Members of SOS Children’s Villages across the country also took part in the event.  Addressing the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Thi Ha voiced her hope that participants of the forum will move forward with responsibility, confidence, knowledge and creativity to ensure the best for children and child protection. Director of the Children’s Department of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Dang Hoa Nam said life-skills should be included in the school curriculum: “The forum calls for respect for children’s voices, and demonstrates their initiative and support for child development. We should help them to realize their responsibility in society, while developing their self-reliance and creativity and increasing participation in children protection activities. Life-skills education is of great importance at school. It’s high time to pay more attention to providing children with necessary life-skills and knowledge to move forward in the real world. “