With the support of ChildFund and the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP), child delegates from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia took part in the 2019 Asian Children’s Summit in Bangkok in November. The summit focused on four main themes: violence against children; children’s rights and the environment; children’s rights in the digital environment; and children on the move.
The delegates – Phanomphone and Phoukhao, both age 16, from Laos; Cuong, age 13, from Vietnam; and Sotheavy, age 15, from Cambodia (pictured below) – were chosen to represent children in their countries because of their leadership skills and passion to make a difference to children’s lives in their communities.
The trip to Thailand was a unique opportunity for the
children to learn from, and collaborate with, other children from different
countries and cultures. It was also an opportunity for them to speak to leaders
about the problems that are affecting children in their countries, and possible
solutions to these issues.
Today marks the official start of Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan.
ChildFund is honoured to be World Rugby’s principal charity partner for the event and deeply appreciative of the support given by the global rugby family, and the attention being drawn to children’s needs in the region.
As one of the world’s biggest and most widely viewed
sporting events, Rugby World Cup 2019 will generate massive interest, showcase
elite athletes and present some of the world’s very best teams.
It will also be a reminder of the importance of children’s right to play and the transformative power that sport can have in the lives of children and young people – particularly those facing significant challenges.
In this 30th anniversary year of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, it is clear that far too many children still lack the rights and protections they need to survive and thrive. Many children live with disadvantage and widening inequality.
The work of ChildFund and others – especially the initiative of community members themselves – is vital in giving children education, healthcare, protection and opportunity.
Sport for development is one proven way to facilitate change
for disadvantaged youth in developing communities.
Through the unique and innovative partnership between World Rugby, Asia Rugby and ChildFund, children and young people are gaining important learning opportunities as well as the chance to take part in organised sport, often for the very first time.
Today, the ChildFund Pass It Back program has over 10,000
registered players and 500 coaches in four countries. It also has a 50% female
participation rate, and evaluations point to its effectiveness in driving
change in local communities.
Girls from poor households at risk of child marriage are
discovering new aspirations for themselves as peer support counsellors, small
business leaders and teachers of the future.
Boys forced to drop out from school are re-building their
confidence and setting up new livelihood opportunities.
In Asia, a continent home to 60% of the world’s youth,
ChildFund Pass It Back is helping build a new generation of leaders.
Tonight, as rugby fans everywhere celebrate the first day of
Rugby World Cup 2019, there is also
reason to cheer for this unique opportunity that will ‘pass it back’ and give
more children the chance to play, learn and grow.
ChildFund Australia would like to acknowledge the long-term support provided to ChildFund Pass It Back by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs. The Australian Aid program has allowed us to share the transformative benefits of sport with thousands of children living in disadvantaged communities in Asia.
