“One of the key recommendations we collectively brainstormed and developed as a measure to address domestic violence, particularly concerning children from divorced families, is to conduct a comprehensive household survey. This survey would specifically focus on the number of families undergoing separation or divorce, providing a detailed database to inform targeted development planning. Following our group representative’s presentation of this proposal, the Director-General of the Department of Women’s Affairs and Family Development expressed her support for this recommendation as a means to enhance child protection measures within the family. She further emphasised her commitment to developing and implementing these measures.”
Nalinthip, World Vision Thailand youth leader from Nakhon Si Thammarat, proudly shared the above statement. She also added: “Besides the wonderful experience of meeting new friends, learning how to co-exist and do activities together, and gaining knowledge about shelters for children, which are government mechanisms for helping children and youth, participating in the 35th Children’s Rights Forum has made me understand the true meaning of meaningful child and youth participation. The fact that our suggestions for policy changes and measures have been accepted and will be implemented further solidifies this understanding.”
The 35th Children’s Rights Forum, was organised by The Children and Youth Council of Thailand in collaboration with Department of Children and Youth, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security from November 22 – 24, 2024 under the theme ‘Safe Zone for Every Child’. Children and youth councils nationwide played a pivotal role in initiating, planning, coordinating, and executing this significant event. Approximately 105 child and youth representatives from diverse groups across the country participated. Three World Vision youth leaders were selected to attend this forum: Nalinthip from Nakhon Si Thammarat and Sopha and Kayarat from Phetchaburi, representing the Ton-kla Indigenous Children and the World Vision youth leader network.
The 35th Children’s Rights Forum was inaugurated by Mr Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Social Development and Human Security, and was also joined by Mr. Anukul Peedkaew, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Mrs Apinya Chompumas, Director-General of the Department of Children and Youth, Mrs Pinya Chamroonsart, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Children and Youth, Miss Wassana Kaonoparat, President of CRC Coalition Thailand, Mr. Kriengkrai Chaimuangdee, the representative of Lanna CRC Network, along with other representatives from government agencies and civil society sector, including Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Education, Department of Religious Affairs, Department of Mental Health, Department of Climate Change and Environment, Lanna CRC Network, World Vision Thailand, Save the Children (Thailand), Childline Thailand Foundation 1387, Plan International, SOS Children’s Villages Thailand, Internet Foundation for the Development of Thailand.
Beyond child and youth participation activities, civil society organisations, academic institutions and UNICEF Thailand have jointly organised educational activities and exhibitions. Moreover, they have supported experts from the Child Rights Coalition Thailand to facilitate a process of brainstorming to create a child-safe environment and develop recommendations for child protection measures. Miss Suchitta Kengtanyagarn, Learning & Innovation Coordinator at World Vision Thailand, served as a facilitator in this process, guiding the youth representatives who participated in the event. This significant activity aimed to empower young voices to express their concerns and needs and propose solutions.
“I learned about children’s rights and listened to a special speech by Minister Varawut Silpa-archa on creating safe spaces for children in all aspects. My friends and I were divided into groups based on our interests and brainstormed ideas for creating a safe environment for children. Kayarat and I were particularly interested in online violence, which is a common occurrence in my daily life, especially bullying on social media. I believe that the government and private sector should work together to develop a system that enhances online and social media safety by detecting and removing bullying messages and harmful content as much as possible, or ideally eliminating them,” said Sopha, from Phetchaburi, a representative from the Ton-kla Indigenous Children and a World Vision youth leader.
Kayarat, from Phetchaburi, a representative from the Ton-kla Indigenous Children and a World Vision youth leader, who share the same interest in online violence, added:
“To create a safe space for children in all aspects, we must address various forms of violence, including school violence, domestic violence, violence within religious and cultural institutions, online violence, street violence, and violence related to natural disasters. Children and youth must learn to protect themselves from various online risks such as luring and scams. Additionally, we need stricter regulations on applications that allow users to bully, harass, lure, or deceive people online.”
The 35th Children’s Rights Forum is a meaningful engagement of children and youth… The Children and Youth Council of Thailand initiated, planned, and determined the details of the event, including its implementation. Youth representatives from across the country participated, sharing their thoughts and brainstorming to create a safe space for children in all aspects. Adults, representing government agencies, private sectors, and civil society, were open to listening to the voices of children and youth and committed to incorporating their valuable recommendations into policy implementation.
