INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP: “CULTURAL DIVERSITY MANAGEMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF INTERNATIONAL INTEGRATION”

Cross-culture and acculturation have witnessed strong development in the process of international integration, which requires multicultural management. Countries have recently given more focus on multicultural management in the process of globalization.

On October 24^th, 2019, the National Academy of Public Administration organized the International Workshop: “Cultural diversity management in the context of international integration” in collaboration with the Convergence Institute for Asian Multicultural Studies, INHA University, South Korea. The international workshop was live streamed to NAPA Branches in Hue City, Hochiminh City, and Central Highlands.

Co-chairing the Workshop were Dr. Dang Xuan Hoan, NAPA President; Dr. Youngsoon Kim, Head, the Convergence Institute for Asian Multicultural Studies, INHA University, Korea; Assoc.Prof.Dr. Dang Khac Anh, Dean, Faculty of State Management of Social Affairs, NAPA; Dr. Chu Xuan Khanh, senior lecturer, NAPA; Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Thi Hong Hai, Dean, Faculty of Administrative Sciences and Organization-Personnel Management, NAPA.

Presented in the workshop were international guests: Mr. Carlos A. Amores Balbin, Ambassador, official in charge of political and economic affairs,  Embassy of the Republic of Cuba to Vietnam; Ms. Nataliya Zhynkina, Chargé d’Affaires and Mr. Vladyslav Pereverziev, Third Secretary, Embassy of Ukraine to Vietnam; Mr. Arman Urazbayev, Embassy of Kazakhstan to Vietnam; Ms. Eunjae Choi, Cultural Heritage Management Officer, UNESCO to Viet Nam.

Workshop international presenters and discussants were scholars from INHA University, INCHEON University, BUSAN University, ULSAN National Institute of Science and Technology, South Korea; Freie University Berlin, Germany.

Attending the international workshop were officials from central agencies: Assoc.Prof.Dr. Ta Minh Tuan, Assistant to Chairperson of Central Committee, Vietnam Fatherland Front; leaders from Department of UNESCO, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; representatives from Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, Ministry of Public Security.

Scholars from universities, institutes such as Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts Studies, University of Home Affairs, University of Culture attended the workshop.

Scholars from NAPA attending the international workshop were Assoc.Prof.Dr. Luong Thanh Cuong, NAPA Vice President; NAPA faculties, administrators, staff, and students.

In the opening speech, Dr. Dang Xuan Hoan stated multicultural management is challenging and different countries apply different approaches to multicultural management. The recognition of multiculturalism implies existence of  different communities in society, which reflects the current state of the cultural life. Public policy should promote the similarities and the common good values ​​of cultures while maintaining cultural identity, create opportunities for dialogue between cultures, aim to reach the goals of Truth – Goodness – Beauty, promote development culture, adaptation culture. Multiculturalism enriches the national cultural life.

NAPA President expected Vietnamese and Korean scholars and practitioners to share ideas and approaches to multicultural management during the workshop. The workshop serves as a cooperation bridge between the National Academy of Public Administration and INHA University, and more broadly, it will contribute to the strengthening of the friendship between Vietnam and Korea and promotion of the cultural diversity in each country.

The workshop “Cultural diversity management in the context of international integration” consisted three sessions, focusing on the following topics: (1) Cultural diversity in the context of international integration: opportunities and challenges for public management; (2) Experience in cultural diversity management, immigration policy and social inclusion; (3) Enhancing management capacity in an environment of cultural diversity.

Workshop presentations include: “Multicultural Society and Social Inclusion Policy” by Dr. Youngsoon Kim; “International economic integration and its impact on public management” by Dr. Chu Xuan Khanh; “The role of public library in multicultural society in Korea” by Dr. Jong Do Park; “Cultural diversity in Vietnam and the issues of state management of culture in the context of international integration” by Dr. Dang Thi Minh; “A study on the expectations and experiences of the Korea immigrants and integration program participants – Focused on the foreign workers” by Dr. Younghun Oh; “A study on the experience of social welfare service for married women from Southeast Asia” by Dr. Mijung Lee; “A study on welfare system and psychological care for immigrant youths in Korea: Implications for social integration” by Youngsub Oh; “Labor mobility in the context of international integration and the role of the State in managing foreign workers in Vietnam” by Dr. Ta Thi Huong; “Enhancing management capacity in multicultural working environment” by Assoc.Prof.Dr. Bui Thanh Thuy; “State management of culture in the context of multiculturalism in Vietnam” by Dr. Nguyen Thi Huong; “Cultural diversity management from a religious perspective in Vietnam in the context of international integration” by Dr. Ngo Van Tran.

The issues of approaches to multiculturalism, policy of multicultural management, impacts of international economic integration on public management, opportunities and challenges in public management in Vietnam were discussed during the workshop. In the context of increasing immigration and cultural diversity, Korean multicultural policies focus more on social inclusion, targeting to immigrants. South Korea should make more efforts to promote social inclusion and multicultural management, moving beyond the perception of a homogeneous nation.

During the workshop, many participants agreed that a focus should be given on social inclusion in a multicultural environment with the respect of differences of people in society instead of on social homogeneity. It is necessary to strengthen  cultural management institutions, formulate cultural policies which are commensurate with the current context of international integration and multiculturalism, complete the system of legal documents on culture, copyright and related rights in accordance with international standards and practice in Vietnam. There is a need to change the mindset in public management to make management practice commensurate with the current culturally diverse society …

In the closing remarks, Dr. Youngsoon Kim summarized the presentations and comments of the workshop participants in the three workshop sessions. He  emphasized the Convergence Institute of Asian Multicultural Studies,  INHAN University will incorporate the workshop inputs and other research works over the past years for publication in 2020.

Dr. Youngsoon Kim also wishes that Vietnam and Korea expand cooperation relationship not only in economic fields but also in culture and social studies.

Dr. Chu Xuan Khanh appreciated the presence and contributions by international and domestics scholars during the workshop. He stated the workshop inputs contribute to studies and practice of multicultural management in Vietnam and will be used as reference materials for future training and research on culture in Vietnam.