14/10/2025

TUESDAY | OCT 14, 2025

12

EDUCATION NEWS

Youths guide on child rights

Today’s engagement with Members of Parliament reaffirms that children’s well being is a collective responsibility, one that transcends politics. Together with Unicef and our partners, the Ministry remains dedicated to ensuring that every child in Malaysia grows up safe, healthy, and included,” said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri. During the briefing, young people shared their perspectives through child and youth councils supported by MWFCD, Suhakam (Human Rights Commission of Malaysia) and Unicef. These platforms ensure children’s voices are heard in the shaping of policies and services that affect their lives. Their contributions underscore the importance of placing children at the centre of public decision-making, drawing on their lived experiences to inform on Malaysia’s future. Malaysia ratified the CRC in 1995 and has since progressively aligned policies and laws with its principles, with advances in education, healthcare, child protection and digital learning. Looking ahead to its 2026 review in Geneva, Malaysia reaffirmed its commitment to place children’s wellbeing and participation at the heart of national development. Adopted in 1989, the United Nation’s CRC is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history, affirming every child’s right to survival, development, protection and participation. It continues to inspire countries around the world to strengthen laws, build protection systems and expand opportunities for children to take part in decisions that shape their lives.

o #JanjiKita campaign to inspire collective action for every child

Ű BY DHARSHINI GANESON

Celebrating Mid Autumn Festival THE Malaysian Public Library, Research and Development Centre (MPLRDC), in partnership with HELP University (HU), proudly hosted a grand Festival of 1,000 Lanterns in conjunction with its mid-autumn celebration this year. The evening of culture, light, and community featured captivating performances, interactive traditional activities and a magical lantern procession, which brought together children, families and neighbours in a shared expression of heritage and joy. The festival which included highlights such as a dragon dance, the 24 Festive Drums performance by SMJK Chung Hwa Klang, the Seafield School Band, cultural song presentations, lantern-making and riddle guessing competitions, culminated in a procession of 1,000 lanterns. The Mid-Autumn Festival, with a history of over 1,000 years, is one of China’s most beloved cultural traditions. It is a time for family reunion, thanksgiving and reflection. The full moon, round and bright, symbolises harmony and completeness, while the sharing of mooncakes represents unity, good fortune, and togetherness. Lanterns are a central symbol of the Mid Autumn Festival. Each lantern represents hope and warmth and when joined together, they create a magnificent vision of unity and light. The procession of 1,000 lanterns embodies this spirit of togetherness. This year’s festival carries a special meaning for HU as it extends joy to underprivileged children from BRDB-Rotary Children’s Residence, Rumah Kasih Harmoni Paya Jaras, and Al-Aliyah International School who joined in the celebration. Their participation reflects the festival’s deeper purpose – to share light, warmth and As Malaysia marks the 30th anniversary of its ratification of the CRC and prepares for its dialogue with the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in January 2026, the briefing underscored both the progress achieved and the areas that require continued attention. Key priorities identified included the need for stronger child protection systems to prevent and respond to violence against children, greater resource allocation for child related services and more meaningful child participation in shaping decisions that affect their lives. During the session, Unicef introduced its national campaign, #JanjiKita(“Our Promise”), THE Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (MWFCD) and Unicef (United Nations Children’s Fund) Malaysia recently convened a parliamentary briefing on the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), bringing together members of parliament, government agencies and young representatives to renew Malaysia’s commitment to children’s rights. The session was aimed to strengthen every member of parliament’s understanding of the CRC and highlight parliament’s role in advancing children’s rights through legislation policy and budgets.

Nancy meeting up with youths for their feedback on the CRC.

“As Malaysia looks to its 2026 review, we can turn commitment into action through stronger laws, increased investment in children and meaningful child participation in policymaking. Unicef will continue to work alongside Parliament, Government and young people to carry this forward,” said Saskia Blume, Unicef Malaysia. “Parliament plays a vital role in advancing our shared commitment to children’s rights.

a call to action for all sectors of society, from parliament and government to communities, parents, and children to ensure that every child is seen, heard and protected. The campaign is part of Unicef’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness and mobilise collective action to uphold children’s rights across Malaysia. “Today is about renewing a shared promise that every child is seen, heard and protected.

HELP University believes tradition and culture play an important role for students.

lifelong learning and community engagement. Currently located at ELM Business School, within HU’s Damansara Heights campus, MPLRDC continues to serve the public through exhibitions, talks, workshops, reading programmes, and cultural celebrations. The celebration was made more meaningful with the attendance of Muhammad Izuan Ahmad Kasim, the state assemblyman for Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya.

tradition, but also unity, joy and the importance of reaching out to one another. Festivals shine brightest when everyone is included.” The MPLRDC (originally the Malayan Public Library Association) was established in 1955 and is one of the country’s oldest cultural institutions. With a collection of over 60,000 volumes in Chinese, Malay, English and translated works, the centre preserves heritage while promoting

inclusion with those who need it most. Lanterns were sold at the event to raise money for the childrens’ homes and for MPLRDC. Datin Chan Kam Yoke, founder of HU, and chairman of MPLRDC said: “The Festival of 1,000 Lanterns is more than a celebration – it’s a reflection of our community’s spirit. Each lantern shines brightly on its own, but together they create something truly spectacular. “Tonight we celebrate not just culture and

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