Provincial Union of Friendship Organizations: 20 years of construction and development

Through the connection of the Provincial Union of Friendship Organizations, the White Flower Organization (France) gives gifts to children in difficult circumstances in Ninh Giang district.

Where cultures intersect

20 years ago, on February 19, 2002, the Provincial Union of Friendship Organizations was established. The Union currently has over 4,100 members, operating in 12 member friendship associations, 1 Friendship Cooperation Center to maintain and expand relations with Laos, Russia, France, Germany, North Korea, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Cambodia, Cuba, Italy, and China.

Over the years, the union and its members have actively participated in the province's foreign affairs activities. The union actively promotes friendly relations with friendly countries, maintains regular connections with embassies and celebrates major holidays of the countries. In 2013, a representative of the union joined the provincial delegation to attend the France-Vietnam Decentralized Cooperation Conference. The delegation worked with the Seine-Saint-Denis Provincial Council and signed a friendship cooperation agreement. The delegation also visited and worked with the Hai Duong Association in several European countries, encouraging people to organize activities towards their homeland.

Member associations also have their own activities, actively contributing to the overall results of the union. The Center for Friendship Cooperation cooperates with Hai Duong University and Hai Duong Central College of Pharmacy to support and manage students from Vientiane province (Laos) studying at the schools; give gifts to students on the occasion of the traditional New Year of the two countries; promptly transfer living expenses provided by the province, helping students feel secure in studying during the epidemic.

On National Day and holidays, the Vietnam - France Friendship Association of the province regularly organizes cultural and artistic exchange activities between members, officials and staff of the French Embassy in Vietnam, singing and speaking contests in French, folk games and dancing for students learning French at high schools in the province.

The Vietnam - Korea Friendship Association of the province also organizes many exchange activities and visits to learn from the experiences of the two countries. In 2017, the association coordinated with the Provincial People's Committee and the Provincial Industrial Park Management Board to welcome a delegation from the Seoul City Administration Department to visit and attend the Con Son - Kiep Bac Spring Festival. The association regularly coordinates with the union to organize for students of the "Interesting Class" project sponsored by Good People International (GPI) to visit and learn about some Korean-invested enterprises in the province.

The activities of the union and its member associations have helped Hai Duong people and people of each country understand more about each other's historical traditions, culture, and landscapes.

The Center for Friendship Cooperation (Provincial Union of Friendship Organizations) coordinated with sponsors to start construction of a classroom in Co Bi commune (Binh Giang).

Diversified humanitarian and charitable activities

In addition to social activities, the Union of Friendship Organizations and its members also actively coordinate with foreign non-governmental organizations to carry out humanitarian charity activities, support the construction of public works in the province, contributing to further affirming the close relationship between Hai Duong and other countries. Since its establishment, the union has worked with nearly 20 foreign organizations, calling for hundreds of projects worth about 95 billion VND to be implemented in the province.

The Union has coordinated with GPI Organization (Korea) to build Kenh Giang Commune Kindergarten (now Van Duc Ward, Chi Linh) worth 1.2 billion VND. The Provincial People's Committee has designated this project as "Vietnam-Korea Friendship Project". Dai Duc Kindergarten (Kim Thanh) worth 3.2 billion VND was also sponsored by the above organization. In addition, this organization also provides monthly support to 250 poor children in the area in 2020 and 2021.

In the face of the complicated developments of the Covid-19 pandemic, in 2021, the association connected with the Tzu Chi Organization (Taiwan) to support medical supplies with a total value of VND 840 million for the Covid-19 Prevention and Control Steering Committee of the province, Kinh Mon town and Kim Thanh district. In 2020 and 2021, this organization also awarded 716 scholarships with a total value of over VND 1 billion to students in the province.

From 2015 to present, in addition to seeking support and sponsorship from sister localities with Hai Duong, the union has also coordinated with GPI to implement the project "Interesting Classroom" for students at Hai Duong University.

Many disadvantaged and disabled people have been cared for by the Union and non-governmental organizations to improve their quality of life. The Union has mobilized the Humanitarian Wheelchair Mission and the Children's Return Organization to sponsor more than 800 wheelchairs worth over 52,000 USD for students in difficult circumstances.

With continuous efforts, in 2009 and 2021, the Provincial Union of Friendship Organizations was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations for its outstanding achievements in activities.

NGUYEN VAN NHANG
Vice President of the Provincial Union of Friendship Organizations