Young people and the mission of future city

The Party Central Committee’s approval in principle of establishing Dong Nai as a centrally governed city marks a milestone reflecting Dong Nai province’s growth after years of development. It also opens up opportunities for the locality to achieve stronger breakthroughs in terms of economy, infrastructure, urban quality, social governance, and people’s livelihoods.

Students of Le Quy Don - Long Binh Tan High School in Long Hung Ward introduce the learning project "Vietnamese Soul: Connecting the Country - Era of Ascent" displayed at the school. Photo: Nga Son

With advantages in creative mindset, quick adaptability, and a pioneering spirit, young people are expected to play a key role in building a smart, modern, sustainable, and livable city.

Seizing opportunities, overcoming challenges

Provincial Party Committee member, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the province, Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union Nguyen Minh Kien, affirmed: Dong Nai's efforts to become a city directly under the Central Government is a strategically significant development step. This is not only an administrative change but also opens up a new development phase with a higher stature, position, and requirements for the entire province. When Dong Nai becomes a centrally governed city, for young people, this is a "boost" that opens up many new opportunities for learning, working, starting businesses, and personal development. Young people will also have better access to science and technology, digital transformation, high-quality labor markets, and new development models.

According to Provincial Party Committee member, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the province, Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union Nguyen Minh Kien, in the new context, youth union members, teenagers, and children are very sensitive and creative. If the Youth Union, Youth Association, and Young Pioneer Organization do not innovate in thinking, content, and operating methods, it will be very difficult to accompany and promote the role of youth in the overall development of the locality.

Specifically, when Dong Nai becomes a centrally governed city, the locality will strongly attract large enterprises, technology corporations, services, finance, etc., leading to a rapid increase in the demand for high-quality human resources. Job opportunities for young people will expand, and young people will no longer have to leave their hometowns to find jobs but can develop their careers right where they live. The learning environment and access to knowledge will also be enhanced as universities, research centers, and international training programs are invested in or expanded in centrally governed cities. This helps young people easily access new knowledge, especially in the fields of technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

Besides, when Dong Nai becomes a centrally governed city, its infrastructure will be improved, and the innovation ecosystem will develop - this is an opportunity for young people to have more conditions to test startup ideas, build businesses, connect with investors and the market, especially in the fields of technology, e-commerce, tourism, creative services, etc. The development of transportation, healthcare, culture, and entertainment systems provides young people with a modern, dynamic living environment with more experiences. This is also an important factor to attract and retain young human resources.

Du Thi Thanh Xuan, Secretary of the Youth Union of Binh Long High School in Binh Long Ward shared: "Not just myself, but most young people in the province feel happy and excited about the news that Dong Nai will become a centrally governed city in the near future. However, besides the opportunities that open up after Dong Nai becomes a centrally governed city, I also deeply realize the challenges that young people will face as the context changes."

In particular, young people will have to face pressure regarding professional qualifications, vocational skills, digital skills, foreign languages, and the ability to adapt to a competitive and integrated environment. Young people also face higher demands regarding civic consciousness, social responsibility, cultural conduct, and the ability to work in a modern urban environment... Amidst intertwined opportunities and challenges, the requirement for young people is to mature, become more resilient, seize opportunities, overcome difficulties to break through, leverage advantages, and contribute more to the future development of Dong Nai City.

Upgrading to match the future city status

Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union Nguyen Minh Kien affirmed: Youth play an extremely important role, being both beneficiaries and direct contributors to the process of building Dong Nai into a centrally governed city. Young people need to see this as an opportunity to upgrade themselves, ensuring they have sufficient capacity to accompany the development of the locality.

Students of Nguyen Binh Khiem Secondary School (Tran Bien Ward) experience the creative product Electronic Periodic Table of Elements. Photo: Nga Son

According to Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union Nguyen Minh Kien, to seize opportunities and overcome challenges, youth union members, teenagers, and children need thorough preparation. The first thing young people need to prepare is a new mindset. This must be a proactive, integrated, innovative mindset, and a spirit of readiness to adapt to the rapid changes of modern society.

Beyond proper awareness, each young person needs to transform that awareness into concrete actions and deeds by preparing well in terms of knowledge, skills, and resilience. Knowledge is not only about professional expertise but also encompasses social understanding, law, technology, foreign languages, and digital skills. The necessary skills are not limited to professional skills but also include: communication skills, teamwork, problem-solving, time management, and adaptability in a competitive environment. Resilience is the ability to overcome difficulties, dare to think, dare to act, dare to take responsibility, and uphold the good values of youth. In addition, to become citizens of the future city, young people need to prepare themselves with urban civic consciousness - which is a spirit of responsible, civilized, disciplined living, knowing how to respect the community, protect the environment, obey the law... contributing to building a modern, compassionate city.

During Dong Nai's journey to become a centrally governed city, the Youth Union, Youth Association, and Young Pioneer Organization are not only a propaganda force but also a companion force, creating an environment and promoting youth to strive for comprehensive development. In the coming time, the Youth Union, Youth Association, and Young Pioneer Organization in the province will continue to excel in propaganda work to create unity in awareness, arouse a sense of responsibility, and the aspiration to contribute among young people. It is necessary to focus on fostering skills for Youth Union officials, union members, teenagers, and children, especially in terms of digital skills, integration, adaptability, and organizing activities in the new context.

In addition, the Youth Union will also continue to implement movements and activities suitable for the requirements of a modern city such as: building civilized urban areas, environmental protection, community digital transformation, administrative reform, maintaining security and order, spreading beautiful lifestyles among young people…; at the same time, meeting the needs for skills, employment, digital capabilities, volunteer spirit, social responsibility... of each group of young people.

Every positive change of Youth Union, union members, teenagers, and children today will serve as a solid foundation for shaping the future city. When young people dare to innovate, take action, and continuously improve themselves, they are actively contributing to the creation of a civilized, modern, and sustainable urban area.

By Nga Son – Translated by Mai Nga, Thu Ha