Da Nang’s Journey Toward Friendly and Healthy Cities for Youth
On December 19, 2024, UNICEF Vietnam, in collaboration with the Da Nang Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs (DOLISA), successfully held its annual workshop to review activities from the 2023-2024 period and develop a work plan for 2025-2026. This workshop is part of the Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI), implemented by the Da Nang People’s Committee in partnership with UNICEF Vietnam and Phase II of the Healthy Cities for Adolescents (HCA-II) project in Da Nang, funded by the Botnar Foundation and managed by Ecorys.
Key participants included representatives from core city departments and sectors, such as: DOLISA, Department of Health, Department of Education and Training, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Da Nang City Youth Union, Vietnam-UK Institute of Executive Research and Training. Additionally, the event welcomed representatives from Ecorys, UNICEF Vietnam, and social organizations.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Huong, Deputy Director of DOLISA Da Nang, delivered the opening speech, emphasizing three main objectives:
- Review and evaluate the results of the 2023-2024 period;
- Share difficulties and propose solutions for improvement;
- Agree on an action plan for the 2025-2026 period.
Promising achievements of the CFCI/HCA-II Da Nang project
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh An, Social Policy and Governance Program specialist of UNICEF Vietnam, highly appreciated the commitment and efforts from all partners in implementing the activities of the CFCI/HCA-II Da Nang project in the 2023-2024 period with many encouraging results:
- Promoting meaningful participation of children
- The Children’s Council model has been expanded to 31/56 communes and wards in Da Nang, creating opportunities for children’s voices to be heard and respected.
- Skills training programs such as mental health and digital transformation have helped children and adolescents to be equipped with essential knowledge and skills in the new era.
- Strengthening the social protection system
- Initial implementation of the expanded cash support program.
- Organizing training courses for social protection and child protection staff and parents on positive parenting skills.
- Improving health and nutrition
- Training sessions on clean water, menstrual hygiene, and nutrition, and combating overweight and obesity have been organized for children, adolescents and health workers across the city.
- Encourage creativity and digital integration
- Successfully organized events such as Youth On! Hackathon, U-Invent, summer courses on leadership and STEM skills in collaboration with the Vietnam-UK Institute for Research and Training (VN-UK).
- These activities not only create useful playgrounds but also promote creative thinking and technological capabilities of young people.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh An also emphasized: “This is an important step towards building Da Nang into a friendly, safe and healthy city for all children and adolescents – where they develop comprehensively both physically and mentally, and their voices and needs are respected.”
Photo exhibition: Children’s voices through the lens of photography
In parallel with the workshop, a special photo exhibition was displayed in the area outside the hall. The works were made by children and adolescents in Da Nang, carrying the message of a friendlier city through 4 main topics:
- Reading culture,
- Extracurricular activities,
- Nutrition,
- Entertainment.
These works not only express the children’s thoughts and wishes, but also reflect their aspirations to learn, play and grow comprehensively.
Expectations from the workshop
The workshop has become an effective forum for the parties to share experiences, discuss solutions and agree on a practical action plan for the next phase. Hopefully, with close cooperation, the project will continue to achieve positive results, contributing to building Da Nang into a friendly, healthy and safe city for all children.
