(KPL) More than 59 youth representatives from 18 provinces across the country gathered in Xamneua, Houaphanh Province today to take part in a nationwide consultation organized by the Lao National Radio, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism (MICT) and UNICEF in commemoration of its 20th anniversary of cooperation on youth empowerment through the Lao Youth Media initiative.

The consultation supported by the European Union and the government of Australia, gathered children and youth from all across the country’s youth media network to brainstorm recommendations on how to tackle a wide range of issues currently affecting children and young people’s lives. These include challenges related to education, health, nutrition, climate change and child protection among others.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Phosy Keomanivong, Deputy Minister of MICT thanked UNICEF for their support in building the capacity of the media in the Lao PDR and highlighted the Lao Youth Media initiative, a flagship project between MICT and UNICEF aimed at building the skills of the nation’s young reporters across all provinces, as an excellent example of youth empowerment through media.

“The Lao Youth Media initiative is helping us to capacity build young people in media and to provide necessary information on health, immunization, nutrition, education, hygiene and sanitation, climate changes, child protection using communication strategies centered on young people. Since its inception in 2004, the initiative continues to help us foster open dialogue with children and young people and enable them to contribute to the improvement of their communities,” explained Mr. Phosy Keomanivong.

During the event, Mr. Simon Nazer, Chief of Communications of UNICEF Lao PDR, further emphasised the importance of youth participation in creating a better future for all.

“Children have the right to be heard and taken seriously in all matters that concern them. Thus, it is important that we provide a platform where they can share their ideas and actively participate in the decision-making process affecting their lives, including platforms like today’s consultation and the Lao Youth Media,” said Mr. Simon Nazer.

“UNICEF remains committed to further deepening our partnership with MICT as well as the Lao National Radio to strengthen the capacity of the country’s media and in promoting greater youth participation through it,” he added.

Outcomes from the youth consultation in Xamneua will feed into the mid-term review of the five-year programme of cooperation between the Government of Lao PDR and UNICEF, helping ensure the work between the two parties is responsive to the needs of children and young people.

Furthermore, Lao Youth Media teams participating in the consultation will also get the chance to exchange their experiences working in media, receive additional training on radio and social media production and other skills to help them advocate about different child rights issues. The teams will also visit local villages in Xamneua as part of the consultation where they will have the chance to hone their skills in gathering news and interviewing community members on different topics related to child rights.

KPL