This journey aims to not only increase the efficiency of the organizations, but also create a suitable environment for the people to contribute to the process of socio-economic development, as well as protecting and upholding the rightful interests of the People. Through those things, the close cooperation between the government and the people will help build a renewed, transparent and responsible government, truly becoming a solid foundation for the sustainable development of this land full of unique cultural identity but also potential.
I. THE ACTIVITIES OF THE FATHERLAND FRONT AND SOCIO-POLITICAL SYSTEMS
The Vietnamese Fatherland Front, along with socio-political organizations such as: the Confederation of Labor, the Farmer’s Union, the Youth Union, the Women’s Union, and the Veteran’s Union, act as a bridge between the Party, the State and the people. The mission of the Fatherland Front is not only to campaign and unite the strata but also monitor, give social criticism and contribute to building a pure and strong government. Confirming that the work of the Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations is the responsibility of the political system and a regularly important aspect in the Party’s mass mobilization work, the Provincial Party Committee of Cao Bằng has enacted Project number 10-ĐA/TU regarding Enhancing the Quality of the activities of the Fatherland Front and Socio-political Organizations of Cao Bằng for the 2022-2026 Period. This involves renewing methods and operating models to suit the current landscape, meeting the needs of the people and building the great national unity. During the 2019-2024 period, the Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations have publicized and campaigned for the people to effectively perform patriotic emulation movements, and movements such as: “All citizens unite to build renewed countrysides and civilized cities”; the “The whole nation joins hands for the poor – no one left behind” movement; and the “Repay kindness” movement. Responding to these movements held by the Front, the member organizations have proactively and actively initiated widely patriotic emulation movements and campaigns to a large number of cadres, workers and civil servants, Youth Union members, Youth Federation members and different stratas of People, with notable examples being: “Skilled and creative laborers”; “Developing the new Cao Bằng woman for the new era”; “Volunteering youth”; “Creative youth”; “Farmers compete to produce and trade skillfully, uniting to enrich one another and sustainably reduce poverty”; “Veterans help one another to reduce poverty and do business skillfully”, etc. The patriotic emulation movements, campaigns creatively and diversely deployed by the Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations have brought real results, strengthening solidarity and maintaining the People’s inner strength and self-governance; enhancing the people’s intelligence, preserving and maintaining the nation’s beautiful traditions. In the 2021-2023 period, the province’s economy saw noticeable improvement, with the average growth rate reaching more than 5,46%; the total budget revenue in the province increased 11% on average; GRDP per capita on average reached 44.04 million VND per person per year; the poverty rate decreased by 4,11% year on year on average, all of which contributed to the completion of the criteria to build renewed countrysides and civilized cities, effectively contributing into realizing the province’s socio-economic development targets.
However, alongside the results achieved, the activities of the divisions of the Fatherland Front still encountered limitations and difficulties, such as: the effectiveness of publicization and encouraging people to participate in movements and campaigns remaining low in some residential areas, lacking depth, being too generalized and being mostly formality; the work to keep track of the situation of the people was not timely and close to the people in certain times and places. The Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations’ apparatus also contain limitations: it remains cumbersome with overlapping functions, and still not truly close to the people in certain locations. These limitations put forth an urgent need: to reorganize and streamline the apparatuses of the Fatherland Front and sociopolitical organizations to remedy existing issues and ensure efficient and effective operation.
2. THE NEED FOR REORGANIZATION AND STREAMLINING – A JOURNEY TO THE ORIGIN
At present, work is underway to reorganize the government apparatus and merge administrative areas into two levels that would be closer to the people, in order to reduce intermediate levels and aim towards changing the status to construction, proactively serving the people and businesses. The two-level local administration model (province and commune) is a step towards administrative reform, with the goal to reduce the distance between the government and the citizens, increasing management efficiency and utilizing the community’s self-governance ability. In this model, the communal level becomes the center to connect directly to the people, where policies are deployed quickly, issues are solved right on the spot and the voices of the people are heard in a timely manner. Cao Bằng is a mountainous province north of the country with arduous mountainous terrain, sparse population distribution and with 90% of the population being ethnic minorities. Hence, the work to build a government close to the people becomes even more important. Citizens in remote areas, where economic conditions remain harsh, need a streamlined and flexible political apparatus that can quickly adapt to practical needs.
