Directive No. 15/2001/CT-BVHTT on continuing to implement the coordinated program "to strengthen and improve the effectiveness of cultural and information activities along borderlines and coasts" for the period 2002-2005.

DIRECTIVE

Regarding the continued implementation of the cooperation program "Strengthening and Enhancing the Effectiveness of Cultural and Information Activities on Border Lines and Coastal Areas" for the period 2002-2005

On July 16, 1993, the Ministry of Culture and Information and the General Command of Border Guard Forces signed the Action Cooperation Program "Strengthening and Enhancing the Quality of Cultural and Information Activities in Mountainous Areas, Ethnic Minority Regions, and Borders from 1993 to 2000". During the process of directing and organizing its implementation, the content and scale were expanded and developed, renamed as the Cooperation Program "Strengthening and Enhancing the Effectiveness of Cultural and Information Activities on Border Lines and Coastal Areas".

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In October 2000, the Steering Committee for Summarizing the Implementation of the Cooperation Program over 7 years (1993-2000) and unified the assessment results as follows: "In recent years, the Program has contributed to eliminating cultural-information blank spots, improving spiritual cultural life, raising the educational level of ethnic minorities in border areas, contributing to maintaining public support, motivating border military and civilian forces to build a strong border; effectively integrating economic-social programs and bringing about significant political-social benefits in building and consolidating grassroots political foundations, and fostering mass movements to participate in protecting territorial sovereignty and security".

However, the Program still revealed some shortcomings such as: At times and places, there was insufficient consensus in understanding, leading to loose coordination in guidance; some places implemented slowly, with unclear and specific regulations on coordination in guidance, especially at the district level; difficulties in guiding the establishment of cultural propaganda teams remained unresolved and were not actively addressed, failing to become a local cultural design; the content and forms of activities were monotonous, heavily relying on video screenings and artistic performances, without sufficient emphasis on integrating various information dissemination methods and essential content for the people; poor coordination in guiding and instructing the construction of cultural villages, families, and preserving and promoting traditional ethnic cultures; insufficient attention was given to measures for implementing the mass movement "All People United to Build a Civilized Life"; investment in funding and equipment for activities was not adequately surveyed and investigated, thus limiting effectiveness...

Entering the new century, our country faces new opportunities and challenges. The issue of territorial sovereignty and security along borders, coasts, and islands, as well as consolidating national solidarity, remains a particularly important and long-term task to create conditions for economic and social development during the industrialization and modernization phase of the nation. Therefore, mobilizing the masses, improving and enhancing economic and cultural living standards, and raising the educational level of ethnic minorities is an urgent issue, especially given the current low living standards of the people in many aspects, the large gap in enjoyment compared to other regions, and the hostile forces exploiting religion to lure and incite the people, undermining national unity.

To continue successfully implementing Resolution 5 (Session VIII) of the Party Central Committee "On Building a Vietnamese Advanced Culture Rich in National Characteristics", Directive 39/1998 of the Prime Minister on "Strengthening Cultural and Information Work in Mountainous Areas and Ethnic Minority Regions", and in light of the new situation at the beginning of the 21st century, the Minister of Culture and Information, after reaching agreement with the General Command of Border Guard Forces, issues the following directive to the entire cultural and information sector:

1. Continue implementing the Cooperation Program "Strengthening and Enhancing the Effectiveness of Cultural and Information Activities on Border Lines and Coastal Areas" for Phase II from 2001 to 2005.

a. The Steering Committees at all levels that operated during Phase I will continue their tasks in Phase II based on further consolidation and improvement where necessary. Those that have not yet been established need to be set up immediately, particularly at the district and post levels.

b. Provinces that have not yet conducted a summary evaluation of the Program's activities during Phase I should do so promptly, identify specific measures for implementation, and develop plans for Phase II (2001-2005) and detailed plans for 2001 based on the central steering committee's plan.

c. At the central level, the regulations and principles of operation of the Steering Committee issued on August 14, 1999 (No. 3235/VHTT-BĐBP) will continue to be implemented.

Localities should base their operational regulations on those of the central steering committee, adapting them to their own needs.

2. In the short term, Provincial Departments of Culture and Information in border provinces and border defense forces should coordinate with provincial border guard commands to organize vibrant, widespread, and high-quality cultural and information activities to celebrate the successful Party Congresses at all levels and mark "Border Defense Day" (March 3) - the first year of the 21st century.

In key areas concerning political security, immediate coordinated efforts must be taken to disseminate and mobilize the masses against the "peaceful evolution" plots of hostile forces, safeguarding national solidarity.

On this occasion, cultural and information institutions and art troupes should serve officers, soldiers of the border guards, and ethnic minority communities in border and coastal areas.

3. The Steering Committees at all levels, functional agencies of the Ministry of Culture and Information, Provincial Departments of Culture and Information with border defense responsibilities, and units under the Ministry shall be responsible for implementing this directive and reporting their plans and results to the Central Steering Committee's Executive Office (Department of Ethnic and Mountainous Cultural Affairs).

This directive takes effect from the date of issuance.

This Directive takes effect from the date of issuance.