The Government's Project 600 (2011) was a pilot project selecting young intellectuals to serve as Vice Chairmen of the People's Committees in difficult mountainous communes. I followed and was involved with it for quite a long time, so I was particularly interested in the information that "The Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee assigned the Provincial Party Committee's Organization Department to research and advise on the issuance of regulations on piloting the transfer of officials from departments and agencies to strengthen the commune level" (Nghe An Newspaper online, August 29, 2023). This is one of the contents of Notice No. 1029-TB/TU dated August 28, 2023, of the Nghe An Provincial Party Committee announcing the conclusions of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee at the meeting and dialogue program with the heads of Party committees and governments of communes, wards, and towns in the province in 2023.
Regarding the heads of Party committees and administrations at the commune, ward, and town levels in the province, in this program, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee assessed that the key officials at the commune, ward, and town levels play a very important role in leading, directing, managing, and operating socio-economic activities, building the Party and the political system at the grassroots level, and serving as a bridge connecting the Party with the people. At the same time, it was acknowledged that the level and capacity of key officials at the commune, ward, and town levels are increasingly improving, making many positive contributions to the province's development. Despite this assessment, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee also pointed out that some key officials at the commune, ward, and town levels still lack exemplary conduct, violate administrative discipline and regulations; and the leadership, direction, management, and operation in some areas are not highly effective.
Therefore, among the key tasks set forth by the Provincial Party Standing Committee for key leaders at the commune level, there is a requirement to effectively promote personal responsibility, resolve working relationships well; improve the management and operational capacity of the government, in conjunction with the effective application of digital transformation, promote administrative reform, and implement grassroots democracy regulations. To create unity and positive changes in awareness and action, one of the solutions proposed by the Provincial Party Standing Committee is to assign the Provincial Party Organization Department to research and advise the competent authority to issue a pilot regulation on transferring officials from departments and agencies to strengthen the commune, ward, and town levels.
Returning to the Government's Project 600 in 2011, I recall that period when many disadvantaged communes such as Pha Danh, Huoi Tu, Huu Khuong, Yen Na, Muong Ngoc… in the 30a districts of Ky Son, Tuong Duong, and Que Phong in the province were strengthened with the addition of young intellectuals as Vice Chairmen of the Commune People's Committees. Having worked with these young intellectuals as Vice Chairmen of the Commune People's Committees from the beginning, I know that most of them had only recently left university, were still inexperienced in social issues, lacked practical experience, and especially in state management, they were like blank slates. However, observing them, I saw that with the enthusiasm and desire to contribute of young people, after a period of dedication to their work, they have proven their capabilities in these new lands full of difficulties.
There are young people assigned to work in areas with 100% ethnic minority populations, where socio-economic conditions are extremely difficult, many customs are outdated, and some local officials are skeptical and ostracized. However, through their own abilities, they have built trust and are now treated like family by the people, dispelling any doubts. Furthermore, they have introduced innovative and effective methods, bringing a refreshing new perspective and contributing positively to changing the way local officials think and work.
Based on the positive contributions of the young intellectuals in Project 600, the Provincial Party Standing Committee's directive to pilot the deployment of departmental-level officials to strengthen the commune level in the near future is a good and necessary initiative. Clearly, compared to the young intellectuals in Project 600, the officials in departments and agencies are on a superior "level." They are well-trained in their professional skills, political knowledge, and state management, and most have extensive work experience. There might be a slight difference in this comparison: psychological factors. The young intellectuals in Project 600 are recent graduates with no stable jobs or family responsibilities, so they are more willing to take on the challenge. In contrast, the officials in departments and agencies are already employed in the state sector, have stable jobs, and most have families, which may lead to some psychological hesitation regarding their deployment to the commune level.
But surely that "slight difference" will be thoroughly addressed. Because before deciding to implement the pilot program, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee assigned the Provincial Party Organization Department to research and advise the competent authorities on issuing relevant regulations. Therefore, we are confident that the officials from departments and agencies who are transferred will have a positive mindset, with enthusiasm and a desire to contribute. With the skills they have acquired, they will make many contributions and actively participate in the socio-economic development of the local areas. And another important point is that after months of working closely with the people and gaining practical experience, these officials from departments and agencies who are transferred to the communes will become good seeds!
