The international scientific conference on the theme "Reassessing Social Welfare: Redistribution Models in Northern Europe and East Asia in a Global Context" was organized by the Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities in collaboration with Lund University (Sweden) and the Institute for European Studies (Chinese Academy of Social Sciences) on April 8-9, 2013.Scientists from universities and research institutes in Sweden, China, and Vietnam discussed key issues: social security and welfare systems in different countries, the characteristics and outcomes of social security and welfare policies in a global context, and the development of social security and welfare policies in Vietnam. The conference presentations emphasized the crucial role of social security and welfare policies within the national policy system. The purpose of social security and welfare policies is to maintain economic, political, and social stability, reduce inequality, wealth disparity, and social stratification, ensure a decent standard of living for citizens, develop human resources, and foster consensus among social groups in the development process.
Discussing different social welfare systems in the context of globalization, Professor Zhou Hong (Chinese Academy of Social Sciences) argued that while different countries have cultural and political differences, they also face similar challenges in the process of globalization, particularly in providing social welfare. Associate Professor Kjell Nilson and Associate Professor Magnus Ring (Lund University, Sweden) addressed social policy in relation to different development contexts by comparing redistribution models in Northern Europe and East Asia within a global context. The report highlighted the contrast between the parameters of emerging social welfare situations in China and Vietnam and the path of social welfare development in Sweden. The reports also focused on surveying and analyzing specific issues related to social security and social welfare policies in Vietnam: “Vietnam’s Health Insurance Policy” – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Kim Hoa, (University of Social Sciences and Humanities), “Child Violence and the Role of the Community/Residential Area in Hanoi, Vietnam” – Dr. Nguyen Trung Hai (University of Labour and Social Affairs), “The model of the social welfare state and social assistance policies of the current Vietnamese State” – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Chi Dung (Institute of Sociology, Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Public Administration)… Simultaneously, proposals were made for social and welfare policies aimed at social progress and equity: “Ensuring social security rights for the goal of human development” – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mai Quynh Nam (Institute of Human Studies, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences), “Social insurance for rural people” – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Ba Thinh (University of Social Sciences and Humanities)... Other discussions at the conference also exchanged and shared international experiences contributing to the development and improvement of the social security and welfare system in Vietnam. This conference also provides an opportunity for researchers and science managers from universities and research institutes in Vietnam, Northern Europe, and Southeast Asia to establish an international network for research on social security and social welfare.
