On July 19, during the 2023 National Conference on People-to-people Diplomacy, the second discussion session on renewing and improving the operational efficiency of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) system took place.
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| Delegates attend the second discussion session of the 2023 National Conference on People-to-people Diplomacy (Photo: Thu Ha). |
Vice President – General Secretary of VUFO, Phan Anh Son, presented the work plan for 2024 and the development orientation for the VUFO system in 2030.
The focus of work in 2024 will be on peace, solidarity, and friendship; foreign non-governmental work; consulting and research; information and communication; human resources and system development.
Regarding INGO activities, VUFO will organize the 5th international conference on INGOs, implement administrative reform, diversify aid sources, and innovate aid mobilization methods.
For the orientation towards 2030, VUFO identifies nine strategic goals aimed at improving the quality of consultation on formulating and implementing policies on people-to-people diplomacy, enhancing domestic and foreign partner organization networks, and raising awareness and trust in VUFO, among others.
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| Vice President – General Secretary of VUFO, Phan Anh Son, presents a report at the conference (Photo: Thu Ha). |
During the discussion session, representatives of member organizations exchanged experiences and proposed measures to innovate and improve the operational efficiency of the VUFO system.
To conduct foreign affairs activities in the new situation, it is necessary to have new and effective thinking that aligns with new priorities. This includes promoting socio-economic-political development programs, actively participating in building and promoting “soft power,” and increasing international understanding and friendship for Vietnam.
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| Nguyen Duc Hung, Vice President – General Secretary of the Vietnam – Singapore Friendship Association (Photo: Thu Ha) |
Members also emphasized the importance of autonomy and flexibility in the activities of Friendship Associations and the need for continued awareness raising and innovation in people-to-people diplomacy at all levels.
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| Nguyen The Ky, Chairman of the Vietnam Committee for Solidarity and Cooperation with Asia-Africa-Latin America (Photo: Thu Ha). |
Nguyen The Ky highlighted the importance of people-to-people diplomacy and the need for sufficient funding to support its operations at home and abroad.
In her closing speech, President of VUFO, Nguyen Phuong Nga, expressed her belief that the conference marked a new milestone in the activities of VUFO and called for unity and effective implementation of people-to-people diplomacy.
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| President of VUFO, Nguyen Phuong Nga, gives a closing speech at the conference (Photo: Thu Ha). |
The standing body of VUFO will collect and learn from the opinions and conclusions from the conference to improve operational efficiency and prepare for the 7th National Congress of Deputies for the 2024-2029 term.
President Nguyen Phuong Nga urged the entire VUFO system to be united in awareness and action and to actively implement people-to-people diplomacy to serve the country’s development goals.
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“This year I will…”
Unions of Friendship Organizations of many provinces and cities are having specific strategies and plans for 2023. The Vietnam Times would like to introduce some of the main goals that localities set for people-to-people diplomacy work in the upcoming year.
