The 2009 National Children’s Forum kicked off in Hanoi on August 1 with the participation of 126 pupils from 21 provinces and cities nationwide.

The forum, themed “Children and Objectives for Children”, is co-organised by the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Speaking at the opening ceremony, MoLISA Deputy Minister Phung Ngoc Hung affirmed that the forum provides an opportunity for children to share and discuss issues relating to child protection and care.

The event also helps policymakers to understand more about Vietnamese children’s feelings, thoughts and aspirations, thus making a suitable national action programme for children, he added.

During the five-day forum, the participants will discuss several topics in the National Action Programme for Children such as healthcare and nutrition, education, culture, entertainment, children’s rights, protection and healthcare for disadvantaged children.

On August 4, they will have a direct dialogue with Party and State leaders on issues of their concerns../