Hanoi Convention: Empowering youth to shape the digital future

Công ước Hà Nội: Trao quyền cho thanh niên định hình tương lai số

Overview of the discussion session on 'United Nations Convention against Cybercrime against and for Youth'. (Photo: Jackie Chan)

The discussion session was attended by the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, Pauline Tamesis, and led by the Director of Gen Zero and Pioneer Member of the Digital Trust Alliance under the Ministry of National Defense , Miss Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc.

The panelists included international experts, government representatives and prominent youth, such as the representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Jordi Martin Domingo, the Canadian High Commissioner Frédéric Margotton, and two Vietnamese youth representatives: Huynh Duy Thong from RMIT University, founder of MigPedia - an AI application to prevent fraud and support safe migration, and Nguyen Quoc Anh, CEO of IT'S T TIME - who built a "Digital First Aid Kit" to help the young transgender community deal with cybercrime.

United Nations Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Pauline Tamesis speaks at the event. (Photo: Jackie Chan)

Call to action from the Hanoi Convention

Speaking at the opening session, UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Pauline Tamesis highlighted the significance of the Hanoi Convention - the first global legal document on cybercrime adopted within the framework of the United Nations in more than two decades.

Ms. Pauline Tamesis emphasized the important role of prevention in the fight against cybercrime. More than a legal instrument, the Convention is a blueprint for international cooperation in combating cybercrime. It equips signatories with tools to prevent, investigate and prosecute cybercrime, and promotes cooperation between governments, organizations, businesses and civil society.

"The United Nations calls for the full and effective implementation of the Hanoi Convention in accordance with international human rights obligations. The Convention promotes a safe, inclusive and responsible digital space and calls for multi-sectoral cooperation to build trust online - key to a digital transformation that leaves no one behind," the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Vietnam emphasized.

Pointing out that half the world’s population is under 30, Ms. Pauline Tamesis said that young people are not only the main users of digital platforms but also at high risk of being targeted by cybercriminals. Young people are also agents of change, driving advocacy, awareness-raising and innovative solutions for online safety and human rights in the digital age. For young people, the online space is not separate from reality – it is reality. Therefore, ensuring meaningful and safe participation of young people in shaping responses to cybercrime is essential.

“Although adolescents are not explicitly mentioned in the Convention, the objective of the Convention is to ensure a safe and resilient digital future. We, the United Nations in Viet Nam, see this event as an opportunity to start an important dialogue: how do we empower adolescents to become digital citizens? How do we equip them with the knowledge and skills to protect themselves and others from cybercrime? And how do we create space for them to innovate, freely express themselves and shape the digital future?”, said Ms. Pauline Tamesis.

The theme of the Session “United Nations Convention against Cybercrime against and for Youth” means ensuring that young people feel safe and free online – free to express themselves, free to create and free to develop. This means recognizing young people as potential leaders.

“Let this Convention be not just a legal instrument but also a call to action. A call to build a digital world that is safe, inclusive and empowering for all – especially for our young people,” concluded the UN Resident Coordinator in Viet Nam.

Miss Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc emphasized the purpose and meaning of the discussion session. (Photo: Thanh Long)

Speaking at the event, Miss Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc sent the message: "We are here not only to talk about cybercrime, but also to redefine the concept of 'trust and safety' in the digital age." In the online world, where people are more connected than ever, young people are the most dynamic, creative but also the most vulnerable group. She emphasized that this paradox is not a weakness, but a source of strength for the young generation to become pioneers in creating a safer, more civilized and humane cyberspace.

According to Bao Ngoc, when it comes to cybercrime, it is no longer a distant story, but a very real problem for young people such as: online fraud, identity theft, non-consensual dissemination of private content, or acts of privacy infringement. Therefore, the Discussion Session was organized to find preventive solutions, share international experiences and raise awareness of digital safety for young people.

UNODC representative Jordi Martin Domingo points out provisions related to youth rights in the Hanoi Convention. (Source: IOM)

During the discussion, UNODC representative Jordi Martin Domingo pointed out the provisions related to the rights of young people in the Hanoi Convention: the exposure of young people to cybercrime and related preventive measures (Article 53), as well as protective measures, focusing on crimes under the Hanoi Convention affecting young people - unauthorized access (Article 7), data interference (Article 9), theft and fraud (Article 13), and misuse of private images (Article 16). Taking the perspective of young people as a focus, Mr. Jordi Martin Domingo said that the promotion of the Hanoi Convention and the Global Digital Compact (GDC) will move towards a safer and more inclusive cyberspace.

Through the speakers’ sharing, the discussion contributed to raising awareness of information and communication technology crimes affecting young people and advocating for the implementation of the Hanoi Convention and GDC. International speakers and Vietnamese youth speakers also shared policies and technologies for prevention and protection, promoting equality and non-discrimination.

The session concluded with a strong consensus on the need to empower young people to become digital citizens and change agents – demonstrating their contributions while ensuring safe and inclusive participation in the digital future.

The discussion session is part of the signing ceremony and high-level meeting of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime. (Photo: Jackie Chan)

The force to create a safe and humane cyberspace

Sharing with The Gioi and Viet Nam Newspaper at the event, Huynh Duy Thong, a student at RMIT University, a member of the "Youth Core" group of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Gen Zi Cu Project on promoting safe migration and preventing human trafficking, introduced in detail the MigPedia initiative - a digital platform developed by youth, to help young Vietnamese people migrate safely, legally and with reliable information. The application provides tools such as Mig-AI for virtual consultation, Mig-Folder for document management, and Mig-Edu for learning about digital and legal skills before going abroad.

What motivated Duy Thong and his group of friends to launch the initiative were real stories of young people being scammed online, exploited while studying abroad or working abroad. Duy Thong and his friends believe that only when young people are equipped with knowledge and their own voice can they stop sophisticated forms of human trafficking in the digital age.

According to a member of the IOM's "Youth Core" group, the Hanoi Convention is a historic milestone in the global effort to protect people in cyberspace, especially the young generation.

"For the generation born and raised with the Internet - the digital space is not only a place to study, work, and create, but also has many potential risks. This Convention not only helps build a global legal framework to fight cybercrime, but also affirms that the right to be safe and respected online is a fundamental right of every digital citizen. I believe that the greatest significance of the Hanoi Convention lies in giving young people confidence and responsibility - believing that the voice of young people can contribute to shaping policies, and the responsibility to behave ethically, knowing how to protect themselves and the community in the online world," Duy Thong emphasized.

Huynh Duy Thong, a student at RMIT University, a member of the IOM's "Youth Core" group and the Gen Zi Cu Project on promoting safe migration and preventing human trafficking. (Source: IOM)

Looking towards a digital future full of opportunities but also many challenges, Duy Thong believes that Vietnamese youth can absolutely become “creators” and not just “users” of cyberspace. Youth can develop more humane technology, spread critical thinking and support each other in identifying and reporting abusive behaviors online.

"More importantly, every young person – whether a student, a student or a programmer – can contribute to building a safe digital future with a small action every day: sharing the right information, protecting the privacy of others and spreading a culture of respect in the online world," a member of the IOM "Youth Core" group called.