1   From 6-8 June 2012, 36 young delegates, aged 12-18 years, from 10 ASEAN member states will gather at the NUS University Town for the biennial ASEAN Children’s Forum (ACF). They include delegates with special needs, as well as representatives from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC).

2   Organised by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) and Singapore Children’s Society (SCS), this year’s Forum features the theme “Empowering children by promoting their rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).” The theme encapsulates the hope that ASEAN children and youth can take greater ownership of issues affecting them, and be empowered to serve as advocates of change in their respective countries.

3   Through a series of workshops, the young delegates will come up with ideas on how their governments and communities can better support the interest and development of children. These ideas will be presented to Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Madam Halimah Yacob, at the Forum. Several presentations are also lined up where delegates will learn about the development and progress of children in the ASEAN region.

4   Minister of State Mdm Halimah Yacob said, “The Forum is a significant platform for the discussion of children issues in the region. It provides an opportunity for ASEAN children and youth to not only discuss matters close to their hearts, but also to work together. It also gives ASEAN countries an opportunity to hear from our children and youth, who will be our leaders tomorrow.”

5   Leading up to the ACF, a badge design competition was organised for children aged 12-18 years to educate them on the UNCRC principles. More than 150 designs based on the four core principles of the UNCRC were received. The winning entries were printed on badges and other collaterals such as T-shirts for the delegates.

6   Singapore Children’s Society, which celebrates its 60th Anniversary this year, is pleased to co-host the event as it shares the belief that the views of children should be heard. “Children should be empowered to better their circumstances. Singapore Children’s Society firmly believes that their voices should be heeded, and the ACF is the appropriate platform for them to formulate proposals for the betterment of their peers,” said Mr Koh Choon Hui, Chairman of Singapore Children’s Society and the Singapore Government Representative for children’s rights on the ACWC.

ISSUED BY

MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, YOUTH AND SPORTS
&
SINGAPORE CHILDREN’S SOCIETY


FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT:

Mr Tan Ping Yang
Singapore Children’s Society
DID: 6274 9380
Email: pytan@childrensociety.org.sg

Mr Kenny Chua
Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports
DID: 6354 9840
Email: Kenny_CHUA@mcys.gov.sg