| Ishan Ibrahim |
THE Brunei Council on Social Welfare (MKM) yesterday hosted a National Children’s Forum at the StarLodge in Jerudong themed ‘In Pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals: Leave No Children Behind’.
The programme was intended to raise awareness among children in the Sultanate about specific goals for their well-being as well as promoting the protection of children’s rights.
The event was attended by Mark Dieker, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the United States of America in Brunei Darussalam; Phenny Kakama and Graham Adrian from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF); MKM executives, and senior government officers.
A total of 125 children and youths from all four districts attended the forum.
In her speech, MKM President Datin Paduka Hajah Intan binti Haji Mohd Kassim upheld principles in the development of youths as an ‘utmost important investment’ in building the country’s future.
Some of the forum’s participants in a group photo yesterday at StarLodge in Jerudong. – ISHAN IBRAHIM
Furthermore, she outlined the forum’s objectives, which included a platform for participants to express their views on how such rights could be promoted and protected in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of Children.
Also up for discussions was the children’s advocacy of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address a wide range of social needs.
“SDGs, a global agenda, seek to end poverty, achieve gender quality and ensure food security throughout the world by 2030,” explained Datin Paduka Hajah Intan.
“There are 17 universal goals that will guide development for the next 13 years in areas of critical importance to people globally.
“The goals will strive to meet people’s aspirations for a more peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future with countries striving to end poverty and hunger, promote healthy lives and well-being for everyone, reduce inequalities, build just and inclusive societies, combat climate change, and protect the planet and its natural resources.”
The programme yesterday also covered UNICEF’s identification of 11 issues that are related to the well-being of children.
Mark Dieker remarked in his address, “Young people at the forum are given the opportunity to increase their understanding of SDGs to voice their opinions, and to share ideas about what they can do to achieve sustainable development in the country.”
Dieker also stated the US Embassy’s advocacy of efforts made by MKM, and the forum in general.
“The US Embassy is committed to working together with active civil society organisations and non-government organisations (NGOs) to implement innovative initiatives that support our shared values, such as civic education, empowering youth, engagement in culture and the arts, and the development of civil society,” he highlighted.
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