The mark of people-to-people diplomacy.

The Union, in collaboration with the Children of Vietnam (COV) organization, awarded scholarships to students in Quang Nam province . Photo: Provided by the Union.

In Quang Nam, foreign affairs work has been implemented comprehensively and achieved many good results. Specifically, in the field of people-to-people diplomacy regarding foreign non -governmental aid, nearly 80 foreign organizations and individuals have come to operate in Quang Nam province. Of these, the Provincial Union of Friendship Organizations (hereinafter referred to as the Union) has established friendly cooperative relations with more than 30 foreign organizations and individuals.

Dedicated to being a bridge

Mr. Vo Dinh Anh Tuan, Head Representative of Children of Vietnam (COV) in Vietnam, said that COV is currently operating in five provinces and cities, from Quang Tri to Quang Ngai . Quang Nam is the largest area, with almost all of COV's activities and programs being implemented there.

In 2024 alone, COV collaborated with the Union and local units in the province to build new classrooms and provide equipment for the kindergarten in Hamlet 5 (Tien Hiep commune, Tien Phuoc district); repair one primary school in Dang commune (Tay Giang); award 150 scholarships, install 6 clean water systems, and give many gifts to children in the province. The total value of the cooperation reached over 1.6 billion VND.

According to Mr. Tuan, thanks to strong and effective cooperation, COV highly appreciates the Union's bridging role, especially in supporting the resolution of administrative procedures and related outstanding issues and obstacles. This has helped the coordination and implementation of programs and projects proceed smoothly and meet the set deadlines.

The Union, in coordination with the COV Organization and the Red Cross Society of Tien Phuoc district, built new classrooms and provided equipment for the kindergarten in Hamlet 5 (Tien Hiep commune). Photo: Provided by the Union.

"The Union's enthusiasm and dedication in guiding, supporting, and connecting us gives us peace of mind when implementing activities in Quang Nam. It's a bond that connects sponsors to long-term cooperation in the locality," Mr. Tuan shared.

According to the report, over the past five years, the Union has built a "Project Opportunity Cabinet" with hundreds of feasible projects and has directly mobilized many individuals and non-governmental organizations to fund more than 120 programs, projects, and non-project activities for Quang Nam, with a total mobilized value of nearly 70 billion VND.

According to Mr. Nguyen Canh, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Union, the Union has so far established and maintained relationships with more than 30 foreign organizations and individuals that sponsor programs, projects, and non-project activities in the province.

The programs, projects, and non-project activities have yielded practical results for local people and have had a positive impact in changing perceptions and enhancing the capacity of officials and people in the project area.

"Given the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic downturn, fundraising efforts are expected to face many difficulties. However, over the past five years, especially in 2023 and 2024, the Union has successfully attracted aid capital, meeting its set targets."

"The number of programs, projects, and non-project activities is greater, more effective, and focused on the province's priority areas such as health, education, sustainable poverty reduction, housing construction, and addressing social issues..." - Mr. Canh said.

Currently, the Union has five member associations: the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association, the Vietnam-Korea Friendship Association, the Vietnam-France Friendship Association, the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association, and the Steering Committee for the establishment of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association. Of these, the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association has six affiliated branches; the Vietnam-Korea Friendship Association has four affiliated branches.

During the past term, the Union was awarded 1 Flag of Excellence for best performance in the sector by the Provincial People's Committee; 1 Flag of Excellence for leading in peace, solidarity, and friendship work by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations; 2 Certificates of Merit from the Provincial People's Committee; and 3 Certificates of Merit from the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations.

Proactive and flexible in foreign relations.

During the 2019-2024 term, due to the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, activities promoting peace, solidarity, friendship, and people-to-people exchanges with other countries were interrupted for a long period. However, after the pandemic was brought under control, these friendly exchanges resumed and achieved many positive results.

Leaders of the Union presented uniforms to the students. Photo: Provided by the Union.

During its term, the Union welcomed nearly 160 international delegations, with almost 840 foreign visitors coming to visit and work. Activities were vibrant, including events such as the Year of Solidarity and Friendship, the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with other countries, national day celebrations, and cultural and artistic exchanges.

The programs were vibrant, fostering closer ties between Quang Nam and other countries, especially the traditional friendship and special solidarity between Vietnam and Laos.

Over the past five years, the Union has coordinated with the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association of the province to organize four volunteer missions with more than 100 participants to Sekong province (Laos) for humanitarian and charitable activities, including free medical examinations, treatment, and medication distribution. The total funding raised for these humanitarian programs exceeded 3.4 billion VND.

This program, once implemented, has helped hundreds of Lao people regain their sight, and thousands have received free examinations, treatment, and medication, earning high praise from the government and people of Sekong province.

Mr. Nguyen Canh stated that people-to-people diplomacy plays a crucial role and holds an important position in implementing the foreign policy of the Party and the State.

The Union, in coordination with the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association of the province, organized humanitarian and charitable activities, including free medical examinations, treatment, and medication distribution in Sekong province (Laos). Photo: Provided by the Union.

With that spirit in mind, over the next five years, the Union and its member organizations will implement key tasks and solutions with the overarching theme of the term: "Unity, innovation, creativity, and strengthening people-to-people diplomacy to contribute to the development of Quang Nam."

Accordingly, to effectively implement people-to-people diplomacy, in addition to doing a good job of advising on annual plans, the Union's staff needs to leverage their experience, professional skills, and apply digital transformation to their work.

This aims to strengthen connections, promote and introduce the image of Quang Nam to partners, thereby maximizing the potential of feasible programs and projects for the people and localities.

"The Union's activities need to closely adhere to the resolutions and guidelines of the Party and State on promoting people-to-people diplomacy in the new situation. Especially in the context of streamlining the organization and apparatus according to the Central Committee's policy, the Union needs to be proactive, flexible, creative, and innovative in its work to achieve practical results," Mr. Canh said.

Many organizations have long been associated with the Union, sponsoring numerous effective programs, projects, and non-project activities in Quang Nam province, such as: Ecole Sauvage (ES) - France; Saitama Japan-Vietnam Peace and Friendship Council (JVPF Saitama) - Japan; Korean Medical Association for Peace in Vietnam; Korea-Vietnam Peace Foundation; Lifelong Education Agency - Korea; and Lotte Foundation.

This also includes organizations such as: Korea Food For The Hungry International (KFHI) - South Korea; Nawauri - South Korea; Habitat For Humanity International in Vietnam (HFHI-V); Lighting Up Children's Hope (CHIA) - Australia; Lifestart Foundation (LSF) - Australia; Children's Education Foundation (CEF) - Australia; Sunflower Mission (SM) - USA; Hearing and Beyond in Vietnam (HAB); Novelle Plannète (NP) - Switzerland; Saigon Children's Charity CIO (SCC) - UK; Medical Outreach of America (MOA); Children of Vietnam (COV)...

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/dai-hoi-dai-bieu-lien-hiep-cac-to-chuc-huu-nghi-tinh-quang-nam-lan-thu-v-nhiem-ky-2024-2029-dau-an-cong-tac-doi-ngoai-nhan-dan-3146439.html