By Yusrin Junaidi –
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, NOV 25 – A total of 60 Year 9 and 10 students from nine secondary schools and colleges attended the Workshop this afternoon Voices of Children entitled Empowering Children to Participate: Children’s Rights and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) held at Dewan Digadong, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (KKBS) Building.
Present as the guest of honor and completing the presentation of certificates to the participants of the workshop was the Member of the National Assembly, Yang Berhormat Hajah Rosmawatty binti Haji Abdul Mumin.
Also present were the Permanent Secretary (Community), KKBS, Hajah Nor Ashikin binti Haji Johari; senior officials from KKBS and partner organizations.
According to the statement, the workshop conducted by Dayang Nurul Hadina binti Haji Alias from MyActionforSDGs as the main facilitator is part of the global celebration of World Children’s Day 2024, the Department of Community Development (JAPEM) in collaboration with government agencies, private agencies and associations not the government.
Among other things, the purpose of the workshop is to educate participants about children’s rights and the SDGs, inspire empathy, encourage advocacy and action, foster collaboration and creativity, and celebrate success to drive meaningful change in the community.
In addition, in an effort to strengthen discussion and knowledge sharing, two presenters consisted of the Special Duties Officer from the Brunei Vision Office, Awang Muhammad Adi Safwan bin Haji Dullah; Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam to ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (Children’s Affairs), Dato Paduka Dr Haji Omar bin Haji Khalid, was invited to give a briefing and discuss related topics.
Awang Muhammad Adi Safwan shared about the Brunei Darussalam Vision 2035 with a special focus on integration to the 17 sustainable development goals (SDG).
He also emphasized its importance in guiding the country’s progress towards a sustainable and inclusive future.
Next, Dato Paduka Dr Haji Omar explained the core principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. He also highlighted how the principles align with and support the goals of sustainable development, ensuring the protection and empowerment of children is essential to achieving the SDGs.
The workshop was divided into seven groups namely Health and Wellbeing; Gender Equality; Quality Education; Reducing Inequality; Climate Action; Peaceful, Fair and Strong Institutions; and Partners for Goals.