At the fifth International Seminar on Regional Network on Poverty Eradication (RENPER 5), which opened yesterday in HCM City, foreign and Vietnamese academics are presenting proposals that could help Vietnam and other countries reduce its poverty rate. “RENPER fosters co-operative initiatives among universities through international seminars, conferences and forums. It also triggers co-operation among governments, NGOS and private organizations in facilitating existing programs and strategies in poverty reduction,” Associate Professor Ly Hoang Anh, president of the Banking University of HCM City, and chairman of RENPER 5, told the seminar attendees. Since 1986, Vietnam, with a per capita income below $100, has risen to become a middle low-income country, with per capita income of $1,960 in 2013, leading to a drop in the poverty rate from over 70% to less than 20%. However, poverty-reduction programs are still urgently needed, as the wealth-gap among regions has not narrowed, and the proportion of poor ethnic minorities accounts for almost 50% of poor households in Vietnam. In addition, the poverty rate in urban areas has increased due to rapid urbanization, and a new risk of rural and coastal areas falling into poverty again has emerged. “Poverty reduction is one of the significant targets of huge concern for the Vietnamese Government as well as the people. The Government still faces a number of difficulties and challenges that need to be overcome,” said Luong Ngoc Bich of the Banking University of HCM City. Professor Hj Ibrahim Che Omar, director of the Kelantan Jeli campus of the University of Malaysia, and general chairman of RENPER, said RENPER was created to raise awareness among communities and provide opportunities for academics to play an active role in overcoming problems associated with poverty. "It is hoped that this seminar will focus on creating collaborative initiatives among academicians from participating universities, which will lead to joint research and publication," he added. Over 80 policymakers, researchers and scholars from public organizations, international organizations, research institutes and universities in South and Southeast Asia are presenting their research and solutions to poverty eradication in the region. (Vietnam News Oct 23)
