Child protection summit advances professional practice in Vietnam

Child protection summit advances professional practice in Vietnam

Vietnam Child Protection & Safeguarding Summit 2024 enhanced child protection and wellbeing by fostering safeguarding practices among various stakeholders in Vietnam.

Co-hosted by RMIT Vietnam, AmCham Vietnam—HCMC and Saigon International Schools Network, the one-day event aimed at raising awareness, sharing best practices and fostering collaboration on child protection in Vietnam, attracted more than 450 participants from various sectors and organisations.

The summit featured six keynote speakers and 25 breakout sessions, covering a range of topics related to child protection and wellbeing, such as cyberbullying, physical abuse, family violence, safeguarding standards, and mental health. The participants had the chance to learn from experts, exchange experiences and network with peers committed to creating a safer environment for children and young adults.

Alt Text is not present for this image, Taking dc:title 'news-1-child-protection-summit-advances-professional-practice-in-vietnam' Dr Catriona Moran, the Head of Saigon South International School and one of the co-hosts of Vietnam Child Protection & Safeguarding Summit 2024

Dr Catriona Moran, the Head of Saigon South International School and one of the co-hosts of the summit, said in her opening speech: "We are here because we want the children in our care to have a happy childhood and the opportunity to grow up to become the best versions of themselves. We must do all that we can to safeguard and protect them, so safeguarding and child protection concepts will underpin all of our conversations today.

“Our ultimate aim as a community is to ensure that safeguarding cultures and the climate of safety are built within organisations, and that we promote prevention and enable early intervention if abuse and neglect are recognised.

“We know from experience that this can be achieved through child-centred practices that include safe recruitment of staff, implementing child protection policies and procedures, and adhering to them, working in accordance with safeguarding codes of conduct, regular training and ensuring that children have a voice when it comes to their safety and wellbeing.”

Alt Text is not present for this image, Taking dc:title 'news-2-child-protection-summit-advances-professional-practice-in-vietnam' Associate Director of Wellbeing RMIT Vietnam Michael Tower (left) and Country Director of Hagar International in Vietnam Giang Thi Thu Thuy (right)

Associate Director of Wellbeing from RMIT Vietnam, Michael Tower said, “the first principle of the University’s Vietnam Country Commitment is to focus on community engagement that makes a difference. The Summit is an example of how RMIT Vietnam aims to support the community with quality professional development and networking that enhance our capacity to support children and families.” 

A clinical social worker with experience working in the US, Nepal and Vietnam, Mr Tower has found that safeguarding work is challenging.

“Safeguarding requires policy development, training, case handling, prevention efforts, as well as crisis response.

“To handle safeguarding cases in Vietnam, I've worked with doctors, counsellors, teachers, school leaders, consulate staff, and lawyers, and no matter how long I've been at this work, I still find the need to regularly reach out to colleagues for guidance and support,” he said.

Mr Tower hoped that through the informative presentations and a diverse group of attendees from schools, universities, hospitals, mental health clinics, consulates and NGO's, participants could expand their network and share their expertise.

Alt Text is not present for this image, Taking dc:title 'news-3-child-protection-summit-advances-professional-practice-in-vietnam' The participants had the chance to learn from experts, exchange experiences and network with peers committed to creating a safer environment for children and young adults.

Mr Tower also announced the establishment of IMPACT, a new wellbeing professional network sponsored by RMIT Vietnam. Its mission is to support the evolving needs of wellbeing professionals in Vietnam through professional development, networking and resource sharing.

Country Director of Hagar International in Vietnam, Ms Giang Thi Thu Thuy appreciated the expertise and networks that the summit provided to her and other participants.

A presenter herself with a talk on preventing re-traumatisation for children affected by sexual abuse, Ms Thuy hoped to bring a different perspective to the audiences and looked forward to gaining alternative approaches to what her organisation is doing to support victims, especially women and children affected by abuse, violence and human trafficking with a trauma-informed approach.

Story: Ha Hoang

04 March 2024

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