National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man: Building the future generation of a comprehensively developed country

On the morning of September 29, at the National Assembly House, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man attended the second mock session of the "Children's National Assembly" - 2024.

The event was chaired by the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, the Central Council of the Young Pioneers, in coordination with the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Education, the National Assembly Office and relevant ministries, departments and branches.

Also attending were former National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan; Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Thanh; Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long; leaders and former leaders of the Party and State, leaders of central departments, ministries, branches, and organizations... and 306 child delegates from 63 provinces and cities nationwide.

Before the session began, delegates and children observed a minute of silence to commemorate compatriots, soldiers and children who died due to storms and floods.

Expressing children's voices, thoughts and aspirations

The mock session of the “Children’s National Assembly” is a forum for children to express their voices, thoughts and aspirations; at the same time, practice political activities to foster dreams and build great ambitions for children, the future owners of the country; demonstrate the concern of the leaders of the Party, State, National Assembly and the whole society for children and the work of protecting, caring for and educating children.

This is also a new model of activity that promotes children's right to participate in child-related issues in accordance with children's psychology and abilities, creating conditions for children to develop their capacity and skills to present opinions, views, perceptions, and participate in the decision-making process on child-related issues.

At the meeting, the delegates were informed by the Organizing Committee and reported on the results of resolving children's petitions at the first simulated session of the "Children's National Assembly" in 2023; the preparation work for the second simulated session of the "Children's National Assembly" in 2024 and the activities taking place at the meeting on September 27-28, 2024.

During the question-and-answer session, the hypothetical child National Assembly deputies raised the wishes and aspirations of local child voters on two issues: “Prevention of school violence” and “Prevention of the harmful effects of tobacco and stimulants, especially in the school environment,” clarifying the issues of concern to “child voters” nationwide. After the question-and-answer session, Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son and Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan discussed with the child National Assembly deputies on the two topics of the session.

Promote children's participation in political and social activities

Speaking at the meeting, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man welcomed and highly appreciated the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and the Central Council of the Young Pioneers for their initiative to coordinate with relevant agencies to organize a mock meeting of the "Children's National Assembly" with the desire to promote children's early participation in political and social activities; arouse in children the desire to contribute, constantly cultivate, practice, and enrich their knowledge to become responsible citizens, both virtuous and talented, with dreams and ambitions to establish a career in the future and contribute greatly to the development of the country.

The National Assembly Chairman expressed his joy at meeting the bright, cheerful, intelligent, confident, and polite young National Assembly deputies; all of whom are exemplary models in studying and training. In particular, 11 children have won international awards, 28 children have won national awards, 77 children have won provincial awards, 126 children have won district awards, and many children have achieved many achievements in the activities of the Youth Union and children's movements, sports, arts, English competitions, information technology, history and geography, environmental protection, traffic safety, and scientific creativity.

The National Assembly Chairman warmly congratulated the students on their achievements in studying and training; worthy of everyone's trust and love, worthy of the birth of their parents, and the teaching of their teachers.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man affirmed: The Party and State always pay special attention to the cause of protecting, caring for and educating children. After nearly 40 years of implementing the country's renovation, along with socio-economic development, ensuring national defense and security, and building a strong political system, Vietnam has achieved quite comprehensive achievements in caring for, educating and protecting children's rights, which have been recognized and highly appreciated by the United Nations.

Along with State resources, in 2023 and 2024, the Central Youth Union and the Central Council of Young Pioneers mobilized an estimated VND 123.5 billion for activities to care for children. All levels, sectors and localities also have many resources to support and care for youth activities.

In addition to the achievements, there are still many concerns when children in some places still have difficulty accessing education services, health care, and nutrition; children are still subjected to violence, abuse, and accidents and injuries. School violence, new generation cigarettes, and stimulants have had and are having negative impacts on children's physical and mental health.

Therefore, the second mock session of the "Children's National Assembly" chose two topics: "Prevention of school violence" and "Prevention of harmful effects of tobacco and stimulants, especially in the school environment" which are very practical and of interest to public opinion.

Expressing his impression of the performance of the young National Assembly delegates; despite their young age, they have been very diligent in researching, learning, speaking coherently, with a confident and mature manner, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man said that many of the questions and proposed solutions were very accurate, coming from reality. The Ministers of Education and Training and Health discussed with the children in a spirit of openness, listening, frankness and closeness. The National Assembly, the Government and departments, ministries, branches and organizations will study in the process of drafting and promulgating policies and laws, resolving issues related to children.

Assessing the past 3 days, the session had many rich and practical activities. The National Assembly Chairman warmly congratulated the success of the second hypothetical session of the "Children's National Assembly" - 2024.

Perfecting legal policies on preventing and combating violence and child abuse

To continue to better implement the work of protecting, caring for and educating children, in the coming time, the National Assembly Chairman requested the National Assembly, the Government, ministries, branches, localities, the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, the Central Council of the Young Pioneers to continue to thoroughly grasp the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's policies and laws on the work of protecting, caring for and educating children; review and perfect policies and laws on preventing and combating violence, child abuse, and school violence; preventing and combating the harmful effects of tobacco, especially e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products; and addressing children's recommendations and proposals.

Parents need to care, listen and share more with their children so that they can be truly happy and peaceful in their own homes. Emphasizing that caring for and educating children is the responsibility of schools, families and the whole society, the National Assembly Chairman said that we must take drastic action and really care about this issue.

The Ministry of Education and Training further strengthens moral education in schools. Teachers create conditions and a friendly and safe educational environment, helping children to have a happy day at school every day. The community further enhances the sense of responsibility, gives the most love and care to children, protects children at all times and places, and contributes to building the future generation of the country to develop comprehensively in morality, intelligence, physical fitness and aesthetics.

The National Assembly Chairman noted that teachers and students nationwide should strictly implement the advice of General Secretary and President To Lam in his letter to the education sector on the occasion of the opening of the new school year 2024-2025. Each teacher, manager, and employee in the education sector must always be dedicated, love their profession, be creative, overcome all difficulties, constantly innovate, improve the quality of teaching and learning, build a healthy school culture; contribute more to the cause of educating people, actively contribute to "improving people's knowledge, training human resources, and nurturing talents" for the country.

The Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, the Central Council of the Young Pioneers and all levels of the Youth Union and Young Pioneers need to continue to promote their role as organizations representing the voices and aspirations of children; proactively coordinate with all levels, sectors and localities to organize many programs and activities to care for and support children, and promote children's right to participate in social life.

The National Assembly Chairman stated: Storm No. 3 has caused severe damage to 26 provinces and cities in the North. Currently, many children have not been able to go to school; many schools have collapsed, children have to study in tents and camps, and their families are in very difficult circumstances. The country is focusing on overcoming the damage, giving good feelings to children, and making efforts so that all children can go to school after the storm.

The National Assembly Chairman hopes that children across the country will always remember and practice the five teachings of Uncle Ho, become future masters of the country, and build a strong Vietnam, standing shoulder to shoulder with the world powers as beloved Uncle Ho always wished.