Circular No. 15/2014/TT-BLDTBXH guiding the organization of the Month of Action for Children

CIRCULAR

Guidelines for Organizing the Month of Action for Children

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Pursuant to Decree No. 71/2011/NĐ-CP dated August 22, 2011 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Protection, Care, and Education of Children;

Pursuant to Decree No. 106/2012/NĐ-CP dated December 20, 2012, of the Government, stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs;

At the proposal of the Director of the Child Protection and Care Department,

the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs issues this Circular to guide the organization of the Month of Action for Children.

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

1. This Circular guides the organization of the Month of Action for Children.

2. This Circular applies to state management agencies at all levels concerning children, People's Committees at all levels, agencies, organizations, and individuals related to child care, education, and protection.

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

The Month of Action for Children is a concentrated period of communication and social mobilization to implement the Party’s policies, laws, and State policies on child care, education, and protection.

Article 3. Purpose of organizing the Month of Action for Children

1. To promote the attention of Party committees, authorities, sectors, families, and society regarding the significance, importance, and goals to be achieved in child care, education, and protection.

2. To effectively implement policies and programs; to mobilize society to improve living conditions and create opportunities for children to live in safe, healthy environments conducive to comprehensive development.

3. To provide conditions for all children, especially poor children, children from remote areas, border regions, islands, and children with special circumstances to have a safe and healthy summer break.

Article 4. Determining Themes and Content of Activities

1. Theme

Annually, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs bases its plan on the actual situation of the country, focusing on pressing social issues related to children that the community cares about or recently enacted laws and policies concerning children, to communicate and mobilize to raise public awareness. The theme should be concise, easy to understand, and convey a message promoting positive action for children.

2. Content of Activities

It focuses on directives and guidance for child care, education, and protection work; annual and five-year targets for child care, education, and protection that require societal attention and resolution.

Article 5. Time of Organization

The Month of Action for Children is organized from June 1st to June 30th each year.

Article 6. Implementation of the Month of Action for Children

1. Plan Development

Labor and Social Services agencies at all levels take the lead and coordinate with relevant agencies and organizations to develop implementation plans for the Month of Action for Children based on selected themes and contents; determine funding sources and budgets, and carry out activities.

2. Communication

a) Develop slogans and messages to implement the theme and content of the Month of Action for Children.

b) Develop communication guidelines; model communication materials and products; print and distribute posters, banners, and slogans. Provide materials and information related to the theme and content of the Month of Action for Children to mass media agencies.

c) Organize the Launch Ceremony of the Month of Action for Children

The Launch Ceremony of the Month of Action for Children is held in the last week of May or on June 1st. The ceremony involves participation from leaders of local Party committees and governments; leaders of agencies and organizations related to child care, education, and protection. The number of participants in the ceremony is appropriate to the economic and social conditions of the locality.

(Program for the Launch Ceremony of the Month of Action for Children according to Model No. 1)

3. Mobilizing Resources for Child Care, Education, and Protection

Child Welfare Funds at all levels mobilize resources from domestic and international organizations to contribute to implementing national programs for children; support resources to build welfare facilities for children; gift presents, scholarships, sponsorships, and assistance to poor children, children from remote areas, border regions, islands, and children with special circumstances; support surgeries and corrective treatments for disabled children and children with serious illnesses.

4. Visiting and Gift-Giving Activities

5. Organizing Cultural, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism, and Sightseeing Activities for Children during the Month of Action for Children and Summer Break.

a) Organize safe and healthy cultural, entertainment, sports, tourism, and sightseeing activities for children. Guide and educate children on traditional cultural values, folk games, and toys of their locality.

b) Educate and guide children on self-protection skills against labor exploitation, abuse, and accidents; organize traffic safety, swimming, rescue, and first aid activities; knowledge and skills on participating and expressing opinions suitable for age; life skills, presentation skills, and communication skills.

c) Organize exchange activities (roundtable discussions, specialized seminars, singing and dancing contests, painting, storytelling) between children with special circumstances and other children to enhance confidence and support integration into the community.

6. Organizing Activities with Children's Participation

a) Organize social activities with children's participation.

b) Organize Children's Forums at various levels to provide opportunities for children to express opinions, suggestions, and wishes on issues related to them.

c) Support the activities of children's clubs and groups during the summer holiday in residential areas.

Article 7. Reporting System

1. At the district level

Before July 5th each year, the Labor and Social Services Office compiles and reports to the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs on the results of the Month of Action for Children.

2. At the provincial level

Before July 10th each year, the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs compiles and reports to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs on the results of the Month of Action for Children.

(Compilation Report according to Model No. 2)

Article 8. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs

1. Guidance on implementing the Month of Action for Children nationwide.

2. Developing themes, contents; communication and social mobilization materials for the Month of Action for Children.

3. Preparing for visits and gift-giving by Party and State leaders and Ministry leaders to poor children, mountainous children, ethnic minority children, border, island children, and children with special circumstances during the Month of Action for Children.

4. Mobilizing scholarships and gifts for children, poor children, mountainous children, ethnic minority children, border, island children, and children with special circumstances.

5. Monitor and supervise the implementation process of the plan and report on the summary of the Children's Action Month.

Article 9. Responsibilities of People's Committees at all levels

1. Inspect, urge, and evaluate the implementation of the Children's Action Month.

2. Direct agencies, units, local social organizations and request the Party Committee to direct political-social organizations to have specific plans and practical activities for the care, education, and protection of children during the Children's Action Month.

3. Allocate funds and mobilize resources to implement the Children's Action Month in a practical and effective manner, creating equal development opportunities for children.

4. Develop plans and prioritize solving long-standing and pressing issues in the work of caring for, educating, and protecting children at the local level.

Article 10. Responsibilities of the Provincial and District Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs Authorities

1. Take the lead and coordinate with relevant agencies and organizations to build plans and implement activities according to the theme and content of the Children's Action Month at the local level.

2. Coordinate with the Propaganda Department of the Local Party Committee to publicize Directive No. 20-CT/TW dated November 5, 2012 of the Politburo on strengthening the Party's leadership over the work of caring for, educating, and protecting children in the new situation; guide the contents of the Children's Action Month to leaders, Party committees at all levels, and local press reporters.

3. Coordinate with related agencies and organizations to advise the People's Committee to organize the launch ceremony of the Children's Action Month.

Article 11. Implementation Provisions

1. This Circular takes effect from August 15, 2014.

2. During the implementation process, if there are difficulties or obstacles, agencies are requested to promptly reflect them to the Ministry of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs for research and resolution./.