The UNICEF Việt Nam and the Ministry of Health launch the campaign "Kindness is Contagious" on Wednesday. — Photo suckhoedoisong.vn

HÀ NỘI — UNICEF Việt Nam and the Ministry of Health (MoH) on Wednesday launched a media campaign to call on adolescents and young people to show support for their community by promoting mutual understanding, tolerance, inclusion and by sharing innovative and creative solutions to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

From May to June 2020, the campaign, named “Kindness is Contagious”, will emphasise three key messages – Be kind, Be tolerant and Be optimistic.

It will be rolled out on social media and mass media in the coming weeks and will tap into the strengths of adolescents and young people who want to do more to fight anxiety, and who want to share their feelings and aspirations with their networks and peers all over the country.

The goal is to amplify their voices by inviting them to share drawings, videos, innovative and creative solutions through UNICEF and MoH’s digital platforms.

The campaign is not only about what young people can do during the COVID-19 period, but also what they may learn and do differently once the situation returns to normal.

COVID-19 induced movement restrictions and physical distancing could potentially lead to long-term anxiety and mental health issues for everyone. At the same time, it offers an opportunity to strengthen bonds and global solidarity, particularly among young people. This is relevant today, as well as important, should further outbreaks be recorded.

With 70 per cent of the population under 35 years of age, Việt Nam’s demographic is considered young. Young people represent an inexhaustible source of ideas and creativity, a real driving force for change in the country.

In this health crisis context, the large cohort of young people is an opportunity for them to emerge as a pillar against the spread of the pandemic and misinformation. UNICEF and MoH want to give young people an opportunity to raise their voices and position themselves as leaders to fight anxiety and support each other.

“We are in uncertain and challenging times, where physical distancing leaves us ‘alone’ more than ever. There is a growing movement wanting the new normal to learn from the past, to be better and kinder. Now more than ever is the time to care and show love and through the campaign, we ask adolescent and young people to undertake acts of kindness. Any action, even modest, will have a strong impact on our community to get through the period and emerge stronger together,” said Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative in Việt Nam.

“With the campaign, the Ministry of Health would like to offer the Vietnamese young people more opportunities to share their ideas, contribute and maximise the power and passion of youth to join with the community to fight COVID-19. Be kind, be tolerant, and spread love so that kindness can be multiplied and widespread in the community,” said Nguyễn Đình Anh, director of the MoH's Department for Communication, Emulation and Award. — VNS