Bringing human rights closer to the younger generation.

We need to further strengthen external communication efforts regarding human rights among young people so that the future leaders of the country can raise their voices to fight for and build a more just and progressive society.

For Vietnam, raising awareness about human rights among young people through external communication is an urgent task. (Source: UNICEF Vietnam)

"The pioneering torch"

UNICEF's comprehensive report, released in response to Human Rights Day on December 10, 2021, highlighted lessons learned from over 150 assessments of youth programs, particularly regarding youth participation and human rights, to support the United Nations' youth strategy to 2030. The report emphasized the importance of engaging young people in human rights programs.

The report also points out that, when equipped with sufficient knowledge and skills, young people can lead revolutionary social initiatives, both at the local and global levels. This aligns with Vietnam's strategy of raising awareness of human rights among young people, enabling them to take the lead in protecting and promoting human rights, thereby spreading these values ​​internationally.

Strengthening external communication efforts on human rights among young people not only helps them better understand their own rights and responsibilities but also broadens their perspective on international standards. With an objective viewpoint, young people will be able to identify and fight against human rights violations in society, thereby becoming pioneering "torches" in protecting and promoting human rights in Vietnam.

Several international non- governmental organizations, such as UNICEF, are also actively implementing campaigns and programs to promote human rights. (Source: UNICEF Vietnam)

Therefore, external communication on human rights is not just about communication but also about creating an open dialogue space where young Vietnamese people can learn and exchange ideas with youth from other countries on human rights issues, contributing to promoting international cooperation. In particular, at international forums initiated by the UN, ASEAN, or non-governmental organizations, young Vietnamese people can bring fresh perspectives, representing a dynamic, knowledgeable, progressive, and integrated generation. Now, the younger generation is both a recipient of information and a sharer of experiences, contributing to international forums on human rights.

Young people are often at the forefront of social movements, from environmental protection and the fight for gender equality to promoting human rights. Public information campaigns on human rights help them better understand their role in protecting and promoting fundamental human rights; thus, encouraging them to actively participate in social activities, from defending the rights of vulnerable groups to promoting initiatives in the environment, education , and health.

Encouraging signs

Over the years, Vietnam has proactively participated in and closely cooperated with international human rights organizations such as the United Nations, ASEAN, and many non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Annual human rights dialogues between Vietnam and other countries, and the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) sessions of the UN Human Rights Council, have not only demonstrated Vietnam's commitment to human rights but also created an official channel for external communication, enabling young Vietnamese to easily access reliable and comprehensive information about human rights progress.

Vietnam also strongly applies digital technology and social media to promote external communication on human rights. Government websites such as the Vietnam Foreign Affairs Portal, Nhan Dan Newspaper , and national television channels like VTV4 have developed many in-depth sections and programs on human rights and international human rights issues in various languages. Social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram , and Zalo are also widely used to implement numerous communication campaigns on human rights.

Students from Nguyen Sieu School (Hanoi) organized a Model United Nations conference. (Source: Nguyen Sieu School)

In the field of education, human rights content is partially integrated into curricula and extracurricular activities from secondary school to university. Universities and non-governmental organizations in the country organize numerous programs, competitions, and events to encourage students to research and express their views on human rights issues. For example, the Model UN competition helps Vietnamese students access and learn more about the UN's human rights protection mechanisms, while also developing their debating and problem-solving skills.

Vietnam has also implemented numerous cooperation projects with international organizations to raise awareness of human rights among young people. Organizations such as UNICEF, UNDP, and UN Women have collaborated with many domestic organizations to implement training programs, communication campaigns, and workshops to help young people better understand human rights, especially the rights of children and women.

In particular, the participation of young people in human rights protection campaigns, especially through social movements and community awareness campaigns, cannot be overlooked. Many young people have become social activists, actively participating in projects such as "We are Able," implemented by UNICEF in Vietnam, conveying messages about gender equality and inclusion to the community. Through these activities, not only young people but also the international community gain a more comprehensive understanding of Vietnam's efforts in ensuring human rights.

Promotional solutions

In today's digital age, social media is one of the most effective tools for reaching young people. Therefore, external communication efforts regarding human rights need to utilize popular platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok to effectively convey the message.

Human rights communication campaigns should also be designed to be engaging and easy to understand, incorporating images, videos, and interactive content to attract the attention of young people. Additionally, when implementing communication campaigns, ministries and departments can actively invite KOLs and influencers to participate in order to create a stronger ripple effect.

Members of the media company Schannel posted photos in support of the Happy Vietnam 2024 campaign. (Screenshot)

Furthermore, human rights education should be more integrated into curricula at the lower secondary, upper secondary, and university levels. At the workshop "Experiences in Human Rights Education in Secondary Education" held on December 31, 2019, organized by the Steering Committee of the Human Rights Education Project in collaboration with the Faculty of Political Theory and Civic Education, Hanoi Pedagogical University, delegates unanimously agreed that integrating human rights into the curriculum should be done step-by-step, with a clear roadmap.

Furthermore, if human rights issues are to be included in the secondary school curriculum, they must be easy to read, easy to learn, easy to understand, appropriate for each age group and region across the country, and should also allow for the development of creative, youth-friendly learning materials such as videos and infographics to make the content more engaging and understandable.

In his article "Human Rights Education for Youth Adapting to the New Context," Dr. Le Xuan Tung, former member of the Politburo of the 8th Party Congress, argues that it is necessary to strengthen international cooperation and seek the support of the international community and international organizations (especially the UN) to implement human rights education for Vietnamese youth. International support in terms of budget and expertise, combined with the nation's internal strength, will contribute to promoting human rights education for the younger generation to achieve the highest effectiveness.

In summary, promoting external communication about human rights to young people is not only the task of relevant agencies but also the responsibility of the entire society. Young people are the pioneering force in absorbing and spreading human rights values, not only domestically but also globally. Therefore, specific and effective strategies and actions are needed to ensure that Vietnamese youth can understand, respect, and actively participate in protecting human rights.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/dua-quyen-con-nguoi-den-gan-hon-voi-the-he-tre-290329.html