Behind these results lies the persistent, silent, yet dedicated contribution of the team of mediators – those who are considered the reliable "pillars" of the people in every village, hamlet, and neighborhood of Dong Nai .
Passionate about mediation work.
When mentioning Mr. Sa Tac Phi, the residents of Tan Thuy neighborhood (Xuan Lap ward, Dong Nai province) all express respect and trust. This is because he is one of the exemplary figures in grassroots mediation work, having been dedicated to this work for the past 22 years.
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| Members of the Tan Thuy neighborhood mediation team (Xuan Lap ward) are ready to receive and listen to feedback from residents in order to find reasonable and appropriate solutions. Photo: An Nhon |
Not only is Mr. Sa Tac Phi a respected figure in the Chinese community, but he is also trusted by the people and elected as a member of the Tan Thuy neighborhood mediation team, participating continuously, responsibly, and effectively. According to Mr. Phi, each position has its own unique characteristics, but they complement each other very well. He always sees himself as a "bridge," an "extended arm" of the Party and government in disseminating policies, guidelines, and laws; mobilizing the people to develop socio -economic conditions, maintain security and order, and preserve national cultural identity. His exemplary conduct, approachability, understanding of the people, and dedication to the people have helped him build strong trust within the community. And from that, when mediating conflicts and disputes, his words always carry weight, and he is listened to and respected by the people.
A distinctive feature of Tan Thuy neighborhood is that approximately 72% of its residents are ethnic Chinese. The neighborhood's mediation team, established early and operating effectively, has promptly resolved conflicts and disputes arising in daily life.
From neighborly conflicts and marital discord to land and access disputes, day or night, whenever people need him, Mr. Phi is always ready to go to their homes with the mediation team to understand the situation and provide a fair and reasonable explanation. Thanks to his dedication, many cases have been resolved smoothly at the grassroots level, and for many years, there have been no complaints escalated to higher levels in the area.
"I've lived in the area for many years, so I'm familiar with the circumstances and lives of each household. This makes it easier for me to participate in mediation, because the people trust me and are willing to listen..." - Mr. Phi shared.
Many grassroots mediators hope that in the future, training and professional development will continue to receive more attention, especially the timely updating of new legal documents… This will help improve their knowledge, skills, and experience, contributing to raising the quality of grassroots mediation work in the province.
In Cau Van hamlet, Thong Nhat commune, Mr. Tran Doan Quy (Head of the Mediation Team) is also a familiar face with extensive experience in grassroots mediation work. Cau Van hamlet currently has 480 households with over 2,000 inhabitants, of which over 80% are Catholic.
According to Mr. Quy, the establishment of mediation teams is absolutely necessary, helping to resolve conflicts and disputes promptly, preventing them from dragging on, becoming complicated, and causing disunity in the community. To do this job well, mediators not only need dedication but also must constantly improve their legal knowledge and professional skills.
According to Mr. Quy's experience, mediators need to master core skills such as: communication skills; skills in gathering information and documents to clearly identify the causes of conflict; and skills in flexibly applying the law in combination with local customs, traditions, and good practices. In addition, skills in organizing and conducting mediation sessions, as well as skills in advising, explaining, and persuading parties to reach a voluntary and harmonious agreement, are decisive factors for success.
"One of the effective methods is to leverage reputable and influential relationships with the disputing parties. When people the parties trust are involved, mediation becomes much easier and the success rate is very high," Mr. Quy confided.
To prevent small issues from becoming big problems.
Having dedicated over 14 years to mediation work, Ms. Pham Thi Lien, Head of Lang Lon Hamlet, Cam My Commune, is one of the exemplary, dedicated, and responsible mediators. For her outstanding contributions, in 2023, she was awarded a certificate of commendation by the Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee for her excellent achievements in implementing the 2013 Law on Mediation at the grassroots level over the past 10 years.
According to Ms. Lien, each case has its own unique nature and circumstances, so a single model cannot be applied mechanically. When there are neighborly conflicts, she invites both parties to the hamlet office to discuss the matter; for marital disputes, she personally visits the homes to understand the situation and resolve it amicably; and for complex disputes such as land disputes, she and the members of the mediation team must go to the scene to thoroughly investigate before proposing a suitable solution. Thanks to careful preparation and smooth coordination, most cases are resolved fairly and reasonably, with the people's agreement.
In Phu Tan village, Phu Rieng commune, Mr. Nguyen Van Sau (Party Secretary, Village Head, and Head of the Mediation Team) is considered a strong pillar of support for the people. Phu Tan village has 609 households with over 2,100 inhabitants. Previously, due to limited awareness, conflicts in community life were quite common. However, since the mediation team began operating effectively, the situation has improved significantly.
“We determined that conflicts must be resolved as soon as possible. If left unresolved, ‘small matters’ can become ‘big matters,’ leading to unpredictable consequences. Therefore, regardless of day or night, rain or shine, whenever people need us, I and the members of the team quickly go to the area, understand their concerns and aspirations, and resolve issues promptly,” Mr. Sau shared.
Mr. Phi, Mr. Quy, Mr. Sau, and Ms. Lien are just four of many dedicated and responsible individuals involved in grassroots mediation work. Their contributions have significantly improved the quality of mediation activities throughout the province. In particular, they have helped strengthen community bonds, fostering mutual understanding and sharing among residents, and contributing to the sustainable development of cultural life in their communities.
An Nhon
Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/phap-luat/202601/diem-tua-tham-lang-cua-nhan-dan-9602a39/
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