Pyidaungsu and Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker U T Khun Myat addresses the ceremony to mark World Children’s Day at the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw theatre in Nay Pyi Taw. Photo: MNA
World Children’s Day was observed at the theatre building of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday. Speaking at the ceremony to mark the day, the Speaker of Pyidaungsu and Pyithu Hluttaws, U T Khun Myat, expressed hope that the government and other agencies will find ways to cooperate with each other to ensure a better life for children in Myanmar.
As part of Children’s Day celebrations last year, a discussion was held for children and youths at the Mandalay Region’s Hluttaw, where they were asked to voice their concerns. The Speaker called on the members of parliament, the UNICEF, and the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief, and Resettlement to take note of the concerns raised at the meeting and collaborate to find solutions.
“To promote the basic principles of the agreement on promoting the rights of children, the Hluttaws and the UNICEF have cooperated in several areas over the last two years. These include legislation, budget scrutiny, ensuring checks and balances on the executive sector, and representing the people,” he said.
“In all constituencies, the population of children aged 14 years or below has reached 14.4 million and population in the 15 to 24 age group has touched 9 million. We are obliged to consider issues related to children and their challenges as part of efforts towards building a brighter future for children and a nation where they can achieve their ambitions,” said U T Khun Myat.
“Teenagers today have high expectations of themselves and the society they live in and are constantly thinking of new ways to make the world a better place. Young people are vigorous and brave and possess a strong sense of curiosity. They constantly challenge outdated standards of society,” he said.
“The current age is unlike any other as it incorporates modern media mechanisms and internationally linked incidents. Young people are pushing for greater social development and are handling issues of sustainability and hardships of society in this modern age,” he added.
“We should always take time to listen to the voices of the children and youths, who are also citizens of the country. We must endeavor to create a future where healthy, well-educated, and successful young people populate the nation,”
he said.
Roundtable discussions on education, violence against children, and peace held by Pyidaungsu Hluttaw representatives and members of U-Report at the World Children’s Day ceremony. Photo: MNA
The Union Minster for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, Dr. Win Myat Aye also gave a speech at the event. He said World Children’s Day is celebrated on 20 November in honor of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which was adopted at the 44th UN General Assembly on the same date in 1989.
He said his ministry has been cooperating with other ministries, UN and civil society organizations, INGOs, and NGOs to ensure the rights of children, including celebrations of Children’s Day.
He said the ministry has been implementing the four protocols of the UNCRC, which calls for a child’s right to life, right to development, right to protection, and right to inclusion.
Afterwards, Ms. June Kunugi, the UNICEF’s representative to Myanmar, delivered a speech.
Later, youth invited to the event shared their opinions on education, violence against children, and peace with the other participants.
The Season 3 winners of Myanmar’s Got Talent, Junior Creative, gave a performance on violence against young girls.
Youth members of U-Report, a digital platform for youth, shared their views on violence against children and women. They also presented a report on out-of-school children.
Young people from Kachin and Shan states also expressed their opinions and experiences on peace. Myanmar Idol singers Saw Lar Htaw Wah and May Kyi also performed at the event.
Next, Pyidaungsu Hluttaw representatives and members of U-Report held roundtable discussions on education, violence against children, and peace.
Dr. Tin Tin Win, the Chairperson of the Committee for Women’s and Children’s Rights and Amyotha Hluttaw MP, delivered a speech. The attendees then posted promises to uphold rights of children on the celebratory tree in the
hall and sang ‘The World We Love’.
Celebrations for the World Children’s Day 2018 were held to promote children’s right to education, protection, and peaceful existence. — MNA /
(Translated by Zaw Htet Oo)
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