Seminar on “The Scientific Foundations of People-to-People Diplomacy in the World”
	Seminar: Promotes Diplomacy and Deeper Global Integration in New Era

Participants at the seminar included experts, scholars, and managers in the fields of foreign affairs, political theory, and people-to-people diplomacy: Dong Huy Cuong, Vice President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations and Scientific Secretary of the project; Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, former President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations; Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Viet Thao, former Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, President of the Viet Nam-Venezuela Friendship Association, Standing Vice President of the Viet Nam-Cuba Friendship Association, a principal member of the research project, and Chair of the seminar.

The seminar “Trends in the development of people-to-people diplomacy worldwide and implications for Viet Nam.” (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

The event also saw the participation of speakers and researchers from the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, the Communist Review, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Viet Nam National University, Hanoi), and the Academy of Journalism and Communication; as well as representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front, socio-political organizations, people’s organizations, friendship associations, and related agencies.

In his opening remarks, Dong Huy Cuong noted that the world is currently operating in a state of both increasing connectivity and deep fragmentation across political, economic, and science-technology dimensions. Domestically, Viet Nam’s position and strength continue to be consolidated; the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam has reaffirmed and elevated foreign affairs and international integration, including people-to-people diplomacy.

According to him, people-to-people diplomacy is always closely linked to the international context and the country’s development trajectory. Practice has shown that the support and cooperation of international friends constitute an important resource for peace, friendship, and development. In the new context, alongside the rapid growth of global social movements and digital technologies, this area of work needs to shift more strongly toward greater proactiveness, flexibility, and effectiveness.

At the seminar, presentations focused on analyzing the global landscape and trends in the evolution of people’s movements. Participants agreed that the international context is changing rapidly and unpredictably; science and technology, especially digital transformation, are reshaping global connectivity, while globalization is adjusting toward a more pragmatic direction.

In this context, people-to-people diplomacy continues to serve as an important channel for enhancing mutual understanding, building trust, and mobilizing international resources, while also requiring greater capacity for adaptation and innovation in operational methods.

Presentations and discussions at the seminar proposed strengthening coordination among foreign affairs channels; ensuring synchronized implementation from the central to local levels; and renewing thinking toward proactiveness, creativity, practicality, and effectiveness. The focus is on expanding and deepening partner networks; linking people-to-people diplomacy with development fields such as the economy, science and technology, education, environment, and digital transformation. In addition, there is a need to improve the quality of research, forecasting, and advisory work; promote the application of technology; bring into play the role of intellectuals, reputable individuals, and the younger generation; and diversify resources while expanding multilateral cooperation.

In his concluding remarks, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Viet Thao emphasized that people’s and social movements worldwide are developing strongly, diversely, and increasingly playing a significant role in international political life. This requires Viet Nam to promptly renew its thinking and approaches; proactively identify and connect with appropriate partners; and address limitations in mechanisms and operational methods in order to enhance the effectiveness of people-to-people diplomacy in the new period.

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