Directive No. 34/1998/CT-TTg on organizing activities for the International Year of Older Persons

DIRECTIVE

On organizing the activities of the International Year of Older Persons

The older persons in our country are not only a class with significant contributions to the glorious revolutionary cause of the Party, State, and the entire nation, but also a class that has made great sacrifices in nurturing, educating generations of descendants to preserve, protect, and develop traditional customs and patriotic traditions. Our Party and State always pay close attention to improving both the material and spiritual life of older persons, and recognize this as the responsibility of the whole Party, the whole people, all levels of government, and organizations, reflecting the humanistic values and cultural beauty of our nation.

In the process of renewal, we have achieved very important accomplishments; the national economy has seen considerable growth; political security and social order are stable; the living standards of various strata of the population, including the older generation, have gradually improved. However, the lives of older persons generally still face many issues that need to be addressed; a portion of older persons still encounter many difficulties and hardships, especially those who are lonely and sickly.

To promote the fine traditions of our nation, implement the policies of the Party and State, and respond to the International Year of Older Persons (IYOP) initiated by the United Nations General Assembly, the Prime Minister issues the following directive:

1. Organize extensive propaganda on the significance and objectives of the IYOP

The content of the propaganda should include the policies and activities of the state, community, family, and individual senior citizens in response to the IYOP; good experiences in caring for and supporting older persons; and exemplary models of older persons in various fields of social life, aiming to enhance respect and filial piety towards grandparents and parents within families and society.

2. Regarding care for older persons

The Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs shall coordinate with the Ministry of Justice and other relevant ministries and agencies to review existing legal documents related to policies for older persons, and promptly propose new laws or amendments to current laws as necessary.

At all levels of People's Committees, competent agencies and units under their jurisdiction must regularly pay attention to and effectively carry out the work of caring for older persons in their respective areas. These tasks should be clearly recorded in short-term and long-term socio-economic development programs and plans of the locality, in cultural lifestyle construction targets, and in the building of new lifestyles in residential areas. Proper organization of medical examinations and treatments for older persons should be ensured. Activities such as cultural, artistic, sports, and recreational events suitable for older persons should be organized according to the economic and social conditions of each locality.

3. Regarding assignment of responsibilities

- The Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs shall manage state affairs concerning older persons, serve as the permanent body of the IYOP Committee; supervise and guide the Vietnam Association of the Elderly to operate in accordance with the state's policies and laws; report periodically on the implementation of activities in response to the IYOP; take the lead in coordinating with relevant agencies and the Vietnam Association of the Elderly to study and draft the Ordinance on Older Persons to be submitted in 1999.

- The Ministry of Health and the Sports Committee shall facilitate cooperation with the Vietnam Association of the Elderly to disseminate necessary knowledge about health, guide exercises for disease prevention and treatment, organize medical examinations and treatments, research policies to encourage and expand voluntary health insurance among older persons; coordinate with the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and localities to direct and organize appropriate cultural and sports activities during the IYOP.

- The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, together with broadcasting, television, press agencies, and related agencies, shall adopt various forms of propaganda during the IYOP.

- The Ministry of Finance and People's Committees at all levels shall provide conditions to support material resources and funding for IYOP activities.

- Relevant ministries and agencies shall cooperate closely with the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs and related ministries and agencies within their scope of responsibility to effectively implement the IYOP in Vietnam.

- Establish a Steering Committee for IYOP activities at provincial and municipal levels directly under the Central Government, headed by a Deputy Chairman of the People's Committee, with the Director of the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs serving as the Vice-Chairman in charge of day-to-day operations; invite the Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the Chairman of the Vietnam Association of the Elderly at provincial and municipal levels to join the Steering Committee. Members of the Steering Committee shall be relevant departments, sectors, and mass organizations. The Steering Committee shall assist the provincial and municipal People's Committees in directing activities, summarizing, evaluating, and reporting on IYOP activities in their respective localities to the National IYOP Committee.

- We request the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee and mass organizations to cooperate with state agencies and the Vietnam Association of the Elderly in mobilizing families and society to care for, nurture, and promote the role of older persons in the renewal process for a prosperous people and strong country, a fair and civilized society.

Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of agencies under the Government, Chairmen of Provincial and Municipal People's Committees directly under the Central Government shall, within their respective responsibilities, closely coordinate with mass organizations to implement this Directive./.

PRIME MINISTER

(Signed)

Phan Van Khai