Live streamed on the fanpages of the UN in Vietnam and the HCYU Central Committee, the event acknowledged the participation of young volunteers and activists who are pushing for positive change and amplified young peoples’ voices, actions and initiatives, as well as their meaningful, universal and equitable engagement.
The young participants shared their views on the 2020 Youth Law, the rights and responsibilities of all young people including vulnerable young groups, as well as obligations of the responsible entities to meet their rights.
They strongly affirmed that Vietnamese young people, including vulnerable groups such as the ethnic minority youth, young migrant workers, young people with disabilities, young LGBTQIA+ and young people aged 16-18, are the key agents for change and innovation towards the achievements of sustainability, resilience and the motto of leaving no one behind.
Miss Universe Vietnam 2017 H’Hen Nie, a dynamic and energetic young volunteer, shared her experience when providing support to doctors and nurses as well as local people during the COVID-19 social distancing periods. “I voluntarily join young artists and people to support frontline doctors and nurses and the communities. I want to make some modest contribution to the fight against COVID-19. I think I have changed a lot these days. At the moment, I consider myself a volunteer, neither a Miss Universe nor a celebrity.”
“I call on all young people to think positively and find innovative ways to support our communities, either materially or spiritually. Let us unite and together we will win the fight against COVID-19 and contribute to the sustainable development of our communities and our country as a whole,” she said.
In his opening speech, Secretary of the HCYU Central Committee Nguyen Tuong Lam confirmed that the power of young people and their actions are the nation’s treasures. “The youth is a large social force, one of the most important elements determining the future destiny of the nation, and the major force in many areas taking over work that requires sacrifice, hardship, good health and innovation.”
For her part, Naomi Kitahara, UNFPA Representative in Vietnam and Chair of the UN Thematic Group for Adolescents and Youth in Vietnam, reaffirmed young people’s unique and crucial roles in policy and decision-making processes at local, national, regional and international levels.
“The UN in Vietnam acknowledges the efforts of the Government in providing adolescents and youth with the opportunities to design, participate in and contribute to the socio-economic development of the country. The approval of the revised Youth Law by Vietnam’s National Assembly during its 14th session in June 2020 is one of the greatest strides for Vietnam to ensure young people’s roles, responsibilities and rights in the national development process,” Kitahara said.
“The Youth Law explains young people’s participation, states the clear responsibilities of the Government; the Vietnam National Youth Committee and other organisations, and ensures the allocation of the state budget for the implementation of the Youth Law. Moreover, specific policies to support young people from ethnic minorities and those aged 16 to 18 were included in the policy provisions,” she noted.
