Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam’s students participate in the 2019 ASEAN Youth Debate on Human Rights contest

The 2019 ASEAN Youth Debate on Human Rights contest with the theme of "Progressive Partnership for Sustainability" was an annual activity organized by the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR). This competition was one of a series of activities aiming at raising ASEAN youths’ awareness of human rights issues within the region. This was the sixth time the contest had been held, with the participation of 30 excellent students from all 10 ASEAN member countries.

The Vietnamese delegation was led by Deputy Director of the ASEAN Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and co-judges for the debate sessions, Mr. Duong Hai Hung; along with students from the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam: Vu Thuy Duong, student of the International Law Faculty; Tran Duc Thien, student of the International politics and Diplomatic studies Faculty; Dao Duy Tan, student of the Mass media and Cross cultural communication Faculty.

During the three days, ASEAN youths participated in heatedly debating sessions with the following topics: (i) Limiting the number of tourists visiting the national parks; (ii) Criminal liability for minors aged from 16 to 18 years old; (iii) the enforcement of carbon tax legislation in ASEAN; (iv) Legalizing marijuana-derived preparations in medicine; (v) Government rights in monitoring Internet use.

At the contest, all three students from the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam had excellent debating competitions, deeply impressed judges and audiences.

Being asked about his feelings about the contest, Tran Duc Thien, shared: “The 2019 ASEAN Youth Debate Contest on Human Rights is an opportunity for young people like me to gain helpful knowledge on human rights activities in ASEAN, and at the same time to be able to speak up for current topics in the region. I believe that the most important thing I gained when participating in the contest is the chance to meet young people within the region, listen to their opinions and discuss global issues."

Within the contest’s framework, the contestants also had opportunitíe to participate in side activities such as the seminar on "Human rights issues in ASEAN", visiting the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) and Asia-Pacific Development Center Disability (APCD). Through the contest, the students of the Academy gained an understanding of Human Rights activities being carried out in the region to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).