Urbanization and rural development

On August 25th, a workshop on the state-level independent research project "The Impact of Urbanization on Rural Development in the Period 2011-2020: Theoretical Issues and Methodological Approaches" was held. This project is chaired by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Ba Thinh (Director of the Center for Population and Social Work Research - University of Social Sciences and Humanities).The workshop was attended by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim (Vice Rector of the University), and scientists and researchers from universities and research institutes. The participating scientists contributed to the discussion on the impacts of urbanization on rural development during the period 2011-2020, approaching the issues from both theoretical and methodological perspectives. Prof. Dr. To Duy Hop – Vietnam Sociological Association emphasized that in the process of linking social policies with current rural development practices, the approach and methodology used in the research can be considered a crucial factor determining the effectiveness and feasibility of the policies. Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Ba Thinh's research on the impact of urbanization on rural areas focuses on the following topics: the basic viewpoints of the Party and State on urban planning and urbanization, the basic viewpoints of the Party and State on rural development and new rural construction, urbanization in some ASEAN countries... In the topic: a comparison of new rural construction policies between South Korea and Vietnam, Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Ba Thinh presented several lessons for Vietnam from the success of the South Korean New Village Movement, namely: building a development workforce in rural areas; training rural development for officials and intellectuals; stimulating a spirit of competition among villages; the state providing materials, and the people contributing labor... Professor Dr. Le Ngoc Hung (Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Public Administration) presented several viewpoints and social science theories on urbanization and rural development through the following aspects: natural, economic, social, and humanistic. Nguyen Duc Chien (Institute of Sociology) presented several theories on agricultural and rural development: emphasizing the role of agriculture in preparing for industrialization, advocating for agricultural societies to "jump directly" into urban industrialization, and harmonizing agriculture and industry, rural and urban areas in the development process... The state-level independent research project "The Impact of Urbanization on Rural Development in the Period 2011-2020: Theoretical Issues and Methodological Approaches," led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Ba Thinh, was carried out over two years, 2010-2011. Following a workshop on theoretical issues and methodological approaches, a workshop on survey and practical issues will also be organized in the near future. The project is expected to be completed and accepted by the end of this year.