Kien Giang: Numerous Initiatives in People-to-People Diplomacy

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As a core organization in hosting activities that promote peace, solidarity, friendship, cooperation, and development, the Kien Giang Union of Friendship Organizations and its member associations have introduced several initiatives to collaborate effectively with the province's foreign affairs agencies, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and other provincial departments, agencies, and sectors.

On June 16, 2024, the Kien Giang Union of Friendship Organizations inaugurated six classrooms, 20 computer sets, and a playground at Long Thanh 2 Primary School in Long Thanh Commune, Giong Rieng District, with a total funding of over VND 4.2 billion.

To Van Dan, Vice President of the Kien Giang Union of Friendship Organizations, noted that the Union consistently prioritizes cultural exchange and friendship activities. Since 2020, the Union has received 138 delegations, including embassies, consulates general in Ho Chi Minh City, donors, social organizations, and charities, totaling 1,602 individuals, of whom 451 were foreigners.

The Union has sent 138 congratulatory letters on the national days and anniversaries of establishing diplomatic relations between Vietnam and countries establishing consulates general in Ho Chi Minh City.

In particular, during countries' significant anniversaries, the Union and its member associations sent visiting delegations and congratulatory flowers to various consulates general, calling for increased attention to specific programs and projects in Kien Giang.

The Kien Giang Union of Friendship Organizations maintains relations and cooperation with 15 foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs), foreign diplomatic representatives in Ho Chi Minh City, overseas Vietnamese, and other domestic and international organizations and individuals.

Over the past five years, the Union has received numerous delegations that have been surveying and implementing projects in Vietnam. Reception and management of visiting delegations are strictly conducted following State and provincial regulations.

The Union serves as a pivotal entity for mobilizing and facilitating aid from NGOs. To date, it has implemented 72 foreign-funded non-governmental projects, with a total aid and disbursement value of nearly VND 50 billion.

In alignment with the "Tet for Soldiers and People" activities, which support local efforts in poverty reduction, rural development, military support, and social welfare, the Union has mobilized aid from various organizations, individuals, and philanthropists.

Moreover, it has provided timely support to residents in border and island areas affected by the pandemic. The Union’s mobilization of domestic and international aid has resulted in a total commitment and disbursement value exceeding VND 40 billion.

Member associations have also mobilized local businesses to support social and humanitarian initiatives, including constructing rural bridges and roads, providing gifts and scholarships to underprivileged students, offering free medical exams and treatments to the poor in remote areas, and carrying out various charitable activities. These efforts have led to a total disbursement of over VND 263 billion.

The Kien Giang Union of Friendship Organizations has expanded its external communication activities, enhancing the content, methods, and quality of its outreach. Specifically, the Union has developed its website; aired and published people-to-people diplomacy news on Kien Giang Radio and Television, and Kien Giang Newspaper; and issued the "Friendship and Cooperation" special publication distributed to various provincial departments and other unions nationwide.

Through its projects, the Union, along with local governments, has actively informed sponsors about the Party and State’s foreign policy, promoting the province’s achievements in social welfare, and poverty alleviation, and calling for the support of overseas Vietnamese to assist local residents.

Vice President of the Kien Giang Union of Friendship Organizations To Van Dan stated that over the years, the province has actively encouraged overseas Vietnamese and residents with family members abroad to contribute to the development of their homeland.

Through participating in the gatherings in the Lunar New Year, expatriates and their families gain insights into the province's policies, while expressing satisfaction with the local economic, cultural, social, and security developments. Many activities also contribute to assisting underprivileged residents in the province.

Recently, thanks to the attention of the Party and State, particularly the leadership of the Kien Giang Provincial Party Committee and the Kien Giang People's Committee, work related to overseas Vietnamese has made significant strides, strengthening national unity.

This has encouraged Vietnamese communities abroad, particularly those from Kien Giang, to foster national pride, support others, preserve their cultural heritage, and maintain close ties with their homeland.

To date, over 31,800 Kien Giang natives reside in 95 countries and territories, including more than 20,000 intellectuals, cooperative workers, and students. The largest populations reside in the United States, Canada, France, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.

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