Also attending were over 200 comrades from the Summer Program Steering Committee, commanders, deputy commanders, heads and deputy heads of the Organizing Committees of the exemplary summer volunteer programs and campaigns of Ho Chi Minh City from various periods; exemplary volunteer soldiers from various periods; exemplary reporters, editors, artists, and logistics personnel; and 35 exemplary host families and village heads who have been involved with summer volunteer programs and campaigns for many years.
President Vo Van Thuong delivers a speech. Photo: Thong Nhat/TTXVN
The program aims to recognize and commend generations of volunteer soldiers and host families who have made significant contributions and been involved in the summer volunteer programs and campaigns of Ho Chi Minh City youth over the past 30 years. The program creates an environment and conditions for meeting, interacting, and exchanging ideas and suggestions for future volunteer activities and movements of the city's youth.
From the Summer Cultural Enlightenment Campaign established in Ho Chi Minh City in 1994, summer volunteer activities have rapidly developed into the Green Summer Volunteer Campaign, the Exam Support Program, the Red Phoenix Volunteer Campaign, the Pink Holiday Volunteer Campaign, the Green March Volunteer Campaign, and the Green Shirt Tutoring Program.
President Vo Van Thuong delivers a speech. Photo: Thong Nhat/TTXVN
After 30 years, the Program has affirmed its immense significance and value, attracting 5 million young people in the city to participate and implementing 31,000 youth projects; building and repairing 7,720 houses of gratitude, compassion, and friendship; concreting, upgrading, and repairing 870 km of roads and repairing 500 rural bridges; installing lighting systems on rural roads and alleys with a total length of 200 km; planting 650,000 trees; providing health check-ups and consultations for 1.2 million people; donating 160,000 units of blood; and providing advice and support to 2.7 million candidates in the "Supporting Students During Exam Season" program… From these initiatives, the Central Youth Union has expanded summer volunteer programs and campaigns nationwide; to date, summer volunteer programs and campaigns have become a common meeting point for young people across the country.
As a co-author of the program in a previous period, President Vo Van Thuong expressed his emotion at meeting again with many generations of Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union officials, volunteer youth, and exemplary foster families from various periods.
The President emphasized that Ho Chi Minh City is the birthplace of many meaningful mass movements that have yielded practical results during the period of reform; among them, the City's Youth Volunteer Movement stands out as a vibrant and dynamic force, truly becoming a revolutionary action program with strong appeal and profound value for the city's youth.
"Let's immerse young people in the vibrant realities of social life; they will gain a deeper understanding of their country, the cause of the people and the nation. They will then act correctly in relation to the cause of the Party and the nation," the President said, adding that this is the most effective method of education employed by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union , through revolutionary action in practice.
President Vo Van Thuong and delegates. Photo: Thong Nhat/TTXVN
Emphasizing the significant achievements of youth volunteer activities in the city over the past 30 years, the President stated that, beyond all the numbers, what truly matters is the maturity in thinking, lifestyle, and understanding of the realities of the country's renewal process; the sharing with those in difficult circumstances; and the correct attitude, responsibility, and behavior of each individual involved in their own lives.
According to the President, each young volunteer feels proud to be called by the village elders and leaders in Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Binh Phuoc provinces or the Mekong Delta region with a very affectionate term: "Students and youth of Uncle Ho" - This is a great source of pride for generations of young volunteers.
Referring to the profound meanings of the passionate slogans of youth volunteer activities such as: "Go to grow," "Go so the people remember you, stay so the people love you, work so the people trust you," "Live to give, not just receive for yourself,"... President Vo Van Thuong said that these are the great results that youth movements have achieved. Every locality, every grassroots Youth Union organization, and every citizen deeply and concretely feels the great significance of these slogans. But the growth in character is the most important thing and the greatest harvest of the youth volunteer campaign.
President Vo Van Thuong with delegates. Photo: Thong Nhat/TTXVN
According to the President, the vibrant nature of the movement stems from the concerns of many generations of Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union officials regarding the practical realities of the city's and the country's development. This led to the identification of the Youth Union's tasks and the self-reflection on what young people can do to contribute to this common cause. Another reason is the attentive listening to the thoughts and feelings of young people and grassroots Youth Union organizations regarding their studies, work, daily lives, and leisure activities. This is also a crucial requirement for Youth Union officials today.
Another reason is the trust, support, and timely encouragement from city and local leaders, who always place great faith in young people. Along with that is the companionship, support, and care of the local people for the volunteer youth. The Youth Volunteer Movement has a generation of "movement mentors" who care for and assist, "providing support in everything from food, sleep, and accommodation to health inquiries and encouragement." There is also the success of the creative and proactive organizational work of the generation of Youth Union officials during the reform period. Youth Union officials seek ideas to organize movements, and once they have ideas, they think about organizing forces, finding resources and funding to implement them. The President shared that without a spirit of dedication, we cannot overcome challenges. The valuable characteristic of Youth Union officials is their dynamic, creative spirit and willingness to take risks.
President Vo Van Thuong with delegates attending the program. Photo: Thong Nhat/TTXVN
Referring to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's statement, "Our country has never had such potential, position, and international prestige as it does today," President Vo Van Thuong emphasized that the resolutions of the Party and the National Assembly have set many new requirements and tasks for Ho Chi Minh City, reflecting the city's strong aspiration for development but also the great expectations of the entire country for Ho Chi Minh City. In this development context, how and in what ways will the city's youth choose to contribute?
Emphasizing the willpower and determination of young people, the President stated that a spirit of volunteerism and dedication is essential. This spirit remains fresh within each individual and is strengthened by the nurturing influence of many generations and the guidance and support of the city's leaders and people.
The President expressed his hope that the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union would build upon the achievements of 30 years of youth volunteer programs and contribute even more to the city's development in the future.
According to VNA/News Agency
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