Communiqué on the results of the 9th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians

On September 16, continuing the 9th Global Meeting of Young Parliamentarians, the Conference held the third thematic discussion session on “Promoting respect for cultural diversity for sustainable development”. Moroccan parliamentarian and member of the IPU Young Parliamentarians Forum Executive Board Kamal Ait Mik chaired the discussion session.

Photo caption — National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue speaks at the closing session of the 9th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians. Photo: VNA

SDGs - one of the important parts of the Millennium Goals At the discussion session, delegates listened to the opening speech on "Promoting respect for cultural diversity for sustainable development" by former advisor to the Director General of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Professor of the University of Pavia (Italy) Maurizio Bona; President of the Rencontres du Vietnam, Director of the International Center for Interdisciplinary Science and Education (ICISE), Professor Jean Tran Thanh Van; Standing Member of the Committee on Culture and Education Bui Hoai Son and a recorded speech by Assistant Director General for Social Sciences and Humanities, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Gabriela Ramos; Mr. Andy Williamson, Senior Researcher at the IPU Innovation Center; representative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations. Paying attention to the important role of parliaments, especially young parliamentarians, at this Conference, representative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Miguel Ángel Moratinos stated that the Conference took place at the right time when the 78th United Nations General Assembly was discussing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and responding to the impacts of the crises the world is facing, in order to set out directions to promote actions to complete the goals. "SDGs are one of the important parts of the Millennium Goals," affirmed Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos. Speaking at the discussion session, Standing Member of the Committee on Culture and Education of the National Assembly of Vietnam, Mr. Bui Hoai Son, stated that as a country with a long history and traditional culture, Vietnam has been implementing and constantly perfecting its institutions and policies according to the consistent motto of "taking Vietnamese cultural values and people as the foundation and important endogenous strength to ensure sustainable development". The Platform for National Construction (supplemented and developed in 2011) has identified major and important orientations in the process of developing Vietnam, in which the most prominent contents are related to promoting cultural diversity, respecting the cultures of ethnic groups, aiming at the goal of sustainable development such as: "Building an advanced Vietnamese culture, imbued with national identity, comprehensive development, unity in diversity, deeply imbued with the spirit of humanity, democracy, and progress; making culture closely linked and deeply permeating the entire social life, becoming a solid spiritual foundation, an important endogenous strength of development. Inheriting and promoting the fine cultural traditions of the Vietnamese ethnic community, absorbing the quintessence of human culture, building a democratic, fair, civilized society, for the true interests and dignity of people, with increasingly high levels of knowledge, morality, physical strength and aesthetics". Mr. Bui Hoai Son also stated: The Vietnamese National Assembly also pays great attention to and focuses on perfecting the legal system and promulgating policies to promote respect for cultural diversity for sustainable development. The Constitution - the original law with the highest legal value affirming the equality of ethnic groups - emphasizes: ethnic groups are equal, united, respect and help each other to develop together; all acts of ethnic discrimination and division are strictly prohibited. Ethnic groups have the right to use their own language and writing, preserve their national identity, promote their customs, practices, traditions and fine culture. The National Assembly has promulgated laws on beliefs, religions, cultural heritage, advertising, libraries, etc., national target programs on culture, ethnic minorities, hunger eradication and poverty reduction, etc. and regularly conducts supervision and questioning to ensure that cultural diversity issues are respected and consistent in the country's major programs.

Culture - a pillar of sustainable development

After the opening remarks, delegates focused on discussing the role of parliaments and young parliamentarians in promoting respect for cultural diversity in the context of technological transformation and globalization. In particular, the contents are: digital cooperation based on ethics and minimizing the unwanted impacts of digital transformation on privacy, security and happiness; promoting the role of culture in development policies at the national, regional and international levels; commitment to protecting and promoting cultural diversity; creating a favorable environment and ecosystem for culture and cultural diversity; the role of culture and cultural diversity in sustainable development. On behalf of the Vietnamese delegation, Trinh Xuan An, Member of the National Defense and Security Committee, stated that cultural diversity is a decisive factor in the wealth and richness of cultural resources, thereby increasing economic development opportunities and creating prosperity for each country. In the context of globalization, countries need to continue to preserve and promote their own cultural identities, have mutual respect for cultural diversity among nations and peoples; at the same time, share with each other, filter and promote the quintessence of the common culture of humanity for mutual development. Ensuring the principle of mutual respect will bring countries and cultures together to cooperate, dialogue, build trust and share to coexist and develop instead of creating conflicts and contradictions. Because of this meaning, promoting respect for cultural diversity will help build a universal culture - a culture of diversity. Emphasizing this, Mr. Trinh Xuan An recommended that the National Assemblies of countries should affirm the role of culture as a pillar of sustainable development and implement the United Nations 2030 Agenda, promoting the role of culture in development policies at the national, regional and international levels. Commit to protecting and promoting cultural diversity; create an environment and ecosystem favorable for culture and cultural diversity; affirm the role of the creative economy and cultural industries; develop a system of cities belonging to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. “At the same time, affirm the role of culture and cultural diversity in the process of solving the difficulties and challenges facing humanity today, especially the issue of climate change, preventing the trafficking and illegal transportation of cultural assets,” the representative of the Vietnamese delegation emphasized.

VT/Newspaper