The University of Social Sciences and Humanities successfully co-organized the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Propaganda Conference.

Wednesday - August 24, 2022 04:26

On the morning of August 24, 2022, at the 8th floor Hall, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) held the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Propaganda Conference. The conference was jointly organized by the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

Attending the Conference on the side of the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs were Ms. Nguyen Thi Ha (Deputy Minister), Dr. Ha Thi Minh Duc (Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation); the Ministry of Industry and Trade had Ms. Nguyen Thi Quynh Nga (Deputy Director of the Department of Multilateral Trade Policy); the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had Mr. Ngo Tuan Anh (Head of the Political - Security Department, ASEAN Department), along with many delegates from the Ministries of Natural Resources and Environment, Education and Training, Agriculture and Rural Development, Health, etc.

On the side of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, there were Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan (Rector), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Thanh Truong (Vice Rector), representatives of leaders of faculties/departments; and more than 200 students of the school.

The event attracted the attention of many central and Hanoi news agencies and newspapers to attend and report: Voice of Vietnam Television (VOVTV), National Assembly Television, Dan Tri Electronic Newspaper, Education and Times Newspaper,...

In her opening remarks, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ha shared about the role of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community in building peaceful, stable and sustainable developing nations of each country as well as the whole region. This activity is particularly meaningful, as a re-launch of strong communication activities about the goals of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community after a period of severe impact of the pandemic worldwide. The Deputy Minister of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs welcomed this event held at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, one of the leading universities in social sciences in the country. Therefore, with students directly participating in these events, grasping the latest information about the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community will contribute to raising awareness about ASEAN. We believe that students with youthful enthusiasm, well-trained knowledge, and political courage cultivated during their time at school will take strong actions to spread the achievements and issues of ASEAN to every citizen and to friends around the world, contributing to helping Vietnam fulfill its responsibilities in the ASEAN Community.

MG 1322 — *Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Ha delivered the opening speech at the Conference.*

Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Ha also happily shared: “In recent years of implementing the “Project on building and implementing the Plan to implement the goals of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community by 2025”, ministries, sectors, socio-political organizations, educational organizations; and localities have all developed action plans with the task of raising awareness and promoting ASEAN in general and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community in particular. Therefore, according to the ASEAN Awareness Survey organized by ASEAN in 2018, Vietnam achieved quite impressive numbers with 44% having knowledge about ASEAN compared to 23% of ASEAN as a whole; 87% of Vietnamese people have optimistic thoughts about the future of ASEAN, while this rate for ASEAN countries in general is 78%”.

Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan (Principal of the University) in his welcoming speech at the Conference expressed his joy and gratitude when the University was selected by the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs as the coordinating unit to organize a topical event in the series of activities celebrating the 40th anniversary of Vietnam becoming a member of the ASEAN Community - a community established objectively and naturally on the foundation of developing long-standing traditional cultural values. The Socio-Cultural Community is one of the three pillars of ASEAN, from the development of culture and society will contribute greatly to the stability of security - politics and economic development, improving the quality of life of each citizen. In the current context, the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community has clearly demonstrated its determination in connecting people with people, taking people as the center. As an active member, Vietnam has been participating deeply, widely and comprehensively, demonstrating a high sense of responsibility in promoting cooperation in many fields among countries in the ASEAN Community. At this conference, researchers, teachers, especially students of the school will listen to experts sharing on ASEAN cooperation issues, thereby improving understanding, awareness and orienting practical actions for a Vietnam and ASEAN community rich in identity and sustainable development.

MG 1338 — *Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan (Rector of University of Social Sciences and Humanities)*

Within the framework of the Conference, delegates listened to expert Ngo Tuan Anh - Head of the Political - Security Department, ASEAN Department (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) share about the current situation of ASEAN cooperation in the Political - Security pillar and some notable issues in ASEAN cooperation of Vietnam. The Conference also focused on the discussion of Vietnam's ASEAN economic integration process, advantages, challenges and solutions; ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community with current focuses and priorities; Human resource development and skills training presented by Ms. Ha Thi Minh Duc, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs - Representative of SOCA Vietnam; Student exchange programs in ASEAN...

MG 1377 — *Mr. Ngo Tuan Anh - Head of Political - Security Department, ASEAN Department (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)*

MG 1396 — *Ms. Nguyen Thi Quynh Nga (Deputy Director of Multilateral Trade Policy Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade) discussed the process of Vietnam's economic integration with ASEAN.*

MG 1364 — *Ms. Ha Thi Minh Duc, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, discussed at the Conference.*

The delegates' speeches also pointed out that the relationship between the three pillars of ASEAN (politics, economics, culture - society) is a very close interaction. The stability of the political situation and economic development are the basis and premise for the socio-cultural development of each country as well as the ASEAN Community in general. And conversely, the development of diverse culture, stable and progressive society is the resource for economic development, maintaining security and political stability. The ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community as well as each country, with specific strategies, make every effort to build a common community of peace, political stability, economic strength, cultural diversity and social progress.

The conference also listened to many students exchange, as well as ask questions to experts about the opportunities and challenges for Vietnam as well as other countries in the context after the Covid-19 pandemic, the rapid development of information technology; adaptation of the young generation, opportunities for learning environment, job search in the region and many other social issues that young people are very interested in. A student majoring in Southeast Asian Studies shared: “Since high school and university, we have learned a lot of knowledge about Southeast Asia and ASEAN. But I really found this conference extremely useful because we had the opportunity to directly exchange and meet with experts in the fields of politics, economics, society and culture of ASEAN, with very updated figures, in-depth and multi-dimensional analysis. Many of our concerns were discussed very openly and objectively by the experts. We have gained new information, a deeper understanding and identified our roles and responsibilities in spreading and promoting the culture of Vietnam and ASEAN to friends around the world. We especially found it more useful and joyful that the managers from agencies such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs were willing to support us in finding information during our scientific research, or internship, practical and job opportunities after we graduated. I graduated.

MG 1384 — *The conference is a valuable opportunity for students to directly exchange their understanding and some issues of student concern about the ASEAN Community.*

Concluding the Conference, Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan once again expressed his gratitude for being interested and favored by ministries and departments to be chosen as the coordinating unit to organize this large and important event. In today's conference, a lot of updated information, macro-level, many fields, many analyses were presented, data, ... accordingly, in the new context there are many opportunities but also many challenges for Vietnam. Those shares have helped students have new perceptions, know their own responsibilities and opportunities, orient their study and research plans in the coming time. Rector Hoang Anh Tuan also expressed his hope that in the coming time, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities will continue to receive the support and attention of ministries and departments to implement cooperation activities in the fields of training, scientific research, and innovation.