On the afternoon of June 27, General Secretary To Lam's spouse, Ngo Phuong Ly, and UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay visited the Vietnam Women’s Museum in Hanoi as special guests at the “We CAN” art exhibition. The event coincided with Ms. Azoulay’s official visit to Vietnam.

Organized by the UNESCO Hanoi Office, the exhibition features nearly 30 artworks created by students from Cao Bang, Ninh Thuan, and Vinh Long, selected from the “Reach Further - Shine Bright” competition. These pieces are part of the “We CAN” project, a joint initiative by UNESCO and the Ministry of Education and Training, aimed at empowering learning and holistic development for ethnic minority women and girls in disadvantaged areas.

Speaking at the event, Madam Ngo Phuong Ly expressed deep admiration for the project’s name, “We CAN” – short yet rich in meaning. She described it as a message of optimism and hope, a declaration of resilience, and a voice of solidarity among those facing hardship together. “This name reflects not only creative spirit but also the genuine voices of the girls. It sends a clear message: ‘We CAN – if given the chance’,” she emphasized.

She noted that the project title, with its simplicity and sincerity, embodies the spirit of a collective journey by UNESCO, the Ministry, and communities working toward a more inclusive, just, and compassionate future for women and girls.

At the meeting, she also expressed appreciation for Director-General Azoulay’s care and commitment to Vietnam. She reiterated Vietnam’s strategic focus on gender equality through initiatives such as expanding educational access in remote areas, promoting STEM education for girls, and enhancing women’s participation in public life.

In turn, Audrey Azoulay thanked Madam Ngo Phuong Ly for her presence, calling it a meaningful gesture of solidarity for gender equality. She praised Vietnam’s genuine commitment to UNESCO’s goals, particularly in inclusive education and sustainable development.

Azoulay was visibly moved by the artworks on display, which she described as a vivid expression of the “Her Education, Our Future” spirit. Both leaders agreed that education is a key driver of gender equality and reaffirmed it as a foundation for long-term cooperation between Vietnam and UNESCO.

The UNESCO chief also highlighted global post-Covid-19 challenges such as gender disparities in education and women’s mental health. She called for more gender education and community-based initiatives like “We CAN.”

She commended Vietnam’s high rate of female leadership and its push for girls’ participation in digital transformation. Azoulay emphasized the need to increase women's involvement in technology and artificial intelligence.

During the visit, the two guests also toured the museum’s “Women in the Family” section, which portrays the life stages of Vietnamese women - coming of age, marriage, motherhood, and maintaining family - while honoring cultural traditions through rituals, practices, and indigenous knowledge.

Ngo Phuong Ly invited Audrey Azoulay to enjoy a traditional Vietnamese tea party, where the setting and treats such as lotus tea, green rice cakes, and xu xe cake reflected Vietnamese hospitality and cultural warmth.

Director-General Azoulay thanked Madam Ly for the gracious gathering, calling it a deeply cultural moment that enhanced her understanding of local knowledge systems amidst the digital age’s impact on human connections.

The visit concluded in a spirit of warmth and shared values, reflecting the strong, humane partnership between Vietnam and UNESCO - where knowledge, culture, and compassion come together in pursuit of a more inclusive, fair, and sustainable future for all.

Tran Thuong