Bright Spots of Local Peace Committees Across Vietnam

Diversifying activities

During the 2013-2020 tenure, the Peace Committee of Hanoi actively coordinated with the Vietnam Peace Committee and other local Peace Committees as well as organizations under the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) to organize peace and friendship activities, helping to raise the efficiency of people-to-people diplomacy.

The activities included painting contests with the participation of local children and embassies, requiems ceremonies for soldiers who died during the B-52 bombing campaign by the US, runs for peace and children, and dialogues.

The municipal Peace Committee also joined hands with the Vietnam Peace Committee in enhancing the solidarity and friendship between Vietnamese and people around the world.

Notably, in 2015, it collected more than 1.1 million signatures in support of Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin victims and nuclear disarmament.

A requiem ceremony for soldiers and residents in Hanoi who were killed by B-52 bombers of the US and the Covid-19 pandemic, at the Ba Da Pagoda in the city. Photo: the Vietnam Peace Committee

Meanwhile, activities held by the HCM City Peace Committee have drawn public attention, especially youths, in building a peace culture, and promoted their sense of responsibility for peace building and keeping.

The committee launched painting contests on peace, collected signatures against nuclear weapons and in support for peace, and coordinated to organize a series of “Together striving for peace” events, among others.

With the support of the HCM City Union of Friendship Organisation (HUFO), and the sponsorship of UNESCO Vietnam and UNICEF Vietnam, the committee organized HCM City Peace Culture Day in 2018 with the theme of “For a non-violent society.” The program was intended to promote key values of the peace culture through the activities of more than 30 organizations.

The event saw the participation of the UNESCO Representative to Vietnam, Consul Generals of foreign countries to HCM City, representatives from HCM City and its adjacent cities, and more than 2,500 people working and living in the southern metropolis and foreign visitors.

Over 109,700 people accessed the Facebook page of the HCM City Peace and Development Foundation (HPDF) and some 2,400 left comments.

The program was covered by VTV3, VTC10, Nhan dan (People) TV and the city television channel, and more than 25 articles.

Calling for the involvement of different economic sectors in poverty reduction

The Peace Committee of the northern port city of Hai Phong has also rolled out peace activities and collaborated with central agencies in line with the local reality.

The committee celebrated anniversaries and observed international events for peace, attracting the participation of the public, while calling for international support and the involvement of different economic sectors in poverty reduction, environmental protection, climate change response, child protection, and support for dioxin victims.

To encourage people to join global and regional peacekeeping campaigns and contribute to spurring local socio-economic development in a sustainable manner, the committee and its member organizations carried out a range of pragmatic activities in the locality, focusing on key issues in the peace work.

The committee played a role in the launch of charity programs to assist flood victims, Japanese people affected by earthquakes, tsunami, and radiation exposure due to the nuclear accident and AO victims, and in the fight against social evils.

It collected thousands of signatures against nuclear weapons in 2015 and took part in tree planting and protection, and mangrove forest projects in the city, contributing to preserving the maritime environment.

After being consolidated, the committee has operated flexibly, ensuring peace work in the city. A network of its member organizations has been formed, bringing together people who work for peace, solidarity, and friendship.

The Peace Committee of the central city of Da Nang has also joined activities launched by the VUFO, the Vietnam Peace Committee, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in the city, the Da Nang Union of Friendship Organisations, and relevant agencies in the locality.

Such activities have helped to bolster the solidarity and friendship between Vietnamese and regional peoples, and raise their understanding about the land and people of Vietnam and Da Nang in particular in the context of integration and cooperation, creating a foundation to build a world of peace, stability, and sustainable development.

Photos: Vietnam Peace Committee, VUFO Pray for Peace The Vietnam Peace Committee held a ceremony to pray for national and world peace.

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