Managing socio-cultural diversity

In his opening remarks at the seminar, the Canadian Ambassador emphasized the positive cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Canada over the past 40 years. Bilateral relations between the two countries have been further strengthened in recent years, with two-way trade exceeding $2 billion. Canada is currently home to 200,000 people of Vietnamese origin. Ambassador David Devine also stated that promoting the value of Canadian education will continue to be a priority for the Canadian government in Vietnam. Considering education as a key area of ​​cooperation in the bilateral relationship to foster intellectual innovation and mutual understanding, Canada supports the development of cooperation between higher education institutions in both countries, as well as the development of research programs on Canada in Vietnam.

Regarding the main topic of the seminar, the Ambassador provided further information: Canada was also the first country in the world to implement a state policy on multiculturalism. The inclusive, dynamic, and multicultural nature of its society has become the core of Canadian national identity and a source of pride for the Canadian people.

Associate Professor Pham Quang Minh (Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities) expressed his deep gratitude on behalf of the university's leadership for the Ambassador's presence and support for the university's scientific activities in particular and its development in general. This was the university's third seminar related to Canadian studies, focusing on the very meaningful topic of socio-cultural diversity. In fact, Canada has been very successful in addressing issues related to socio-cultural diversity. Vietnam, also a multicultural country with 54 ethnic groups, faces many issues related to cultural diversity in the process of national renewal and modernization. This seminar is an opportunity to exchange information, enabling Vietnam to learn from Canada's experience in managing socio-cultural diversity, with the main idea being tolerance, respect for cultures, building mutual understanding, and aiming to establish principles for cultures to thrive and contribute to the overall development of society.

Following the opening session, the specific topics discussed at the seminar included: the role of media in preserving Canadian cultural identity; the management of Canadian higher education and lessons for Vietnam; the Vietnamese community in Canada – the harmonization of Vietnamese and Canadian cultural identities; and preserving Canadian cultural identity in relations with other countries.