Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad, in a message yesterday in conjunction with World Children’s Day 2024 celebration, outlined the Sultanate’s efforts to protect children’s rights and the achievements made by children in the country.
The minister said, “We celebrate World Children’s Day every November 20 set by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in 1954.
“The date is taken in conjunction with the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959 and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on November 20, 1989.
“This year is the 18th celebration of World Children’s Day in Brunei Darussalam with the theme ‘For every child, every right’.
“World Children’s Day is an opportunity for all of us to fight for children’s rights such as safety, education, health, protection and play, as well as raising awareness of the challenges faced by children around us and also throughout the world.
“The CRC emphasises the imperative need to ensure the best interests of children in all decisions affecting them, to protect them from abuse and exploitation, and to promote their participation in community affairs.
“The highlight of the 18th World Children’s Day celebration is ‘Voices of Children: A workshop entitled Empowering Children to Participate: Children’s Rights and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)’ on November 25.
“The event aims to educate the participants, consisting of students under the age of 17, including children with disabilities, about children’s rights and the SDGs, inspire empathy, encourage advocacy and action, foster collaboration and creativity, and celebrate success to drive meaningful changes within the community.
“Among the nation’s efforts to protect children’s rights is through the National Action Plan on the Welfare of Children, under the Majlis Kebangsaan Isu Sosial (MKIS).
The action plan maps out strategies and the steps needed to achieve goals or objectives that ensure the well-being and welfare of children continue to be cared for with the cooperation and integrated commitment of the relevant agencies through a whole-of-nation approach from the government; non-government and grassroots communities, through the strengthening of their families.
“In addition, various committees and platforms which include members from government and non-government sectors also exist to discuss children’s social issues. Various services are also provided, including a social security network to guarantee their social, emotional, educational, health and safety well-being.”
The minister also highlighted two of the most significant committees, the Komiti Penjagaan Kanak-kanak (KPK) comprising members from various enforcement agencies to discuss cases of children needing immediate protection; and the Action Team for Child Protection (ATOCP) which has jurisdiction to develop and identify child protection plans for child cases discussed within the Child Protection Committee.
The Community Development Department (JAPEM), he added, “has also increased efforts in strengthening Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) by improving Child Care Centre Guidelines to ensure childcare centres provide quality child care and to ensure children’s safety remains guaranteed.
“Efforts continue to be implemented to strengthen capacity building and support for child welfare enforcement agency workers.
“This includes the participation of social work officers, medical social workers, and community development officers in various training courses. Among the courses held recently is the SSI course in collaboration with the Singapore National Council of Social Service (NCSS), where officers are trained in child safety planning and practices.”
In terms of achievements, the minister said, “Alhamdulillah, the children and youth of this country have gained significant accomplishments and has made the country proud in various aspects, including sports.
“This year alone, we were overjoyed when our young people were able to reap numerous medals in various international competitions, such as the Little Warriors Invitational Judo Tournament 2024, the 9th World Junior Wushu Championships, and the 21st Malaysian Games (SUKMA XXI). We were also proud by the impressive debut of two young Brunei Olympic athletes, who were 16 and 17-year-old, at the Paris Olympics this year.”
Integrated efforts in various aspects are greatly appreciated and need to be continued to ensure the well-being of children continues to be cared for, he said.
Among the programmes that have been implemented and is related to the theme of World Children’s Day this year is the Bootcamp Programme by the Department of Special Education for Students with Special Needs (JPK), which started on September 7 and completed yesterday, to educate students on entrepreneurship and innovation and give them the opportunity to showcase their abilities and creativity in producing marketable products.
The programme also emphasises inclusion and diversity, as well as fostering entrepreneurial thinking to promote independence during and for future employment.
The JAPEM, he said, “has also organised awareness talks through the GINIS programme to schools in Brunei to educate children on their rights and how to protect themselves from potential harm.”
Meanwhile, the Department of Schools (JSS) has also executed the Hybrid School programme to improve the learning status and increase students’ access to education for two remote schools in Seria; Dato Maharaja Setia Dian Sukang Primary School and Melilas Primary School, by practicing and combining face-to-face teaching and learning with online teaching and learning.
The impact of the programme includes increasing the information communications technology competence of students and teachers, and increasing the diversity of teaching and learning methods.
Children in the country, he added, “are also exposed to various trainings for self-development, both within the country and overseas.
“Last August, several students including children with disabilities had the opportunity to participate in ‘The 8th ASEAN Children’s Forum 2024’; a platform for ASEAN children to share their views and ideas on current issues, and this year the main discussion centred on climate crisis that is increasingly and significantly threatening the safety and well-being of children around the world”.
The minister said, “Let us not forget also about the challenges faced by our brothers and sisters in Palestine, where the ongoing conflict has adversely affected the lives of countless children, denying them many of their rights that should be protected and cared for.
“We can extend help to Palestinian children and help protect their rights by donating to the Humanitarian Fund for Palestinians in Gaza 2023 which has been granted an extension in its collection period until April 18, 2025.
Before concluding his message, the minister said, “With abundant prayers and a call for the whole community to care and love our children, I am elated to greet ‘Happy World Children’s Day’ to all the children in Brunei.” – James Kon
