Religious foreign affairs activities are one of the important and regular activities of religious organizations in Vietnam. Foreign affairs activities take place in many fields, from training, conferences, seminars to sharing experiences as well as missionary issues...
In the context of the country increasingly integrating into world life, international activities of Vietnamese religions are also diverse and rich, the number of domestic and foreign delegations going to and coming to study and learn about the religious situation is increasing.
Religious foreign affairs activities of religious organizations in Vietnam are not only carried out in accordance with the provisions of the law on beliefs and religions, but also facilitated for religious organizations to enhance their role and position in international activities, as well as create conditions for foreign organizations to have access to the reality in regions of Vietnam, contributing to the work of ensuring freedom of belief and religion of individuals and religious organizations.
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Religious diplomacy is one of the important and regular activities of religious organizations in Vietnam. (Photo: Religious Affairs Committee)[/caption]Achievements in religious diplomacy
Recognizing the importance of relations with countries in the fields of religion and human rights, Vietnam has stepped up cooperation activities with countries in the fields of religion and human rights. With Laos and Cambodia, the Government Committee for Religious Affairs has stepped up cooperation activities with religious agencies in Laos and Cambodia, for example:
Signed a cooperation agreement with the Central Committee of the Lao Front for National Construction since 2007, and with the Cambodian Ministry of Religious Affairs since 2015. Regularly exchanged high-level delegations, organized training courses for officials working in religious affairs of the country. Coordinated the organization of conferences to exchange experiences in religious affairs between the border provinces of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.
Research and experience exchange activities on state management in the field of religion with countries in the region and around the world are regularly carried out, such as: organizing delegations to study and exchange on Catholicism and Orthodoxy in Mexico, Cuba, Russia; practical research on Protestantism in Korea and the United States; organizing dialogues on religious issues with agencies, organizations, and individuals in the United States, Belgium, and Switzerland; research on Islam and Islamic culture in some Muslim countries; establishing relations in the field of religion with most ASEAN countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Brunei, Thailand, helping the Vietnamese community practice spirituality and religious beliefs in Eastern Europe, France, Hungary, Australia, and New Zealand.
The Vietnam-Vatican relationship continues to be maintained and has made new progress such as upgrading the relationship from the level of non-resident special envoy to the level of resident special envoy, continuing to exchange high-level delegations, preparing well for negotiation rounds and other activities to promote bilateral relations.
Regarding foreign propaganda work, Vietnam has increased dialogue with representatives of diplomatic missions, international organizations in Vietnam and foreign delegations operating in Vietnam, many of whom are individuals and religious organizations. Vietnam has stepped up propaganda through mass media, translating and printing books and legal documents related to Vietnamese religious beliefs.
In coordination with the European Union Delegation in Hanoi and the Institute for Global Engagement, an international workshop was held to share experiences on legal policies on religion and the contributions of religions to society.
Vietnam effectively participates in human rights dialogues with Australia, the United States, Switzerland, Norway, the EU , welcomes the work of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Religious Freedom, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, and the United Nations Building and Protection of State Reports under the 3rd UPR Periodic Review Mechanism and the report on the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ICCPL in response to recommendations of United Nations agencies.
Through these activities, the Government Committee for Religious Affairs clearly affirms the consistent policy of respecting freedom of religious orientation of the Party and State of Vietnam, highlights the achievements in the field of religion that we have achieved, and resolutely criticizes the distortion of the objective reality of religious values by ill-intentioned foreign organizations and individuals and activities against Vietnam in the field of religion.
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Major religious diplomatic events organized by Vietnam are highly appreciated. (Photo: Buddhism.org)[/caption]Policy to care for the spiritual life of the Vietnamese community abroad
The Government Committee for Religious Affairs has established many delegations, or combined them in overseas trips to meet with the Vietnamese community to learn about their aspirations, discuss with local authorities to propose helping the Vietnamese community to freely practice religion and spirituality, create excitement, and further connect with the homeland. Thanks to that, 7 Vietnamese Buddhist associations in France, Russia, Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Ukraine, and a representative committee of monks studying abroad in India and Laos have allowed the establishment of a coordinating committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Laos. The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has carried out many Buddhist activities in 22 countries and territories.
In recent times, international activities of Vietnamese religions have been very active and regular. This is the result of the open policy, creating favorable conditions for religious organizations and individuals to operate by our Party and State.
Specifically, from 2012 to present, there have been about 370 Buddhist, Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, Cao Dai delegations, with more than 1,000 foreign individuals and organizations entering Vietnam to conduct religious activities, and about more than 1,200 dignitaries, followers, and monks of Vietnamese religions going abroad. Vietnamese religious organizations and individuals have gone abroad to attend conferences, seminars, forums, and advanced training. Currently, there are about 250 monks and nuns and 250 priests studying abroad in Asian countries, the United States, France, and Italy.
Foreign organizations and individuals entering Vietnam to conduct religious activities and cooperate with Vietnamese religious organizations to implement medical, educational, charity, humanitarian projects, hunger eradication and poverty reduction, and support areas affected by natural disasters and floods.
In Vietnam, many major religious conferences and festivals have been held solemnly and successfully, receiving high praise from the public. These activities have contributed to introducing the country, people, history and culture of Vietnam to international friends, affirming the consistent policy of the Vietnamese government to respect and ensure freedom of belief and religion.
Phuong Anh
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