On the morning of September 23, the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, in cooperation with the Central Committee of the Youth Pioneer Council and the Office of the National Assembly, held an information session about the upcoming mock session of the "Children's Parliament" set to take place in 2024.

The event will provide a platform for students to step into the roles of ministers, National Assembly Chairperson, and deputies to engage in debate and question-answer sessions on important societal issues.

The "Children's Parliament" serves as a forum where young people can express their thoughts, wishes, and dreams. It also aims to foster political awareness, inspiring children to have big aspirations and develop a strong sense of civic responsibility.

This event represents a new model that promotes children's right to participate in issues relevant to them in a manner that is appropriate to their psychology and abilities.

It provides a space for children to enhance their skills, present their ideas, and engage in the decision-making process on issues directly affecting them. The experience also allows students to learn about the highest legislative body of the state.

Nguyen Pham Duy Trang, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Youth Union and Chairperson of the Youth Pioneer Council, explained the structure and goals of the 2024 mock session.

Scheduled from September 27 to 29 in Hanoi, the event will gather 306 young participants from across the country, including both ethnic majority and minority groups. The participants will take on the roles of National Assembly deputies, debating on key issues such as school violence and the dangers of drugs and stimulants in educational environments.

The event will begin with the mock assembly's opening ceremony on the morning of September 28, followed by discussions on the afternoon of the same day. It will join 12 groups to discuss two main topics: "Preventing School Violence" and "Combating the Harmful Effects of Drugs and Stimulants, Especially in Schools."

On September 29, the assembly will move to the Dien Hong Hall at the National Assembly building, where students will participate in a Q&A session, addressing questions posed by their peers about these pressing issues. During this session, the children will act as key government leaders, representing the concerns of young voters from their local communities.

At the conclusion of the session, the students will draft and approve a Resolution, which will reflect their collective voice on the issues discussed. This resolution will be treated as a formal report, representing the unique perspectives of young voters across Vietnam.

Chairman of the National Assembly, Tran Thanh Man, will attend the session and deliver remarks to the participants. The event will also see the participation of other key leaders from the Party, the State, and various Government agencies.

In a significant move, this year's mock session will include a unique feature: after each round of questioning on specific topics, the Ministers of Education and Health will directly answer the children's questions.

Nguyen Pham Duy Trang emphasized, "This approach will allow us to showcase two perspectives: how children themselves propose solutions to these issues and how the actual ministries are addressing them."

The "Children's Parliament" is part of the government’s effort to implement the Children’s Law of 2016 and is aligned with the national action plan for children for the period 2021-2030. It is also a key initiative within the broader project aimed at enhancing children's participation in decision-making processes from 2023 to 2027.

Thanh Hung