Dialogue with the people, addressing grievances at the grassroots level.
(Baonghean) - Dialogue between the Chairman of the People's Council and the Chairman of the People's Committee at the commune level with the people has helped the government resolve issues fairly and reasonably at the grassroots level, reduce the number of complaints and petitions submitted to higher levels, and increase people's participation in the local socio-economic development process.
Listen to the people's opinions.
One of the effective "channels" organized by Thai Hoa town is the direct dialogue between Party and government leaders of the wards and the people to listen to and address any remaining issues in the implementation of policies and guidelines on socio-economic development in the locality.
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| Thanks to skillful community mobilization, the Farmers' Association of Phu Tan hamlet, Tay Hieu commune (Thai Hoa town) has gathered a large number of members and established a beekeeping cooperative. (Photo: Archival image) |
In Hoa Hieu ward, in 2018, the ward leaders organized a dialogue conference with the people of Dong Tam block; they received 11 suggestions and requests from the residents. Meanwhile, the dialogue conference in Tan Lien block received 4 suggestions related to clearing traffic corridors, investment in canal construction, policies for particularly disadvantaged households, etc.
“The ward proactively engages in dialogue to understand and promptly resolve difficulties in people's lives and address their requests. Immediately after the dialogue, the ward's Party committee and government focus on directing the resolution of legitimate requests. This strengthens the people's trust in the Party committee and government.”
In line with the policy of dialogue with the people, the Standing Committee of the Thai Hoa Town Party Committee, in coordination with the Town's Fatherland Front, directed all 10 wards to organize dialogues between the Chairpersons of the People's Councils and People's Committees of the wards and communes with the people. Accordingly, many pressing issues of the people, such as land clearance or the merger of hamlets, which still cause much concern among residents, were addressed through dialogues in residential areas. These dialogues were conducted to analyze and explain the issues thoroughly and reasonably, ensuring residents understood and reached a high level of consensus in implementing the policy. In particular, ward leaders demonstrated a high sense of responsibility, listening attentively to and accepting the people's feedback with a receptive attitude, and answering their questions.
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| The movement to build flower-lined streets in Thai Hoa town. |
The opinions and suggestions of the people following the dialogues are monitored by the Fatherland Front of the town. At subsequent meetings, the head of the local government must report on the results of resolving the people's suggestions from the previous dialogue.
"The biggest achievement is the change in people's perceptions. Previously, people were only interested in making suggestions, but now they relate the issues to the local situation and are interested in contributing solutions for overall socio-economic development."
Selecting pressing and challenging issues that have long been of concern to the people at the grassroots level for thematic dialogues, and through these dialogues focusing on resolving outstanding issues and obstacles, is the approach taken by the Nghi Loc District Fatherland Front in organizing dialogues between the Chairmen of the People's Councils and the Chairmen of the People's Committees at the commune level with the people in recent times. Accordingly, in 2018, 30 communes and towns in the district organized 57 dialogues; of which 32 were thematic dialogues related to land issues, policies and regulations, land clearance, environmental sanitation, security and order, new rural planning, etc.
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| Residents of Nghi Kieu commune (Nghi Loc district) hold a dialogue with the Party committee and local authorities. Photo: Le Thanh |
The opinions raised by the people at the dialogue conferences were discussed and clarified by the Chairpersons of the People's Councils and People's Committees at the commune level, and were accepted and acknowledged by the people. Many opinions that the people did not agree with were further questioned, creating a democratic, frank, and responsible atmosphere. Some opinions falling under the authority of higher levels were also received and compiled by the government to be included in the comprehensive report on the opinions, recommendations, and aspirations of the people.
Deputy Chairman of the Nghi Loc District Fatherland Front, Dau Khac Than, assessed: The organization of the dialogue has received positive attention and response from the people. The opinions expressed in the dialogue have basically hit the mark, reflecting the current reality and requirements. Through this forum, the role and responsibility of the Fatherland Front and its members in participating in government building, of the cadre and local government, have been enhanced, creating a useful information channel for localities to coordinate in resolving existing problems, difficulties, and obstacles of the people (especially at thematic dialogue conferences).
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| Models of cucumber cultivation in rice paddies in Nghi Hoa commune, chicken farming in Nghi Kieu commune, and cantaloupe cultivation in greenhouses in Nghi Long commune (Nghi Loc district). Photo: Hoa - Le |
Timely resolution of obstacles
In implementing the Provincial Party Standing Committee's policy on organizing dialogue activities between the Chairpersons of the People's Councils and People's Committees at the commune level with the people, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Fatherland Front Committee has developed and implemented a plan to organize dialogue activities between the Chairpersons of the People's Councils and People's Committees at the commune level with the people, considering this an important political task for the year, contributing to political stability and building and strengthening a strong government from the grassroots level. As a result, in 2018, the entire province organized 826 dialogue sessions between the Chairpersons of the People's Councils and People's Committees at the commune level with the people.
The dialogue focused primarily on shortcomings in the implementation of legal regulations and policies in the area, issues related to the management and operational responsibilities of local authorities; administrative reform, grassroots democracy, public service ethics, land management, etc. Many pressing issues in daily life were discussed, such as: basic construction investment, financial management, natural resources and environment, etc., which were listened to by leaders at all levels and effectively addressed, building trust among the people.
In 2018, the entire province organized over 826 dialogue conferences, including 447 held in the meeting halls of commune-level People's Committees and 379 held in cultural centers of hamlets and villages. These dialogue conferences attracted more than 68,000 participants, including 21,659 officials from hamlets and villages to commune and district levels, and 47,487 citizens participating in the dialogue; 6,699 people participated in the discussion, contributing 9,130 opinions.
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| Officials from Nghi Hoa commune (Nghi Loc district) are discussing matters with local residents. |
In particular, the Party committees and local authorities at the commune level have actively coordinated with the Standing Committee of the Fatherland Front Committee at the same level to receive and implement promises regarding the implementation of people's recommendations. Not only have they organized general dialogues, but some localities have also proactively selected difficult issues and matters of concern for dialogue within residential areas. Immediately after these dialogues, localities have categorized each opinion and recommendation raised by the people, formalized them into documents, assigned tasks for resolution, and provided specific answers to the people.
Commenting on this activity, Vice Chairman of the Provincial Fatherland Front Committee Nguyen Ngoc Nguyen said that organizing dialogue conferences between the government and the people has truly promoted the people's right to self-governance at the grassroots level; at the same time, it has created positive changes in the awareness of leaders at all levels regarding the responsibility of the Fatherland Front, mass organizations and the people in participating in building the Party and the government; enhancing the responsibility of key officials at the grassroots level in leading and managing local affairs, and continuing to better implement grassroots democracy.
"Through dialogue, the people's right to direct democracy has truly been promoted."
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| The physical education and sports movement is thriving in every residential area. Photo taken in Nam Xuan commune, Nam Dan district. |
