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Activities mark 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
  • | dtinews.vn | November 13, 2019 07:06 AM
Celebration activities are being carried out in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to mark the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Thirty years ago, in 1989, world leaders made a historic commitment to the world’s children by adopting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child(CRC) – an international treaty on childhood. Adopted by 196 nations, the Convention is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history. The Convention is based on a profound idea: that children are not just objects who belong to their parents or small adults in training. Rather, they are human beings with their own rights.

The Convention says childhood is separate from adulthood, and lasts until 18; it is a special, protected time, in which children must be allowed to grow, learn, play, develop and flourish with dignity. The CRC requires that all children – without discrimination in any form – benefit from social services and protection measures, grow up in safe, clean, supportive and caring environments and can have their voices heard and participate in their societies. 

Vietnam was the first country in Asia and the second country in the world to ratify the CRC in 1990. Over the past three decades, Vietnam’s strong political commitment and leadership on child rights has led to improvements in the lives of millions of children in the country. More children are benefiting from a protective legal framework, more children are surviving at birth with access to quality health care, more children are learning knowledge and skills for the future starting from pre-school, and more children are benefited from social welfare policies. 

On the occasion of the 30thanniversary of the CRC, celebration activities are being carried out in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City by the Government, UNICEF, development and corporate partners to review the progress, identify the challenges and renew commitment to fulfil all the rights for every child. 

In Hanoi, celebration activities will take place in Hoan Kiem Lake during 16-17 November, including a celebration ceremony, a photo exhibition with the theme Lighting up the Smiles of Vietnam, the inauguration of a child-friendly CRC library, and various entertainment activities engaging children and young people. Pedestrians will also have a chance to witness the iconic Pen Tower (Thap But) and The Huc bridge lighting up in blue symbolizing the hope and opportunities that every child should enjoy. 

A National Solution Summit will also be carried out in UNIS during the same time, where children from select provinces will discuss and develop solutions for the issues that they are facing.

In Ho Chi Minh City,the Landmark 81, Vietnam’s tallest building, will be lit up with smiles to celebrate 30 years of the CRC.  Children and their families are invited to join the celebrations, to inspire hope and opportunity for every child. 

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