Addressing the event, State Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan said the establishment of the Vietnam Association for Protection of Children’s Rights (VAPCR) demonstrates individuals and organisations’ concerted efforts to help children enjoy their fundamental rights.

Resident Representative of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Jesper Morch said the inception of VAPCR reiterates Vietnam’s strong commitment to caring for and protecting children.

Lauding the country’s child protection and care efforts, Morch announced that UNICEF will continue to support Vietnam in executing and overseeing the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The same day, the VAPCR held its first congress, electing Dr. Tran Thi Thanh Thanh, former Minister and Chairwoman of the Committee for Protection and Care of Vietnamese Children, as its President.

At the congress, a club called “Connecting Children” was set up with 30 members, mostly students and young people. The club will undertake communicational and educational activities for the VAPCR.

Children under 14 years old account for 26.4 percent of the country’s population.