According to a report on policies for ethnic minorities in the 2011-2015 period, mountainous areas make up nearly three quarters of the country. They are home to 53 ethnic minority groups with nearly 12.3 million people, accounting for approx. 14.2 percent of the population of the country. To date, these areas remain the most impoverished of the country. The rate of poverty and hunger is much higher here than the average national rate, with a big gap between the rich and the poor, a low literacy rate, and several traditional cultures being at risk of being lost to oblivion.
In his speech, Deputy-Head of the Committee Phan Van Hung said that the Party and State have always defined this matter and the services for ethnic minorities as well as solidarity among ethnic minorities as an important strategic position in the national revolutionary cause and so have made important policies for ethnic minorities.
Despite many approved policies, their efficiency has not been high and resources for policy realization have not been enough to meet the set targets.
“The seminar aims to make clear what has been done and point out shortcomings and reasons, draw lessons from policy implementation. After that, a system of policies for ethnic minorities in the 2016-2020 period is hoped to be proposed to be in line with real situations”, said Hung.
In order to develop human resources for ethnic minorities and mountainous areas, Associate Professor Nguyen Khanh Quac, former Rector of Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry, gave suggestions that the State should invest more in infrastructure in the areas and that authorities at all levels should apply special policies for the contingent of cadres and teachers working in the areas to encourage them to have a longer stay and even settle down in the areas.
Quac also advised localities to actively send students of ethnic minorities and mountainous areas to study abroad to acquire advanced science and technology of the host countries to later serve their hometowns.
Also at the seminar, delegates heard speeches on improving quality of health checkups and treatment for ethnic minorities; finding, fostering and supporting ethnic minority talents of literature and arts; bringing into full play the role of village patriarchs and prestigious people; and sharing experiences in developing the household economy.
Translated by Mai Huong