(VNF) - It is necessary and important for the Vietnam Peace and Development Foundation (VPDF) to rejuvenate its members, heard a meeting in Hanoi, on July 3^th, to review the foundation’s work in the first six months of 2018 and outline tasks for the second half of the year.

Mme. Nguyen Thi Binh, former Vice President of Vietnam, VPDF Chairwoman speaks at the meeting. (Photos: VNF)

In the first six months of 2018, the foundation has effectively organised many activities to promote peace, solidarity, friendship and cooperation among countries; focusing on research for climate change, sustainable development, peace and security.

The foundation took advantage of favourable international conditions to support national construction and continuously raise Vietnam’s international status. It actively maintained and improved VPDF’s image and role at the multilateral forums such as AEPF, APF, ECOSOC, AICHR.

The foundation’s efforts have also actively contributed to the world people’s movements for peace, independence, democracy and social progress. In coordination with the Germany’s Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung and the Quang Tri People's Committee, the VPDF successfully held the international seminar entitled "People's Solidarity for Peace - Security and Sustainable Development". Participants in the workshop focused on issues such as identifying people's unity for peace-security and sustainable development; international solidarity; the peace and solidarity movements in Vietnam and its close ties with the international peace and solidarity movements; solutions and actions to enhance the solidarity of the international people; the idea of ​​annual "Vietnam Peace Day" in Quang Tri province proposed by Mme. Binh, VPDF Chairwoman. A number of prominent scholars, researchers and social activists in and outside the country have expressed their interest and expressed their support for this idea.

Delegates share their opinions at the meeting.

Besides the achievements reaped in the first six months of 2018, delegates also agreed that there are several areas for improvements such as the limited capability in mobilising sponsorships, insufficient commucation and collaboration within the foundation's members and lack of young and capable personnel, etc.

Of research topics, attention would be given to climate change, sustainable development, peace and security, other issues related to the global crises, and their impacts on Vietnam, etc.; sustained publication of external information through maintaining and improving the quality of the foundation's website; raised public awreness, especially among younger generations, of peace and related activities, as well as conducted research work and active participation in national, regional and international events.

The foundation should focus more on the preparatory works related to the upcoming fourth Congress for the 2018-2023 tenure and increase capable and enthusiastic members, said Nguyen Thị Hoang Van, Director of People-to-People Diplomacy Department (under the Party Central Committee Commission for External Relations) cum Vice President of the foundation./.

VNF