Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - UNICEF marks World Children’s Day

UNICEF marks World Children’s Day

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
World Children's Day events organised by UNICEF Cambodia on November 18. UNICEF CAMBODIA

UNICEF marks World Children’s Day

World Children’s Day is celebrated annually on November 20 children’s rights. UNICEF Cambodia observed this event on November 18 with an event which brought together children, young people and supporters, senior figures from the government, influencers, representatives and entrepreneurs from the development and diplomatic community.

The event is focused on children and young people who are helping create a more equal and inclusive world. It also shone a spotlight on the young leaders of Generation Future, a UNICEF initiative which has reached more than 2,000 children and young people this year.

Many notable public figures attended the event, such as Samheng Boros, secretary of state at the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth; Put Samith, director-general at the Ministry of Education; Joseph Scheuer, UN resident coordinator in Cambodia and Anirban Chatterjee, UNICEF’s acting representative in Cambodia.

Also attending the event is Thierry Chantha Bin, the Cambodian national footballer who led football activities with the young people in attendance. They were also entertained with musical performances by musicians Nikki Nikki and Sang Sok Serey.

Put Samith said he was pleased to be at the event each year on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport.

“This event is important and meaningful in encouraging children’s ideas and ambitions, and promoting young people’s confidence and hope for a better future through access to good-quality education and support. The ministry supports the initiative as prioritized in the Education Road Map 2030, the five-year strategic plan and the annual executive plan to invest in education for young people,” he said.

Joseph Scheuer, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Cambodia, said that World Children’s Day is important because it is impossible to build a sustainable future without involving the people who are in fact going to live in that future.

“Everyone at the United Nations strongly supports young people participating in all aspects of the country’s development. We must encourage young people’s actions and give them the tools to meet the challenges. Generation Future is an example of an initiative which has built an ecosystem around the bright ideas of promising young people,” he said.

Noppon Chhim, 19, who leads a Generation Future project promoting greater equality in youth employment, said that the day is special as it gives young people a platform to speak out about what they value most and want to see change.

“I am honoured, excited and humbled to be given this opportunity to be a voice for young people, and to highlight opportunities for us all to work together to address challenges and help develop Cambodia’s youth. I believe children should be involved in shaping the future even when young, so they can develop the necessary skills and experience to become future leaders,” he said.

Last year, to celebrate World Children’s Day, UNICEF unveiled the pilot of Generation Future, with 13 projects tackling a range of important issues. These campaigns reached thousands of young Cambodians and most continue to this day.

MOST VIEWED

  • Ministry taking steps over Thai ‘replica’ of Angkor Wat

    The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has dispatched experts to inspect the ongoing construction of a temple in Wat Phu Man Fah, located in Thailand’s Buriram province. This temple appears to be a replica of Cambodia’s renowned Angkor Wat. The ministry said

  • Ream base allegations must end, urges official

    A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical

  • PM to open new Siem Reap int’l airport December 1

    Prime Minister Hun Manet and Chinese leaders would jointly participate in the official opening of the new Chinese-invested Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport on December 1. The airport symbolises a new page in the history of Cambodian aviation, which will be able to welcome long-distance flights to

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • Minimum wage set at $204, after Sep 28 vote

    The minimum wage for factory workers in the garment, footwear and travel goods industries for 2024 has been decided at $204 per month, with the government contributing $2. Following several negotiation sessions, the tripartite talks reached an agreement during a September 28 vote, with 46 of 51 votes supporting the $202 figure.

  • Thavisin touches down in Phnom Penh for first official visit to an ASEAN member state

    Thailand's newly appointed prime minister Srettha Thavisin has arrived in Cambodia for a one-day visit. The trip marks his first visit to an ASEAN country since taking office and aims to enhance bilateral trade and investment. According to the agenda, Thavisin is scheduled to hold