Sharing initiatives for Child Friendly Cities for children and adolescents in Danang

Da Nang, January 10, 2025 – The exchange and learning workshop on the Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) was co-organized by the Da Nang Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (DOLISA) and UNICEF Viet Nam. This event was also part of Phase II of the Healthy Cities for Adolescents (HCA-II) project in Da Nang, funded by the Botnar Foundation and managed by Ecorys.

The workshop aimed to share key achievements and best practices in building child-friendly cities, focusing on areas such as child protection, nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and education for children and adolescents in the digital age. It also served as a platform to foster experience-sharing between Da Nang and other localities across the country in implementing children’s rights within urban contexts.
Participants included representatives from the Department of Children’s Affairs under the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs; DOLISA offices from Hanoi, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Hue, and Can Tho; the Da Nang Department of Health; the Da Nang Youth Union; the Vietnam-UK Institute for Research and Training (VNUK); and international social and non-governmental organizations.
Additionally, nearly 30 young participants attended the workshop, including members of the Children’s Councils, the Adolescent and Youth Advisory Group (AYAG), and award-winning students from innovation competitions under the CFCI/HCA-II project in Da Nang in 2024. Representatives from Ecorys and UNICEF Viet Nam experts also contributed by sharing their experiences and insights.
Promoting Child Friendly Cities: From Ideas to Action
Ms. Anjanette Saguisag, Chief of Social Policy and Governance at UNICEF Viet Nam, emphasized:
“The goal of today’s workshop is to share knowledge and learn from one another. Each participating city has its unique experiences and solutions. By exchanging ideas, we can replicate effective models and practices across Viet Nam. Particularly, Da Nang’s holistic approach to promoting children’s participation in city planning serves as an inspiring model. Integrating children’s rights into urban planning is not only necessary but also urgent.”

The presentations at the workshop focused on:
(i) An overview of the Child-Friendly City Initiative (CFCI) and the Healthy Cities for Adolescents (HCA-II) project in Da Nang, as well as in regional and global contexts.
(ii) Key achievements under the CFCI and HCA-II projects in Da Nang during the 2023-2024 period, including child protection, nutrition, combating overweight and obesity, sanitation, clean water, raising awareness on climate change, and integrating science and technology into education.
In addition, the workshop highlighted the Children’s Council model and best practices in promoting children’s participation in urban areas, with contributions from representatives of the Da Nang Youth Union, and DOLISA offices from Can Tho and Hai Phong.
Children’s Voices in Child Friendly Cities
Alongside the workshop, an exhibition of photographs themed “Our Cities, Through Our Eyes” and outstanding initiatives from children and adolescents in Da Nang were displayed. The exhibition conveyed the message of a friendly city, focusing on mental health, innovative learning, and environmental protection.




At the conclusion of the workshop, Mrs. Anjanette Saguisag remarked:
“Today’s workshop is a testament to our shared commitment to addressing urban challenges, ensuring no child is left behind. Through sharing and learning, we can together create creative and practical solutions for a better future.”