Developing a “Child Friendly District” in District 4, Ho Chi Minh City

This booklet aims to trace the development of the Child Friendly District of District 4, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from the start of the project to date (2002 – 2006). District 4 in Ho Chi Minh City  is one of the poorest  districts in the city. The majority of its population are workers with  unstable incomes, low education  levels and low standards of living. The overall objective of the project initiated by Save the Children Sweden and local partners, was to make children the first  priority in developing policies of the district and to create the  best environment for the holistic  development of the child, with an emphasis on children in especially  difficult circumstances. The report gives a chronological overview on the evolution of this experimental project, with more emphasis given to process than to output.

Throughout the project there was a strong focus on capacity building and training for adults on child rights, child participation, child-centered working methods, and for children themselves, on their rights and obligations, communication skills, life skills, etc. Children have gained more confidence to raise their voices  about issues relating to them,  which were then seriously taken  into consideration by parents,  adults and district authorities and  consequently a number of policies  at district level have been adapted  for the best interest of children in  District 4.

This booklet can be a useful resource to any government or non-governmental organisation interested in creating, promoting and/or supporting a similar initiative, especially to those that genuinely wish to give children the opportunity to contribute to the planning and implementation of activities that affect them.