Further enhance the spirit of initiative and volunteerism.

(Baonghean) - In order to help readers clearly see the achievements in the past term and the action program for the next term of the Nghe An Youth Union, a reporter from Nghe An Newspaper interviewed Comrade Pham Ngoc Canh - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union, Chairman of the Provincial Youth Union.

Comrade Pham Ngoc Canh - Chairman of the Provincial Youth Union, presents flowers to student volunteers at the 2013 Summer Volunteer Campaign Launch Ceremony.

PV:Could you please tell us about the outstanding achievements in the work of the youth association and youth movement during the past term?

Comrade Pham Ngoc Canh:Looking back at the five-year implementation of the Resolution of the 4th Congress of the Nghe An Provincial Youth Union, term 2009-2014, along with the efforts of all levels of the Union, cadres, members, and youth, the Youth Union and youth movement in Nghe An province have achieved many important results in various fields. The front of solidarity and mobilization of youth has been strengthened and expanded; the prestige of the Union organization continues to be enhanced. All programs and activities of the Union at all levels have contributed to caring for and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of youth, encouraging and supporting youth in their studies, training, work, self-improvement, and career development, and arousing and promoting patriotism and aspirations for advancement among all strata of youth.

During the term, 13 out of 21 districts, cities, and towns established district-level Youth Entrepreneurship Funds, providing loans to over 500 young people with a total outstanding balance of over 641 billion VND. The organization directed the development of models for uniting and gathering religious youth in Quynh Thanh commune, Quynh Luu district, and ethnic minority youth in Dooc May commune, Ky Son district. Notably, the organization collaborated with Prison No. 3 and Prison No. 6 (Ministry of Public Security) to organize programs titled "Lighting Up Dreams for a Brighter Tomorrow" for young inmates. It also developed models and activities closely aligned with various youth groups: Student Associations, Young Entrepreneurs Associations, Young Doctors Clubs, etc.

Every year, the Provincial Youth Union, in coordination with the Youth Unions of the three provinces of Hua Phan, Bolikhamsai, and Xieng Khouang in Laos, which share a border with Nghe An, organizes friendly exchange programs between Vietnamese and Lao youth; organizes delegations to participate in the Vietnam-China Youth Festival; and participates in the Southeast Asian Youth Ship Journey 2013...

Particularly during the past term, three major campaigns were implemented simultaneously: “Youth living beautifully and usefully”; “Youth volunteering for social welfare and environmental friendliness”; and “Youth establishing themselves and their careers”. Highlights of these campaigns included the Summer Youth Volunteer Campaign and the Winter Volunteer Program. The entire province organized nearly 200 health check-ups, consultations, and free medicine distribution for nearly 60,000 people, with a total value of over 5 billion VND; mobilized nearly 120,000 youth union members and young people to donate blood, resulting in over 50,000 units of blood; and built 16 boarding houses for students in border communes of Ky Son, Tuong Duong, and Con Cuong… An increasing number of exemplary young people excelling in production and business have emerged, including young farm owners and dynamic, creative young entrepreneurs, making positive contributions to the socio-economic development of the locality.

All these activities have had a positive impact on society, have been recognized by all levels and sectors, and have earned the trust and affection of the people.

Young people in Ngoc Lam commune, Thanh Chuong district, built a temporary bridge to help students get to school.

Rural road construction project during the 2014 summer volunteer campaign.

PV:In the coming term, what groundbreaking solutions will the Provincial Youth Union implement to further deepen the impact of the three campaigns: "Youth living beautifully and usefully"; "Youth volunteering for social welfare and environmental friendliness"; and "Youth establishing themselves and their careers"?

Comrade Pham Ngoc Canh:In the coming term, the Provincial Youth Union will focus on the following key contents and objectives:

- Strengthen propaganda and education activities to raise awareness and responsibility among young people and members in volunteer activities for community life. Mobilize resources and solicit support from members, young people, and social sponsorships to organize programs such as: "Journey of Compassion for Community Health," "Young Doctors' Day Following Uncle Ho's Teachings"; Establish a "Breeding Cattle Bank." In the new term, strive to increase the percentage of young people accessing and being introduced to jobs to 80% by 2019;

The district-level Youth Union focuses on establishing youth economic development clubs and district-level Young Entrepreneurs Associations to provide opportunities for local youth to share experiences and support each other in economic development. Annually, they organize activities to commend outstanding young entrepreneurs from the grassroots to the provincial level.

PV:What is the association's action plan for the next term, Comrade?

Comrade Pham Ngoc Canh:With the action slogan: "Nghe An youth united - creative - volunteer - innovative," the Provincial Youth Union Committee continues to concretize the movements "Pioneering in socio-economic development and national defense" and "Accompanying youth in establishing themselves and their careers" to care for, support, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of youth members, while promoting the pioneering and creative role of youth in building and defending the Fatherland. Youth Union branches at all levels focus on political and ideological education for members and youth through gratitude and repayment movements, humanitarian activities, and the "Solidarity with Border and Island Regions" campaign…

The "Computer Literacy Program - Connecting to the Knowledge Network" for young people in mountainous areas.

Volunteer activities for community life continue to be promoted by all levels of youth organizations, with increasingly diverse content tailored to different groups of young people. At the same time, these organizations will organize many activities to support disadvantaged youth; and intensify propaganda, education, and support for underprivileged youth to reintegrate into the community.

Simultaneously, the Youth Union Committees at all levels continue to innovate and improve the quality of the organization, expanding the front of solidarity and gathering of young people through the development of the organization, while effectively promoting the core political role of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, consolidating and improving the quality of collective member organizations of the Vietnam Youth Union: the Young Entrepreneurs Association, the Young Doctors Club, and the Student Association. They also promote the work of uniting and gathering young people in special areas and disadvantaged youth: religious youth, ethnic minorities, and people with disabilities; young people in industrial zones and non-state enterprises; disadvantaged youth; and reformed youth.

Promote friendly exchanges between the youth of Nghe An and the youth of the three border provinces of Laos: Xieng Khouang, Bolikhamsai, and Hua Phan. Instruct the Youth Union branches in the districts, the Youth Volunteer Brigades for economic development, and the Youth Settlement Villages to coordinate with the youth of the border localities in Laos to establish Youth Volunteer Teams for border security; propose the establishment of Friendship Youth Volunteer Villages in the border area between Vietnam and Laos.

PV:Thank you, comrade!

Thanh Nga(perform)