Vietnam attends International Conference of Indigenous Peoples for Peace and Development in Venezuela

The display area of traditional costumes of Vietnamese ethnic groups attracted the attention of many visitors to the Conference. (Photo: Embassy of Vietnam in Venezuela)

On December 8 and 9, in Caracas, Venezuela, the “International Conference of Indigenous Peoples for Peace and Development” took place, with the participation of representatives from 15 countries, including Vietnam. Vietnam was the only Asian country to attend this event.

Attending and speaking at the opening ceremony of the Conference, emphasizing that culture is a solid path to building peace and sustainable development, Venezuelan Minister of Indigenous Peoples Clara Vidal said that in the context of many indigenous communities around the world facing the risk of losing their livelihoods and cultural identity due to the impact of uncontrolled resource exploitation.

Therefore, preserving the identity of indigenous peoples in the context of globalization is a major challenge, requiring comprehensive strategies focusing on self-determination, education, culture and economy . The goal is for indigenous communities to adapt without being assimilated.

With the message “Preserving peace through preserving ethnic culture”, Vietnamese director Nguyen Bong Mai brought to the Conference simple but profound stories about women of ethnic minorities in Vietnam – those who “persist in keeping the flame of culture alive, writing the story of peace from their own lives”.

Director Nguyen Bong Mai presents books and a Pieu scarf to Venezuelan Minister of Indigenous Peoples Clara Vidal. (Photo: Embassy of Vietnam in Venezuela)

At the conference, Vietnam introduced and displayed a number of traditional costumes of the Khang, Xa Phang, Red Dao, Lu and Black Ha Nhi ethnic groups. Each pattern, material and stitch on each costume told a story of harmony between people and the mountains and forests, expressing the enduring vitality of the mountainous communities. The Vietnamese pavilion, imbued with the unique cultural features of the Vietnamese ethnic groups, attracted and made a strong impression on thousands of delegates attending the event.

Emphasizing the significance of Vietnam – the only Asian country participating in the “International Conference of Indigenous Peoples for Peace and Development”, Vietnamese Ambassador to Venezuela Vu Trung My affirmed that, through introducing the identity of 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam, especially the role of women in preserving heritage, the Vietnamese representative has contributed to spreading the message of peace – a peace originating from respect for identity.

“Vietnam’s presence in Caracas this time not only helps expand the cultural bridge between the two sides of the Pacific, but also affirms Vietnam’s commitment to the common effort to build a world of diversity, peace and sustainable development,” Ambassador Vu Trung My emphasized.

Khanh Lan

Source: https://nhandan.vn/viet-nam-tham-du-hoi-nghi-quoc-te-cua-cac-dan-toc-ban-dia-vi-hoa-binh-va-phat-trien-tai-venezuela-post929070.html