In regards to the provincial level: Establish the provincial Fatherland Front Party Committee, affiliated with the Party Committees of Provincial Party Agencies; combine the socio-political organizations (Confederation of Labor, Farmer’s Union, Youth Union, Women’s Union, Veteran’s Union) into the Fatherland Front. Reduce 25 leads into 11 (down by 56%), keeping only 10 specialist departments and 1 public service unit (Youth Activity Center). Cut staff by at least 20%, from 155 to 124 people. Put headquarters at Km5, Thục Phán Ward, Cao Bằng Province to increase efficiency of cooperation.
In regards to the communal level: Establish the communal Fatherland Front Party Cell affiliated with the ward or province Party Committee. Cut staff from 805 to 560 (reduced by 245). Reinforce the Department of Front Affairs in residential areas with 1 Head of Department and 1 to 2 Deputies, increasing self-governance.
Streamlining the political apparatus helps to reduce administrative costs, increase efficiency of cooperation, and brings the Fatherland Front closer to the people, helping the two-level administration do its function of managing the nation and serving the people well. To continue the journey of the Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations, in the present scenario, there are certain points that need to be focused on:
Firstly, work needs to continue to complete policies and mechanisms. Documents with detailed instructions regarding reorganization and streamlining of the political apparatus, and the edition of regulations to suit the two-level administration model should be promulgated. The Advisor of the provincial People’s Council should enact resolutions to support the operating budget and ensure policies for surplus cadres, creating stability and agreement during the process of reform.
Secondly, ideological work should be increased. There should be wide publicization about the targets and meaning of the reform via channels such as assemblies, fanpages and the Digital Information Page, especially in remote areas. Hold direct dialogue sessions with the people to listen to their thoughts and wishes, and explain clearly the benefits of streamlining the apparatus.
Thirdly, training and application of technology should be strongly encouraged. There should be regular classes held to train skills in publicization, surveillance, critique and digital technology use. Build a digital information system to manage profiles, receive citizens’ opinions and publicize results of activities, ensuring transparency and effectiveness.
Fourthly, there should be an increase in interdepartmental coordination. Coordinate closely with the government, the member organizations and relevant agencies in initiating crucial programs and projects such as the Đồng Đăng – Trà Lĩnh highway, the national target program, and eradicating temporary, run-down homes. Make use of the Department of Front Affairs and self-governing organizations in residential areas, especially in resolution, building a new countryside and protecting border security.
Fifth, monitor and evaluate. Regularly check and evaluate the results of reorganizing and streamlining the apparatus, and make up any shortcomings in a timely manner. Be public and transparent about results of activities, from figures of the “For The Poor” Fund to the progress of building the Great National Unity building, to increase the people’s trust.
Thus, the reorganization and streamlining of the Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations in Cao Bằng is a meaningful journey, not only aiming to meet the needs of Resolution 18-NQ/TW but also building a two-level local administration that is truly close to the people. The requirements to streamline the apparatus, renew operating principles, increasing the skills of the cadres and ensuring synchronicity with the political system is the guiding star for this journey. With practical solutions, from completing policies, applying technology, to utilizing the self-governance of the community, the Vietnamese Fatherland Front of Cao Bằng is realizing the goal to build a stronger local government that serves the people better, step by step. This story is not just a story of Cao Bằng, but also a valuable lesson for other areas in the nation, aiming for a streamlined, effective political system that is always accompanying the people.
By Trieu Van Luong
Lecturer of the Party Building Department Hoang Dinh Giong Political School, Cao Bang Province
Translated by Nhat Nam
