National Scientific Conference on Social Development Management

The workshop was attended by Ms. Caitlin Wiesen (United Nations Development Program - UNDP), Mr. Peng Shi Tuan (Chinese Embassy in Vietnam), Associate Professor Dr. Pham Van Linh (Vice Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council), Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim (Party Secretary, Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities), Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh (Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities).

Along with economic growth, social development management plays an important role, contributing to promoting rapid and sustainable development of the country. Social development management is the process of implementing social policies and programs to solve social problems, thereby promoting sustainable and equitable development. These problems are related to social security, social welfare, basic social services, social equality, security and social harmony, income and poverty reduction... If social problems are not effectively resolved, the country's development process will face many risks and be slowed down.

The Political Report of the 11th Party Central Committee at the 12th National Party Congress acknowledged Vietnam's achievements in social development management over the past 30 years, such as: implementing good policies on poverty reduction targets; improving the quality of human resources; paying attention to implementing policies for people with meritorious services to continuously improve people's lives and incomes. However, the Report also pointed out limitations and shortcomings such as: poverty reduction is not sustainable; the gap between rich and poor and inequality tends to increase; there are no timely policies and solutions for the polarization of rich and poor and social stratification.

The workshop “Managing social development in the context of market economic development, international integration and the current 4.0 industrial revolution” was held to analyze and evaluate the current situation, strengths and weaknesses of social development management activities in Vietnam. Thereby, drawing lessons, experiences and proposing solutions and recommendations to improve and promote this work in the new context and situation.

Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh presented the introductory report.

At the workshop, Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh presented a report entitled “Towards a sustainable social development management model in Vietnam”. The report pointed out the main social issues in Vietnam today such as the polarization of the rich and the poor due to the lack of quick and timely resources; shortcomings in vocational training and job creation; lack of coordination mechanisms in insurance work... According to the report, the main cause of social issues is the lack of equal participation and contribution of non-state actors in regulating and managing these issues. From there, the report proposed a shift from the social development management model to social development governance, in which there is equal participation, cooperation and shared responsibility among the three main parties: government, market and society. The report concluded with recommendations to reform Vietnam's political institutions, towards enhancing accountability, transparency and consistency in law enforcement.

Ms. Caitlin Wiesen presented the report “PAPI: trends in meeting people's expectations over the past 10 years and implications for the future”

After the introductory report, the workshop continued with 7 reports: "Innovation in development management for social security and human security" (Prof. Dr. Pham Tat Dong - Vietnam Association for Promoting Education); "PAPI: trends in meeting people's expectations in the past 10 years and implications for the future" (Ms. Caitlin Wiesen - United Nations Development Program - UNDP); "Management of social development and human security in the context of market economic development, building a rule-of-law state and international integration" (Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Tuan Anh - University of Social Sciences and Humanities); "Learning about development and governance in Chinese society" (Mr. Peng The Doan - Chinese Embassy in Vietnam); "The role of social community in social development management - lessons from tradition" (Prof. Dr. Dang Canh Khanh - Institute for Traditional and Development Studies); “Development and management of social development: experiences of some Southeast Asian countries and suggested lessons for Vietnam” (Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duy Dung - Institute of Southeast Asian Studies); “Impacts of climate change and current strategies for social development management in Vietnam” (Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huu Khien - National Academy of Public Administration).