The seminar on enhancing capacity on consultancy, questioning and social evaluation

President Phan Xuan Dung delivered a speech

On June 9^th and 10^th, 2022 in Yen Bai, the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA) cooperated with Yen Ban Provincial Union of Science and Technology Associations to organize a scientific seminar titled “Enhancing capacity on consultancy, questioning and social evaluation in order to implement effectively Conclusion No. 93-KL/TW dated November 20th 2020 of the Party Secretariat”. The event was attended by representatives of 18 Union of Science and Technology Associations of Northern provinces, members of Yen Bai Provincial Unions of Science and Technology Associations and representatives of departments/sectors in Yen Bai province. The seminar was chaired by Dr. Sc. Phan Xuan Dung, Secretary of the VUSTA Party leadership, President of VUSTA, Mr. Ta Van Long, Standing Deputy Secretary of Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of People’s Council of Yen Bai province, Secretary of the Party leadership, President of Yen Bai Union of Science and Technology Associations.

Mr. Ta Van Long, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee,Chairman of People’s Council of Yen Bai province delivered a speech

Speaking at the opening of the seminar, President Phan Xuan Dung affirmed that Conclusion No. 93-KL/TW dated November 20^th, 2020 of the Central Party Secretariat is a very important document to continue to innovate and improve quality and effectiveness of activities implemented by VUSTA in the period of accelerating industrialization and modernization of the country. Upon the issuance of Conclusion No. 93-KL/TW, VUSTA thoroughly developed an action plan to implement Conclusion No. 93-KL/TW. Particularly, the quality of consultancy, questioning and social evaluation was of great concern. Over the years, the consultancy, questioning and social evaluation have made positive contributions to enhancement of the position and role of VUSTA as well as the nation’s intellectuals in the building and development of the country.

The report presented by MSc. Bui Kim Tuyen, Head of the Consultancy, Questioning and Social Evaluation Board showed that since the issuance of Conclusion 93-KL/TW, central agencies, committees, ministries and sectors have actively requested the VUSTA to provide comments on draft Plans, Projects, Strategies, Decrees and Circulars (hereinafter referred to as draft documents). In 2021, VUSTA commented on 13 draft documents: “Planning of railway network in the period of 2021-2030, vision to 2050", "Planning of road network in the period of 2021-2030, vision to 2050", "The master plan on development of the national airport and airport system for the period of 2021-2030, vision to 2050" at the request of the Ministry of Transport; Commenting on the draft of "Circular regulating the management of the National Product Development Program by 2030", "The National Strategic Project for the development of the intellectual workforce for the period of 2021-2030", "Report on assessment of the pilot implementation of the science forum for the period of 2015-2020” at the request of the Ministry of Science and Technology; Commenting on the Project of "Strengthening the Party's leadership in hydro-meteorological work to meet the requirements of sustainable development, ensuring national defense and security", the draft of "Decree specifying a number of Articles of the Law on Environmental Protection", the draft of "National Strategy on Biodiversity by 2030, vision to 2050", the draft of "Decree specifying a number of articles of the Law on Environmental Protection" at the request of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment; Commenting on the "Project of organizational structure and operation of the VUSTA " at the request of the Party Central's Office; Commenting on the draft of "Project on arrangement of mass organizations assigned by the Party and State" at the request of the Ministry of Home Affairs; commenting on the Draft Law on Domestic Violence Prevention and Control (amended) at the request of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Organizing a discussion on the status and situation of developing scientific and technological intellectuals in the system of VUSTA to serve the development of the National Strategy for the development of intellectuals in the period of 2021-2030 at the request of Ministry of Science and Technology; researching and reviewing the Law on Chemicals. Since the beginning of 2022, VUSTA has commented on 04 draft documents at the request of the Party and State agencies, specifically: Organizing a discussion on the status and situation of developing scientific and technological intellectuals in the system of VUSTA to serve the development of the National Strategy for the development of intellectuals in the period of 2021-2030 at the request of Ministry of Science and Technology; researching and reviewing the Law on Chemicals on the basis of the proposal of the Science, Technology and Environment Committee of the National Assembly; Organizing a seminar on "Implementation of policies and laws on planning since the Law on Planning taking effect" at the request of the Delegation of Supervisors of the 15th National Assembly; Researching, reviewing, evaluating and proposing amendments to the Tax Law on the basis of the proposal of the Ministry of Finance. Over the years, member associations have also commented and made recommendations on important draft documents at the request of the Party and State agencies.

