Circular No. 33/2014/TT-BLDTBXH on guiding the organization of Children's Forums at all levels

CIRCULAR

GUIDELINES FOR ORGANIZING CHILDREN'S FORUMS AT VARIOUS LEVELS

Pursuant to the Law on Protection, Care, and Education of Children No. 25/2004/QH11 dated June 15, 2004;

Pursuant to the Government Decree No. 71/2011/NĐ-CP dated August 22, 2011 detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Protection, Care, and Education of Children 2004;

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 Department for Child Protection and Care;

The Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs issues this Circular guiding the organization of children's forums at various levels,

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

1. This Circular guides the organization of central-level, provincial-level, and district-level children's forums.

2. This Circular applies to state management agencies, organizations, and individuals related to child protection, care, and education work.

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

1Children's forum as defined in this Circular is an activity where child representatives express their opinions and wishes or where agencies and organizations seek children's opinions on issues related to children.

2. Discussion session is a meeting for children to exchange and discuss to reach consensus on the content presented during the meeting or dialogue session.

3. Meeting and dialogue session is a formal meeting for children to meet, exchange views, express their opinions and wishes, and hear feedback from representatives of agencies and organizations related to children.

4. Child representative is a person knowledgeable about children's rights, experienced and skilled in working with children, assigned by authorized agencies or organizations to participate in the forum to care for, protect, and guide children.

5. Volunteers is a person skilled in working with children who voluntarily participates and is invited by authorized agencies or organizations to support the forum.

Article 3. Principles for organizing children's forums

1. Ensuring children's participation rights so that they can voice their opinions.

2. Ensuring children's equality, privacy, and confidentiality.

3. Ensuring principles for the best interests of children, protecting children, and not harming them.

4. Complying with legal regulations.

Chapter II

ORGANIZATION OF CHILDREN'S FORUMS

Article 4. Determination of Topics and Content of Children's Forums

Determining topics and content for children's forums must be based on the actual situation of the country and locality, focusing on social issues related to children that the community cares about or laws and policies concerning children that have been or will soon be issued. The topic should be concise, easy to understand, and convey a message promoting positive action for children.

Article 5. Time and Duration of Organizing Children's Forums

The time and duration of organizing children's forums must be appropriate to the forum activities' content, without affecting children's health and school programs.

Article 6. Venue and Material Conditions for Organizing Children's Forums

1. The venue for organizing children's forums must be safe, friendly to children, and within the administrative unit organizing the forum.

2. Material conditions for organizing children's forums

a) Meeting rooms that allow flexible arrangement of tables and chairs for children to participate in group discussion, games, cultural performances, and dialogues.

b) Ensuring sound and lighting equipment.

c) Banners, promotional messages, and title boards on the forum's theme.

d) Office supplies.

e) Ensuring food, drink, rest, hygiene, first aid, emergency transport, and fire prevention conditions.

Article 7. Participants in the Children's Forum

The participants in the Children's Forum include children, child supervisors, volunteers, and dialogue guests.

1. Children participating in the Forum include those who wish to participate, those selected from localities and institutions, and those elected through participation in various levels of the Children's Forum.

2. Child supervisors: each person is responsible for caring for and supporting no more than five children.

3. The ratio of volunteers participating in the Children's Forum to the number of children participating in the Forum shall not exceed one-tenth.

4. Dialogue meeting guests include representatives of agencies and organizations related to the dialogue. The number of guests shall not exceed one-third of the total number of children participating in the Forum.

Article 8. Selection of children to participate in the Children's Forum

1. Criteria for selecting children to participate in the Children's Forum

a) From nine years old to under sixteen years old.

b) Voluntarily registering to participate in the Forum (Annex attached to this Circular).

c) Obtaining consent from parents or legal guardians (Annex attached to this Circular).

d) Ensuring health to participate in the Forum.

2. The structure of children participating in the Forum must ensure representation of regions, ethnic groups, age, gender, religion, and children with special circumstances within the scope of the locality, agency, or unit organizing the event.

3. Process of selecting and nominating children to participate in the Children's Forum

a) Publicly announcing the theme, content of the Forum; criteria for selection and process for nominating children to participate in the Forum.

b) Implementing the selection of children to participate in the Forum from localities, institutions, or from lower-level Children's Forums to participate in higher-level Children's Forums.

c) The form of election at the Forum is nomination, voting, or ballot.

Article 9. Preparations for the Children's Forum

1. Preparation of documents and materials

The competent authority issues a Decision approving the plan and establishing the Organizing Committee of the Forum; sends official letters requesting relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals to cooperate in organizing the Forum; develops internal regulations, guidance materials for children, child supervisors, volunteers, and reporters participating in the Forum; builds communication materials and introduces the Forum.

