Scientific workshop on current situation and solutions to promote social capital of people in Western Nghe An

On the afternoon of June 30, the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences and the Provincial People's Committee jointly organized a scientific workshop on "Current situation and solutions to promote social capital to develop the economy of people in Western Nghe An". The workshop was chaired by Dr. Dang Xuan Thanh - Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences; Tran Quoc Thanh - Director of the Department of Science and Technology. Also attending the workshop were representatives of the Department of Culture - Sports; Provincial Fatherland Front Committee; Provincial Ethnic Minorities Committee.

Overview of the workshop. Photo: Xuan Hoang

Western Nghe Anis home to over 1.2 million people with 47 ethnic groups (accounting for 36% of the province's population). Among them, ethnic minorities with a high proportion are: Thai, Tho, Kho Mu, Mong, O Du... Although in recent years the Party and State have had many policies to support ethnic people in socio-economic development, the reality of people's lives is still full of difficulties in spirit and material.

To promote the social capital of ethnic communities in the economic development of the people of Western Nghe An, thematic groups and individuals of the Institute of Human Studies have made presentations to objectively assess the relationship between clans and each ethnic group to society, as well as the socio-economic development potential of the ethnic people here.

Dr. Vi Van An - former employee of the Vietnam Association of Ethnology and Anthropology delivered a speech. Photo: Xuan Hoang

One obvious limitation that researchers have pointed out is that the clustering of social capital in ethnic minority communities has affected economic and social development. Therefore, it is necessary to break the clustering of ethnic minorities to free the restraint on economic and social development in western Nghe An.

A noticeable reality that is being lost among the highland people that researchers have pointed out is cuisine, language, community spirit in supporting each other in building houses, clothing culture, musical instruments...

Talking about the role of social capital of ethnic minorities in Western Nghe Annew rural construction, Dr. Vi Van An - former employee of the Vietnam Association of Ethnology and Anthropology said that one of the biggest difficulties in building new rural areas in mountainous communes and districts, ethnic minority areas of Nghe An province is: high poverty rate, low income of people. In some mountainous, remote and isolated areas, cultural facilities are degraded, environment, labor and employment are limited; terrain is fragmented, so transportation is difficult. To effectively build new rural areas in mountainous areas, it is necessary to promote the social capital of ethnic communities.

The production methods of ethnic minorities in the western region of Nghe An currently have many limitations. Photo: Xuan Hoang

Researching on social capital in the economic development of ethnic minorities, specifically the O Du people in Western Nghe An, graduate student Bui Minh Hao - Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities said that the O Du people have a source of social capital that is unique to ethnic minorities and that social capital plays an increasingly important role in their development.

Brocade weaving is the strength of ethnic minorities, especially Thai ethnic women. Photo: Xuan Hoang

The key issue that researchers have raised is how to exploit social capital, and to what extent, to effectively suit the customs and cultural identity of each ethnic group. One of the most important issues is that the exploitation and promotion of the role of social capital of ethnic minorities has not received due attention and focus.

Concluding the workshop, Dr. Dang Xuan Thanh - Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences said that this was an intermediate workshop on the initial results of the scientific topic. Therefore, in the future, the Institute of Human Research - Center for Social Sciences and Humanities will continue to conduct research to provide final results in a more comprehensive and inclusive manner and set out more specific policies for developing human social capital in the western region of Nghe An./.