Programme empowers young voices for clean air and sustainable future

In his opening remarks, Vu Minh Viet, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Agriculture and Environment Newspaper, said the programme was concrete proof that, when children and young people are provided with knowledge, given opportunities and listened to, they can proactively identify issues, tell their own stories and propose practical environmental initiatives.

For his part, Ly Phat Viet Linh, a specialist on Climate Change, Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Response at UNICEF Viet Nam, said the programme formed part of efforts to promote every child’s right to live in a safe, healthy environment, while creating conditions for children and young people to participate, be heard and contribute to solutions for the future.

Held in response to the 2026 International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, the six-month programme featured numerous communication and educational activities involving children and teenagers on air quality, the environment and climate change. Prominent among these were the “Young Innovators – Action for Clean Air” competition and the “I Tell My Story About Air” creative challenge, which attracted the participation of nearly one million people.

Through these activities, children and teenagers were equipped with knowledge about air quality, shared stories and perspectives, and directly proposed ideas and solutions arising from real-life problems.

Of these, the “I Tell My Story About Air” creative challenge for pupils aged 6 to 18 received more than 3,900 entries from students in 31 provinces and cities. Notably, the programme involved 314 children from vulnerable groups, including 306 ethnic minority pupils as well as children with intellectual, physical and visual impairments.

Participants chose a variety of formats, including drawings, posters, videos, written pieces, flipbooks and digital graphic products using artificial intelligence (AI) tools.

At the closing ceremony, the organisers presented one first prize, two second prizes and three third prizes for the best entries in the individual category. In the team category, Nguyen Du Secondary School (Thai Nguyen province) won first prize with more than 300 entries, while Bac Cuong No. 1 Primary School (Lao Cai province) and Thinh Liet Primary School (Ha Noi) secured the second and third prizes, respectively.