KUCHING: Sarawak’s strong sense of community and growing commitment to child rights make it a standout example at the national level.
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Malaysia’s Chief of Communication, Niko Manos Wieland, said he was struck by Sarawak’s welcoming atmosphere and collaborative spirit.
“This is my first time here, and I can already experience the warmth and sense of community. This is a meaningful place for us to come together and talk about children and their rights,” he said.
He made the remarks during his welcoming speech at an exclusive media roundtable at the Old Courthouse today.
The roundtable, attended by local media representatives and UNICEF Malaysia specialists, highlighted four priority areas that UNICEF is working on with the state’s city councils, schools, communities, and young people.
Wieland said the session provided journalists with an opportunity to understand how UNICEF and local partners are integrating child rights into policy, urban planning, and community development.
“This session is not only about the work UNICEF does, but also about the work the media do and continue to do in promoting and protecting children’s rights. The stories you tell and the angles you choose shape how families and decision-makers understand children’s realities,” he said.
During the session, UNICEF specialists briefed journalists on key initiatives.
On social policy and the Child-Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI), they highlighted children’s concerns about safety, mobility and community improvements, and explained how cities can achieve child-friendly certification.
In child online protection, they discussed risks such as grooming, exploitation, cyberbullying, and misinformation, alongside children’s recommendations for safer digital spaces.
Climate and environmental issues were also addressed, with UNICEF highlighting the impacts of floods and emphasising the need to include children’s voices in climate and disaster planning.
Education and the Future Skills for All (FS4A) initiative were highlighted as efforts to equip young people with future-ready skills and involve them in designing solutions to community challenges.
Wieland encouraged media practitioners to consider a child’s perspective in their reporting.
“We invite you to look at every issue from the angle of how a child would see it. What would a child feel? What would a child say? Their voices matter,” he added.
