From Silence to Strength: Nhi’s Voice Echoes Across ASEAN

The room buzzed with anticipation. Around the table sat leaders, advocates, and youth representatives from across Southeast Asia, forty voices united by one mission: to reimagine child participation. Among them was Nhi, a 16-year-old student from Viet Nam, her eyes bright with determination. This was her moment.

Just two years ago, Nhi was a quiet girl who hesitated to speak in public. Today, she stood at the ASEAN Learning Session on Meaningful Child Participation, sharing her vision for a future where children are not just heard but empowered to lead.

“I felt very proud,” Nhi recalls. “Listening to youth from other countries opened my eyes to how young people can make real changes in their communities.”

The session, hosted by the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) with support from World Vision and partners, was more than a meeting. It was a movement. It introduced the Reimagining Child Participation Framework, a bold vision co-created with young people across ASEAN. Its message was clear: participation is not a privilege; it is a right. And it must be meaningful, inclusive, and impactful.

For Nhi, one idea stood out—the Youth Parliament model from the Philippines. “It showed me that when children are trusted and given space, they can lead meaningfully,” she says. “They propose ideas, influence decisions, and work alongside local leaders. That’s powerful.”

Her own journey mirrors that transformation. Through programs like Young Minds CAMP and the Child Online Safety Ambassador Club, supported by World Vision, Nhi learned leadership, creativity, and advocacy. She now trains peers on digital safety, organizes school activities, and speaks confidently in forums like this one.

What sparked this change? “Adults need to create spaces where children can express themselves,” Nhi explains. “When children feel heard and see their ideas matter, they become more confident and proactive.”

Faith Richelle Sy, World Vision East Asia’s Regional Advisor, echoed this sentiment during the session:

“Children and young people have made it clear: participation must be meaningful, inclusive, and responsive. We are proud to stand alongside ACWC and our partners in reimagining a future where children are empowered as co-creators of solutions and catalysts for change across ASEAN.”

As the session concluded, Nhi’s voice lingered, a reminder that when children lead, communities thrive. Her story is not just about one girl; it is about a generation ready to shape the future.