Success achieved through skillful public relations in Anh Son.

(Baonghean) - Over the years, Anh Son district has effectively promoted the role of mass mobilization work; thereby creating an atmosphere of democracy, unity, and solidarity within the entire political system and among the people in jointly building their homeland.

Looking at the concrete roads stretching out in the early morning sun, Comrade Nguyen Van Phu, Secretary of the Party Branch and Head of Hamlet 5, Hoa Son Commune, could not hide his pride at the changes in his hometown. Hamlet 5 has 208 households with over 900 inhabitants, including more than 100 Catholic households. The lives of the people in the hamlet basically depend on agriculture, so life is still difficult. But when talking about security and order and transportation infrastructure, the commune officials all consider it a bright spot; and the hamlet officials and each resident happily say: "At night we don't need to lock our doors, we can leave our cars outside in the yard without fear of theft."

Achieving these results was a long journey with the active involvement of the entire political system at the grassroots level. Since 2002, the hamlet has established 13 self-governing groups, and the Catholic community has also formed 6 sharing groups. Coordination between these self-governing and sharing groups has been very close, ensuring timely correction and reminders to individuals who violate regulations. Gradually, life in the hamlet has become more orderly, maintaining peace and unity. This has also laid the foundation for Hamlet 5 to implement the New Rural Development program today, with the strong support of the people.

Mr. Nguyen Van Minh is a model Catholic. Despite being busy with farming, he is an active leader of Self-Management Group 3 and also heads the village's Front Committee. In 2010, he donated nearly 100 square meters of land for road construction. In 2014, he donated another 25 square meters of land and demolished a sturdy fence to widen the road for the New Rural Development program. Speaking about his meaningful contributions, he humbly said: "If each person sacrifices a little of their own interests, the village roads and alleys will be opened up, becoming more spacious, clean, and convenient for travel compared to the dirt roads." It is examples like Mr. Minh that encourage villagers to enthusiastically participate in the movement of donating land, labor, and resources to build increasingly modern infrastructure in the village. Comrade Nguyen Van Phu shared: “We determined that mass mobilization work in the locality must emphasize unity and solidarity between people of different faiths. Therefore, in addition to the pioneering and exemplary role of each cadre and Party member, the village committee also closely cooperates with the Pastoral Council of Quan Lang Parish. That is the foundation for the achievements we have today.”

Leaders of Hoa Son commune discussed the results of the new rural development program with the people of Hamlet 5.

Skillful public relations work has not only transformed the face of many rural areas in the region below Kim Nhan peak but is also clearly demonstrated in key projects and constructions. A prime example is the public relations work of the entire political system of Anh Son district during the land clearance process for the Clean Charcoal Export Factory Project, invested by Clean Fuel Joint Stock Company in Khai Son commune. This is a large project, promising a significant impact on the economic development not only of Anh Son but also of many districts in western Nghe An province. The investor's project implementation was also extremely urgent, requiring the land clearance process to be carried out quickly, from July to September 2014. In the initial phase, land clearance was relatively difficult. Many affected residents did not fully understand the significance of the project, and there were many unresolved issues regarding compensation rates.

Faced with this situation, the Standing Committee of the Anh Son District Party Committee directly worked with the District People's Committee to find solutions. Relevant agencies involved in land compensation and clearance also held direct dialogues with local people on numerous occasions. In particular, the mass mobilization efforts of the entire political system were extremely active and effective. Besides the mass mobilization efforts of the district and commune governments, every mass organization was involved, following the motto "going to each house, persuading each household." These systematic steps, combined with the transparent and open implementation of land surveying, compensation pricing, and support, led to high levels of understanding and agreement from the people. Many affected hamlets, initially thought unable to complete land clearance on schedule, later handed over the land early. Therefore, in just 2.5 months, the entire 17 hectares of agricultural land across 5 hamlets, affecting 252 households in Khai Son commune, were completely cleared, with high public approval and no complaints. “The land clearance work for the clean charcoal production plant project for export was implemented very synchronously, demonstrating a high degree of democracy. This has yielded many valuable lessons in mass mobilization work for the entire political system,” concluded Comrade Tran Thi Au, Head of the Mass Mobilization Department of the Anh Son District Party Committee.

During the 2010-2015 term, mass mobilization work in Anh Son district underwent significant changes with many effective approaches, leveraging the strength of national unity and expanding democracy. From infrastructure development projects to pressing issues arising in various sectors such as land, education, and even Party work, relevant agencies and departments organized dialogues. For example, dialogues were held between the District Party Committee Standing Committee and 320 branch secretaries under the grassroots Party committees; and between the District People's Committee, the Education Department, and 198 contract teachers at the secondary school level. This created a democratic atmosphere, fostered trust among cadres, Party members, and the people; and simultaneously provided leaders with valuable feedback from real-world situations to improve the quality of their leadership.

The movement for effective mass mobilization has been widely and effectively implemented, significantly impacting many fields, localities, and units, thereby leaving a strong mark on all aspects of life. Over the past five years, the entire district has developed 650 models and exemplary examples of effective mass mobilization, including 350 exemplary models in economic development and poverty reduction. In the first six months of 2015 alone, Anh Son district saw the emergence of many effective mass mobilization models with innovative approaches, such as: the model of mobilizing people to donate land, clear land for road construction in Tuong Son commune; the model of land conversion and field improvement in Hamlet 5, Tao Son commune…

Discussing the orientations for mass mobilization work in the 2015-2020 term, Comrade Nguyen Van Son, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Anh Son District Party Committee, said: “The district will continue to actively innovate the content and form of mass mobilization work to suit each locality and unit; focusing on the grassroots in the spirit of “being close to the people, respecting the people, understanding the people, and learning from the people”; regularly grasping the thoughts and aspirations of the people, creating clear changes in the work of mobilizing the people, especially in special areas; arousing the spirit of national unity, self-reliance, self-improvement, overcoming difficulties and challenges, and striving to achieve legitimate wealth.”

In reality, daily life presents many problems and issues, therefore, mass mobilization work must be one step ahead. This is an effective solution to enhance democracy, ensuring that the people are well-informed about relevant issues; and that management and administration officials receive feedback from the grassroots to improve work efficiency. By steadfastly adhering to the principle of skillful mass mobilization, Anh Son district achieved many successes during the 2010-2015 term. The experiences and lessons learned in mass mobilization work will be a solid foundation for realizing the targets of the District Party Committee for the 2015-2020 term.

Nhat Le