The Need for Socializing Public Services
Public services aim to create a transparent environment that promotes fairness, civility, and community while enhancing the quality of life and fostering favorable conditions for economic and social development.
On November 22, the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA) hosted a seminar titled "Public Service Model in Professional Associations: Current Situation and Solutions".
Nguyen Quyet Chien, VUSTA General Secretary, and Mrs. Bui Kim Tuyen, Head of the Department for Consultancy, Judgment and Social Expertise, chaired the seminar
This seminar assesses the participation of national associations in the socialization of public services over the years. It delved into the current public service model within these associations, identifying both the strengths and weaknesses of national policies. Furthermore, the seminar addressed challenges in transferring, receiving, and implementing public services in these associations. Based on this assessment, specific solutions were proposed to increase the involvement of national industry associations within VUSTA's system in providing public services across various sectors. The ultimate goal was to make significant contributions to the nation's development.
"Dual benefits" from the socialization of public services
Speaking at the opening of the workshop, VUSTA General Secretary Nguyen Quyet Chien affirmed that in the past, public services were primarily provided by government agencies to ensure social justice and stability.
Today, driven by market forces and the demands of national governance and administrative reform, public services are no longer the sole responsibility of the government. Other sectors, including social organizations, professional associations, enterprises, and the private sector authorized by the government, are now also involved in providing these services. This approach is known as the socialization of public services.
VUSTA General Secretary Nguyen Quyet Chien delivered the opening speech
Mr. Nguyen Quyet Chien emphasized that the socialization of public services brings "dual benefits" to both the State and private sectors. The State can reduce the burden and focus more on macro management, thereby creating conditions for professional associations, enterprises and the private sector to invest resources and participate in solving a number of tasks of the State. When there is a public service provider, it will create competition in quality and service. On the other hand, the state apparatus has also become more compact and economical, but does not reduce the role and responsibility of the State in ensuring basic public services for the people.
A scene of the seminar
According to Dr. Phan Dang Son of the Institute for State Organizational Sciences, Ministry of Home Affairs, in recent years, the state has been gradually delegating certain tasks from government agencies to associations as these organizations have grown in number and influence.
"Assigning governmental tasks to associations and non-governmental organizations is a sound policy. By transferring public administrative services to social organizations, we create opportunities for all sectors of society to collaborate with the government in enhancing the quality of public services. Given the growing diversity and complexity of market demands, it is no longer feasible for the government to meet all public needs. Therefore, transferring some administrative tasks to professional associations is essential," Dr. Phan Dang Son asserted.
Phan Dang Son stated that, based on the experiences of several countries around the world and practices in Vietnam, transferring public administrative tasks to associations is a complex and gradual process. However, this transition is viewed as an inevitable trend in contemporary rule-of-law administration. To effectively implement this transfer and minimize potential inaccuracies and risks, the government must study and develop clear principles for transferring public administrative tasks to associations.
According to Mr. Son, public administrative tasks can only be delegated to legally recognized social organizations (unions/associations). A comprehensive list of administrative tasks suitable for delegation to these organizations should be compiled. A robust evaluation framework is needed to assess the capacity of associations to undertake these tasks. Based on this framework, organizations can be ranked and selected for the transfer of public administrative responsibilities. The government must implement strict oversight mechanisms to monitor the performance of these organizations. Transparency in the operations of associations should be a top priority.
To effectively promote socio-economic development and actively engage in state management, associations, and non-governmental organizations must enhance their operational capacity by improving the quality of their human resources and achieving specific operational outcomes.
“Transparency and accountability are crucial criteria for evaluating good governance practices within organizations. Associations should strive to excel in these areas, as doing so will foster trust among their members, donors, management agencies, and the broader community,” stated Mr. Phan Dang Son.
The representative of the Vietnam Medical Association speaking at the seminar
Equality from public services
In his remarks, Mr. Le Van Trinh, Chairman of the Vietnam Occupational Safety and Health Association, emphasized that public services foster transparency, promoting fairness, civilization, and a sense of community. Moreover, they contribute to improving the quality of life and creating a favorable environment for economic and social development.
Currently, Vietnam offers three primary types of public services: public services in the fields of education and social services, public utilities, and public administration. These services play a crucial role in ensuring equity and benefiting the broader community.
Mr. Trinh highlighted that to alleviate the financial burden on the government, the socialization of public services is a cornerstone of modern public management models in developed countries. This involves reducing the government's direct involvement in service provision, and shifting toward a regulatory role to ensure the availability of these services. The private sector and individuals are then tasked with delivering these services.
The evolution of public services is influenced by various factors, including a country's economic, political, and cultural landscape. As a result, the specific types of public services offered vary significantly across nations, depending on their unique institutional and cultural contexts.
Prof. Le Van Trinh, Chairman of the Vietnam Occupational Safety and Health Association spoke at the seminar
The Chairman also highlighted Canada as a global leader in public services, offering up to 34 different types. These include essential functions like defense, security, education, job creation, and environmental protection. Similarly, France's concept of public services encompasses public utilities (electricity, water, transportation), social services (education, healthcare), and public administration (taxation, licensing).
'To effectively promote the socialization of public services, our government must recognize it as a key strategy to mobilize societal resources and capacities, thereby meeting the diverse needs of our citizens while aligning with national development goals,' emphasized Prof. Le Van Trinh.
Furthermore, Prof. Trinh advocated for the establishment of robust mechanisms, policies, and regulations to ensure that public services meet reasonable standards and societal demands. He also encouraged greater involvement from social and private organizations, supported by effective investment policies. The government, in turn, should implement mechanisms to guarantee service quality and expedite the transfer of public service provision to social organizations.
Former VUSTA Vice President Pham Van Tan spoke at the seminar
"At the seminar, former VUSTA Vice President, Pham Van Tan, proposed several solutions to enhance the mechanisms and policies that would facilitate the transfer of public services to professional associations and non-governmental organizations.
Firstly, he suggested establishing a comprehensive legal framework. To perfect public service provision policies, a dedicated law on public service delivery should be promptly enacted. Secondly, a detailed catalog of public services should be developed. Each sector, industry, and locality should compile a list of public services that are either fully or partially funded by the state budget. It is crucial to raise public awareness regarding the rights and responsibilities of all citizens in the delivery of public services for the community.
Furthermore, Mr. Tan advocated for the implementation of programs to encourage the socialization of public services. This includes accelerating the transformation of public institutions in sectors such as economics, science and technology, education, and healthcare into more autonomous entities. Additionally, supportive policies and mechanisms should be put in place to ensure that social organizations have the necessary resources and infrastructure to deliver public services effectively.