2. Responsibilities of children participating in the Forum

a) Participate in preparing proposals and recommendations to build the content and main messages of the Forum.

b) Prepare cultural and artistic programs and games suitable for the theme and content of the Forum.

c) Prepare communication products and exhibition products according to the theme and content of the Forum (if applicable).

3. Responsibilities of the Forum Organizing Committee, child supervisors, and volunteers

a) Provide information and materials to help children understand the theme, content, and preparation requirements of the Forum.

b) Understand the advantages, difficulties, and wishes of children to provide timely support.

c) Guide children on teamwork skills, presentation, listening, asking questions, and answering questions.

Article 10. Organization of the Children's Forum

The Children's Forum is organized into sessions, including two sessions: discussion session and meeting session.

1. Discussion Session

a) Responsibilities of children participating in the Forum

- Participate in discussions in thematic groups to propose recommendations, main messages, and issues to be discussed in the meeting session.

- Select and nominate children to represent their group to present the results of the discussion.

b) Responsibilities of the Organizing Committee, child supervisors, and volunteers

- Provide additional information and explain to children the texts and materials related to the theme and content of the Forum using language that is friendly and easy to understand for children.

- Identify, support, and promptly resolve obstacles and difficulties faced by children during the discussion session.

2. Meeting and Dialogue Session

a) Responsibilities of children participating in the Forum

- Representatives of discussion groups report the results of group discussions.

- Ask questions and exchange with representatives of state agencies, organizations, and individuals involved in protecting, caring for, and educating children.

- Hand over the message text and recommendations of the Forum to representatives of state agencies, organizations, and individuals involved in protecting, caring for, and educating children and guests attending the Forum.

b) The Organizing Committee, child supervisors, and volunteers are responsible for identifying, supporting, and promptly resolving obstacles and difficulties faced by children during the meeting session and dialogue.

c) Responsibilities of state agencies, organizations, and individuals involved in protecting, caring for, and educating children participating in the Forum

- Answer questions and recommendations raised by children within the scope of their functions, duties, and powers.

- Receive the message and recommendations of the Forum for continued consideration, response, and resolution after the Forum concludes.

3. Other activities: cultural and sports events, tours, press conferences may only take place when truly necessary and appropriate for the Forum and must be approved by the Organizing Committee.

Based on the time and budget for organizing the Forum, the Organizing Committee includes cultural and sports activities, tours for children within the scope of the Forum or allows children to participate in press conferences about the Forum in accordance with the law.

Article 11. Report on the results of the Forum and transmit messages and recommendations from the Children's Forum

Within fifteen days at the latest after the conclusion of the Forum, the Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs agency organizing the Forum shall be responsible for reporting the results of discussions and messages, recommendations of children at the Forum to the People's Committee at the same level, the higher-level Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs agency, and relevant agencies and organizations regarding the response and resolution of children's recommendations.

Article 12. Monitoring and reporting on the receipt, response, and resolution of children's opinions and recommendations

1. The provincial and district-level Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs agencies shall be responsible for monitoring and reporting the situation of receiving, responding to, and resolving children's recommendations from relevant agencies and organizations to the People's Committee and higher-level Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs agencies.

2. The Child Protection and Care Department under the Ministry of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs shall be responsible for monitoring and compiling the situation of organizing children's forums at various levels and the reception, feedback, and resolution of children's opinions and recommendations from relevant agencies and organizations related to child protection, care, and education.

Article 13. Budget for organizing the Children's Forum

The budget for organizing the Children's Forum includes funds from the state budget; support from organizations and individuals; other lawful sources as prescribed by law.

Chapter III

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 14. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs

1. Organize the Central-level Children's Forum in cooperation with relevant ministries, agencies, and organizations every two years. Summarize and report to the Government on the reception and feedback of children's recommendations from ministries, agencies, and organizations related to the Central-level Children's Forum.

2. Guide, inspect, compile, and report on the organization of children's forums by localities.

Article 15. Responsibilities of the Provincial and District People's Committees

1. Direct the Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs agency to organize the provincial and district-level Children's Forums annually; compile, monitor, and report on the situation of receiving, responding to, and resolving children's recommendations after the forum.

2. Allocate funds to organize regular Children's Forums and send children to participate in higher-level Children's Forums.

Article 16. Responsibilities of Relevant Agencies and Organizations

Relevant agencies and organizations shall be responsible for coordinating with the Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs sector to organize the Children's Forum.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 17. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from February 9, 2015.

2. During implementation, if there are difficulties or obstacles, agencies and organizations shall submit their opinions to the Ministry of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs for timely guidance and supplementation./.