NOT ISSUED BEFORE DATE 18/12/2015 15:00 GMT
PRESS RELEASE
Hanoi joining the melody "My Safe Cities – Love Cities"
Hanoi, 12/18/2015 –Thestreet music show "My Safe Cities – Love Cities"held at Ly Thai To Garden, Hanoi attracted a large number of people, especially young people, workers, diplomatic missions, tourists, and people who live, work and travel in Hanoi. This activity was organized by City Safety Network Vietnam, directed by Director- Musician Quoc Trung. Many young artists performedat the show,cheered up and encouraged residents in all cities in Vietnam to take action for their own cities. ActionAid Vietnam (AAV) and the Center for Studies and Applied Sciences in Gender, Family, Women and Adolescents (CSAGA) provided technical support for the event.
In a space surrounding Sword Lake within more than 2 hours of the program, the audiences were immersed in the vibrant music with the young artists. Students from University of Civil Engineering warm up the cold weather by a cheerful and inspiring flash mob dance, attracting many people passing by to remain with the program. Goodwill Ambassador of the program, singer Nhat Thuy and O-Plus band and other young artists delivered the message calling people to express the love for their own city by practical actions through music. Many touching stories and opinions were shared inthe exchange session between the artists, organizers and audiences, expressing concerns about the lack of safety in public places and wishes for safer cities.
Safe Citiesprogramme urged residents and authorities working towards their better cities, where every people, especially women and girls, are free to travel, work and live in cities and free to access and use transparent and efficient public services with good quality. City Safety Program Vietnam in 2016 has started to mobilize residents and government of Hanoi and other cities to participate in the program to improve the quality of public transport, lighting systems, clean water and public toilet for at least 10% of the city population.
At the event, Mr. Christopher Kinyanjui, Deputy General Director of ActionAid International, who isonofficialvisit in Vietnam, said: "I am very happy to participate and witness the enthusiasm of Vietnamese artists, youth and people of Vietnam to take action toward Safe Cities. ActionAid International, through ActionAid Vietnam, is committed to contribute to build safe cities for women and girls, so thatall of us, especially the poor and women migrant workers, can live stable and safe lives in cities. Safe CitiesProgramme has covered more than 300 cities around the world and already has some initial achievements, providing with qualified living environment for residents and encouraging people to proactively join in planning process in their cities. I believe that cities in Vietnam active joining this program will soon succeed."
Accompanying Safe CitiesProgrammein many events, Canadian Ambassador in Vietnam Mr. David Devine also asserted: "Protecting and promoting the rights of women is a key priority in Foreign Policy of Canada. We fully believe that gender equality plays an essential role for sustainable development, social justice, peace and security. Through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, we have provided financial support for organizations in Vietnam to promote women’s rights and end violence against women. The journey to eliminate violence against women is very challenging, requiring active participation of all. "
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Tran Minh Thu
Q. Communication and CampaignCoordinator, ActionAid Vietnam
Tel: 84 4 3943 9866 / Ext 112.
Email:
Nguyen Thu Thuy
Deputy Director
Center for Studies and Applied Sciences in Gender, Family, Women and Adolescents (CSAGA)
Tel: 04-3740421 / Ext 20
Email:
Information for Editors:
City Safety Network
City Safety Network is a working groupof a number of civil society organizations in Vietnam whoshare the enthusiasm and common purposes of buildingsafe cities,where no violence against women and girls happens. The network works toward increase cooperation between authorities of cities of Vietnam and residentsfor green-clean-beautiful-safe cities for all residents and visitors.
Goodwill Ambassadors of the Program
Singer Nhat Thuy was the champion of Vietnam Idol 2013. She owns rare Soprano voice, being able to address complex music technics, high tone, with smartmusic thinking. Nhat Thuy not only owns vocal technique but also has very unique and emotional way of performing to touch audiences’ feelings. She is an excellent student of the University of Military Art and Culture, wining a number of high awards at singing contests in Vietnam and abroad.
O-Plus band has won many awards including First Prize of the contest “Backstreet Boys' song Wannabe” with the song "Inconsolable"; X-Factor Vietnam 2014; Green Wave Award 2014, and “New Faces”. The band was also nominated at Music Awards 2014,Cong Hien Awardin category "New Artist" and participated in most of prestigious music game shows in Vietnam as Favorite Songs, Songs of Vietnam, Proud Tone…
In addition to the lively art activities, Nhat Thuy and O-Plus group regularly and actively joint many social activities, promoting and contributing to a positive lifestyle and bring joy to everyone. Nhat Thuy and O-Plus will accompany the program in two years from 2015 to 2016.