Ha Noi, Viet Nam, Green One United Nations House (GOUNH), 16 June 2022 – The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Vietnam Today magazine organised a seminar ‘Keeping girls in the picture’.

The seminar aims to promote press engagement for the education of ethnic minority girls, especially in the context of the post COVID-19 pandemic. More than 50 journalists, media experts and ethnic minority advocates participated in the seminar. Mr. Christian Manhart, UNESCO Representative to Viet Nam; Mr. Tran Van Manh, Vice President cum General Secretary of the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations, Editor-in-Chief of Vietnam Today Magazine participated in the event.

The seminar was held under the ‘We are ABLE – Achieving Better Living and Education’ project, promoting gender equality and girls’ education in ethnic minority areas. The project is implemented by UNESCO in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Training and the Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs, with support from CJ Group, and aims to promote education for ethnic minority girls in Ha Giang, Ninh Thuan and Soc Trang.

Worldwide, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the largest school closures in history. In Vietnam, the education of 21 million children has been disrupted. As highlighted by UNESCO, girls and specifically ethnic minority girls are at risk as for many of them, school is key to a better future.

The seminar was held in the lead up to the Vietnam Journalism Day on 21 June as a confirmation that the press holds power in creating positive changes for society, including promoting the education of ethnic minority girls.

Source: UNESCO