Mr. Nguyen Quyet Chien, General Secretary of theVUSTA delivered a speech

The report also shows that, in the two years of 2021-2022, Bac Giang Provincial Union of Science and Technology Associations has been assigned 19 tasks of consultancy, questioning and social evaluation, 12 tasks have been completed so far. Phu Tho Provincial Union of Science and Technology Associations has completed 8 among 14 tasks. Son La Provincial Union of Science and Technology Associations offered suggestions on 15 critical consulting tasks. Vinh Phuc Provincial Union of Science and Technology Associations implemented more than 20 critical consulting tasks. Cao Bang Provincial Union of Science and Technology Associations implemented 5 critical consulting tasks. Ha Giang Provincial Union of Science and Technology Associations has implemented 8 tasks of consultancy and social evaluation. Hanoi Union of Science and Technology Associations has contributed ideas to many important programs and projects of the capital. The Union of Science and Technology Associations of Hai Phong, Hai Duong, Bac Kan, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Thai Nguyen, Tuyen Quang and member associations participated in commenting many important documents at the request of agencies of executive committees and local authorities. Recommendations from VUSTA have been highly appreciated by the central agencies, for example, those for 03 plans on roads, railways, networks of international airports and airports in the period of 2021-2030, vision to 2045, have been taken into consideration by the Ministry of Transport. Up to now, the plans of the Ministry of Transport is one of the few approved since the Law on Planning taking effect.

Comments and evaluations on the results of consultancy, questioning and social evaluation of the Union of Science and Technology Associations since the issuance of the Conclusion No. 93-KL/TW, and the presentations from representatives of the local Union of Science and Technology Associations show that the consultancy, questioning and social evaluation continue to receive the attention of the Party and State leaders, executive committees and local authorities in creating favorable conditions for activities such as: Legal foundation, funding, operation orientation, requests for Unions of Science and Technology Associations and member associations. However, the speeches at the seminar also show that the consultancy, questioning and social evaluation have many difficulties and problems. Although Decision No. 14/2014/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister stipulates clearly which kind of projects need consultancy, questioning and social evaluation by VUSTA and its member associations, stipulates requests of the Party and the State for the VUSTA, in fact, there are no legally binding requirements to have consultancy, questioning and social evaluation and there are no sanctions for projects and plans that do not use consultancy, questioning and social evaluation. Therefore, the consultancy, questioning and social evaluation have not been really appreciated. Due to the lack of awareness at all levels on the role and importance of consultancy, questioning and social evaluation, many agencies still avoid consultancy, questioning and social evaluation, leading to the fact that many draft programs, projects and plans are prepared by agencies for consultation in a very short time, or the documents submitted to collect comments are incomplete. Thus, Unions of Science and Technology Associations and its member associations do not have enough time and information and data to offer suggestions and consultation or feedbacks effectively. The force of intellectuals participating in association activities is quite large, but the number of experts involved in consultancy, questioning and social evaluation is still small, mainly elderly experts and scientists. The ability to research and update new issues is still limited, especially in the 4.0 revolution. Some scientists are still reluctant to give opposing opinions. Therefore, in the long-term, the consultancy, questioning and social evaluation will face certain difficulties. Some Unions of Science and Technology Associations and member associations have not been proactive in planning and mobilizing resources to implement the consultancy, questioning and social evaluation but are passively waiting for requests from the Party and State agencies. Moreover, financial condition for consultancy, questioning and social evaluation has not been suitable. Expenditure norms for consultancy, questioning and social evaluation are still low and there are still a lot of shortcomings,  so it is difficult to organize high quality activities.

Mrs. Bui Kim Tuyen, Head of Consultancy, Questioning and Social Evaluation Board

At the seminar, delegates also proposed a number of solutions to improve the quality of consultancy, questioning and social evaluation in the coming time in order to effectively implement Conclusion 93-KL/TW. These are: Promoting communications and dissemination of documents of the Party and State agencies on consultancy, questioning and social evaluation; creating a consensus on the necessity for consultancy, questioning and social evaluation for important programs, schemes and projects before submitting them to competent authorities for approval. It is necessary to take the initiative in developing a plan for consultancy, questioning and social evaluation, closely following the operation plan of the National Assembly, Central Committees and Ministries, and the operation plan of all levels and branches in the locality; Actively proposing to the Party and State agencies important tasks of the country, sectors, fields and localities that need critical participation of Unions of Associations and scientific and technical associations; Actively and closely coordinating with relevant sectors to review and synthesize the plan of consultancy for important programs, topics and projects that need consultancy and social evaluation; Organizing conferences and seminars to share information on socio-economic development, important programs and projects of the country, industry, field and locality, thereby suggesting issues that need social support and assessment; Proactively and actively mobilizing resources to perform well the function of consultancy and social evaluation, including financial resources; Building a database of experts, information, data, and references to serve the consultancy, questioning and social evaluation; Strengthening the coordination between Unions of Associations and the agency in charge of drafting programs and projects in order to create consensus and assimilate the opinions of the consultancy and social evaluation; Continuing to finalize and renew mechanisms and policies on consultancy, questioning and social evaluation, including the mechanism on task assignment of the Party and State and the mechanism on requesting consultancy, questioning and social evaluation in the spirit of the Conclusion No. 93-KL/TW.

The picture of the seminar