Writing contest on child labourers officially launched

June 10, 2019 | 16:58

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Aiming to boost media activities on preventing child labour – a leading global issue – the Vietnam Journalists Association, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs' (MoLISA) Department of Children organised a writing contest with the topic “Preventing child labour”.

writing contest on child labourers officially launched

The launching event of the writing contest on child labourers on June 10

On June 10, the writing contest for journalists was officially launched with the attendance of many reporters and representatives of the ILO, MoLISA, and others.

Speaking at the launch, Mai Duc Loc, vice chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association, stated that child-related issues gather huge interest in society, especially child labour. “The media needs to be more deeply involved to help resolve child-related issues, specifically by protecting them from rough or dangerous labour,” Mai emphasised.

There are currently about 168 million child labourers in the world, 85 million of whom work in dangerous areas. The number has been increasing over the past few years, according to Valentina Barcucci, deputy director of the ILO. The majority of child labourers have been working in unofficial areas with a high risk of accidents and substandard working environments like harsh weather conditions, noxious environment, and outdoors. These working environments carry high injury risk and prevent children's physical and mental development.

The writing contest is expected to enhance local awareness of child-related issues to encourage public discourse and discover solutions.

The organisation board stated that the writing contest is open from June 10 to August 31. The closing ceremony will be organised in October or November.

Attendees can send their work in under the forms of printed or online newspaper articles, or other multimedia coverage. In addition, the works have to be published in January 1, 2018-August 31, 2019.

Entries can be sent in via post or email to the address: the Vietnam Journalists Association – Centre for Media Training, 6th floor, the Vietnam Journalists Association Building, Duong Dinh Nghe Street, Cau Giay district, Hanoi; Email: vananh.vjtc@gmail.com

By Hoang Van

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