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The seminar aimed to clarify the scientific and theoretical foundations of people-to-people diplomacy worldwide; analyze its constituent elements, criteria for evaluating effectiveness, and methods of organization and implementation; and thereby contribute to building a theoretical basis for proposing orientations and solutions to enhance the effectiveness of Vietnam’s people-to-people diplomacy in the new period.

Dong Huy Cuong, Vice President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, delivered remarks at the seminar. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Participants included Dong Huy Cuong, Vice President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations and Scientific Secretary of the project; Dr. Dao Ngoc Bau, Director of the Institute of Politics and International Relations at the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, Member of the Standing Committee of the Vietnam-China Friendship Association, and key member of the project; speakers from the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Hanoi), the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, and the Academy of Journalism and Communication; representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, socio-political organizations, people’s organizations, and bilateral friendship associations between Vietnam and other countries; as well as experts, scholars, and leaders and officials from the external relations departments of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations.

In his opening remarks, Dong Huy Cuong noted that the formation and development of people-to-people diplomacy worldwide have been closely linked to global developments, particularly in the modern era, with the rise of peace movements, national liberation movements, progressive social movements, as well as the process of globalization and profound transformations in international relations.

Associate Professor Dr. Thai Van Long (Institute of Politics and International Relations, Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics) presented his paper at the seminar. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

For Vietnam, people-to-people diplomacy has made significant contributions throughout the nation’s historical journey. From the time President Ho Chi Minh set out to seek a path for national salvation to the present day, people-to-people diplomacy has worked in tandem with Party diplomacy and State diplomacy to mobilize broad international support for Vietnam’s two wars of national liberation and reunification, as well as during the period of embargo and isolation, and in the current cause of national construction and development.

However, according to Dong Huy Cuong, to date there has not yet been a comprehensive scientific study addressing both the theoretical and practical aspects of people-to-people diplomacy worldwide as well as in Vietnam. In the context of major and complex changes in the global and regional landscape, conducting comprehensive research in this field is an urgent and essential requirement.

Accordingly, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations has been assigned to implement the national-level research project entitled “Studying people-to-people diplomacy in the world in the new context and proposing solutions for Vietnam.” This seminar is the first of seven thematic components of the project. He expressed confidence that, through the presentations and expert discussions, the seminar would help clarify core theoretical issues while generating valuable approaches and recommendations for the research project as well as for the practical activities of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations.

Dr. Luu Thuy Hong, Deputy Head of the Faculty of International Relations at the Academy of Journalism and Communication, presented her paper. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

The seminar was chaired and moderated by Dr. Dao Ngoc Bau. Delegates received five presentations, including: The historical evolution and transformation of people-to-people diplomacy worldwide (Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thien Thanh, Dean of the Faculty of International Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi); Theoretical frameworks and foundational concepts of people-to-people diplomacy in modern international relations (Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ha Anh Tuan, Dean of the Faculty of International Politics and Diplomacy, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam); The structure and core components of people-to-people diplomacy (Dr. Le Thi Tinh, Institute of Politics and International Relations, Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics); Developing a system of criteria to evaluate the effectiveness of people-to-people diplomacy (Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thai Van Long, Institute of Politics and International Relations, Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics); and Methods and principles for organizing and implementing people-to-people diplomacy in the new context (Dr. Luu Thuy Hong, Deputy Head of the Faculty of International Relations, Academy of Journalism and Communication). The discussions and exchanges further clarified many important practical and theoretical aspects of people-to-people diplomacy.

Dr Dao Ngoc Bau, Director of the Institute of Politics and International Relations under the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, speaks at the event. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

In his concluding remarks, Dr. Dao Ngoc Bau, Director of the Institute of Politics and International Relations under the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, stated that after a focused, serious, and responsible working session, the seminar had achieved its objectives with highly systematic and practical outcomes.

Regarding historical evolution and theoretical frameworks, delegates agreed that people-to-people diplomacy is not a static entity but one that continually evolves alongside the course of history. Establishing a modern theoretical framework that situates people-to-people diplomacy within the organic interplay of overall international relations helps clarify the increasingly significant role of non-state actors in the 21st century.

With respect to structure and components, the seminar clarified the structural layers of people-to-people diplomacy, thereby contributing to a comprehensive understanding of its global profile and laying the groundwork for assessing the current situation in Vietnam.

Concerning the system of criteria and methods of implementation, participants discussed and developed scientifically grounded criteria to evaluate the effectiveness of people-to-people diplomacy, while emphasizing the need to innovate organizational methods in the new context, based on flexible principles while steadfastly upholding the goals of peace and cooperation.

Delegates posed for a commemorative photo. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

According to Dr. Dao Ngoc Bau, the exchanges and outcomes of the seminar have helped clarify the theoretical foundations and create an important basis for formulating solutions to enhance the effectiveness of Vietnam’s people-to-people diplomacy in the coming period. They also provide a foundation for the research team to continue implementing and refining the national-level project.

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