(VNF) - Over 30 years of establishment and development, the Khanh Hoa Union of Friendship Organisations’ people-to-people diplomacy has achieved numerous positive outcomes in multiple fields, contributing to strengthen the friendship solidarity between the people in the province and international friends.

Diversifying foreign affairs activities

Established on August 15^th, 1987 with the initial name as Friendship Association of countries and people, later officially renamed Khanh Hoa Union of Friendship Organisations (KHUFO). For 30 years of establishment and putting into operation, the Union has established, strengthened mutual understanding and developed ties of solidarity and friendship, between the province and international friends, embassies, consulates and international organisations. At the same time, organising many cultural exchange programs to propagate and nurture the friendship solidarity and cooperation, promoting the image of the country and people of Vietnam in general and Khanh Hoa in particular to international friends.

According to KHUFO President Ly Ba Lin, over past the time, the Union has maintained traditional peace and friendship activities attracting board participation of international friends. Through this, the relations between Vietnam and foreign partners have been persified and vigorously multilateralised.

Many people-to-people diplomacy activities are carried out in all fields in a meaningful and practical manner such as ASEAN+1 Camp; the Vietnam - Japan Day; Laos - Cambodia – Thailand traditional New Year festival; French National Day celebration; French-language singing festival in Central Vietnam and Central Highlands.

The Khanh Hoa Union of Friendship Organisations and the Secours Populaire Francais give presents to students of Anh Dao Kindergarten (Khanh Son district).

At present, there are about 60 foreign non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating in the province, of which 10 organisations have offices in Nha Trang city. In addition, there are nearly 200 Lao and Cambodian students studying in provincial academies, universities, etc.

In order to fulfill its missons in broadcasting external information, from 2014, the Union’s website has been established and the friendship newsletter has been published in 2016. The English version of the website has been published at the beginning of 2017. The press organisations of the Union have been renewed, enhanced in appearance, quality content to be widely read.

The Union regularly updates articles on its activities, its member units as well as other information regarding international affairs inside and outside the province. This is the most effective way to provide information and promote the activities of the Union in particular, the image of provincial external activities in general to the provinces, cities in the country and across the globe; contributing to strengthen the friendship, solidarity and cooperation between Khanh Hoa and overseas Vietnamese communities, international friends and countries.

Focusing on social security activities

Along with that, the KHUFO paid special attention to strengthening its structure and the development of member associations. So far, the Union has established and maintained the activities of 8 branch friendship associations such as Vietnam - Russia; Vietnam - China; Vietnam - German; Vietnam – Japan and Vietnam – Cambodia friendship associations as well as Overseas Vietnamese Liaison Committee; Yersin Admirers' Association and provincial UNESCO Association.

Mobilizing the strength and resources of member associations, the KHUFO has organised many social activities over the years, which focusing on poverty reduction, education, clean water supply, improvement of health care and child care. The Special Aid Program focuses on the poor, remote and isolated areas and increasingly placing more emphasis on areas that are in line with the province's priorities and orientations for socio-economic development.

Le Liseron de France Association awarded scholarships in Khanh Hoa.

According to statistics, over the past 30 years, NGOs in Khanh Hoa have conducted projects and non-projects with a total disbursement of USD 30 million.

From 2006 up to now, there are 55 to 70 NGOs which comes from the Netherlands, USA, Belgium, UK, Denmark, France, Norway and Korea contributing charity and development programmes in the province. There're other multilateral organisations such as the United Nations, World Bank and overseas Vietnamese communities from all over the world.

Since 2006, the total value of NGO assistance for projects and non-projects in the province has reached approximately USD 24 million. In addition, the scholarships for poor students and low-income people of NGOs such as the Les Amis de Nha Trang, Atlantic Philanthropies and L'APPEL are maintained annually.

"In the coming time, we will continue to expand our diplomatic network, promoting people-to-people relations, strengthening the ties between Khanh Hoa province and international friends. In addition, we will actively mobilize foreign resources to invest and sponsor provincial social security projects, contributing to the local socio-economic development," KHUFO President Ly Ba Lin said./.

Translated by Minh Chau