths, building a cooperative ecosystem in sustainable development practices.

The Children and Youth Program (CandY) is one of MSD’s key programs, built with the vision of a world where children, youth, and family members have the opportunity to reach their full potential through access to high-quality education, care, and protection services based on a rights-based approach. Currently, the Children and Youth Program focuses on four main areas: the right to survival, the right to development, the right to protection, and the right to participation of children and youth through methods such as: (1) Education and communication on children’s rights for children and families via creative media and communication channels; (2) Providing direct support services and legal access assistance; (3) Advocating for policies and connecting stakeholders for effective child rights governance in Vietnam. The CandY program focuses on topics including: Children’s Rights Education, Child Rights Governance, Global Digital Citizenship Education, Standard Digital Citizens, Preventing Child Abuse and Violence, especially Preventing Physical and Mental Punishment and Abuse of Children, Promoting Participation and Voices of Children and Youth, etc.