The executive board of the General Association of Vietnamese in Belgium for the 2023-2026 tenure makes debut. (Photo: VNA) Brussels (VNA) – The General Association of Vietnamese in Belgium (GAVB)held a congress for the 2023-2026 tenure in Brussels on December 17.
The event tookplace at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Belgiumdiplomatic ties and marked ten years since the GAVB was set up.
GAVB Chairman Huynh Cong My reviewed the outstanding activities of the associationover the past ten years, saying it has maintained close contact with the State Committee for OverseasVietnamese Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and updated information on policies towards overseasVietnamese to disseminate to its members.
Its executive board has expandedrelationships with Vietnamese associations in other European countries such asGermany, the Czech Republic, France, and the Netherlands, thereby organisingexchange activities and enhancing understanding as well as contributing to theactivities of the Union of Vietnamese People Associations in Europe, he continued.
Determining thatforeign affairs and strengthening cooperation with the host country’s organisationsare also extremely important, the GAVB has held meetings with the authorities of Ixelles district- where the Vietnamese Embassy is headquartered - and received support in implementingcommunity activities.
Every year, itorganises traditional cultural activities towards the homeland such as Tet (LunarNew Year) Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival. These events attract the participationof Vietnamese-Belgian families and Vietnamese people living in Belgium, hesaid, adding that these are opportunities to help children born and raised in theEuropean country better understand Vietnamese culture.
The GAVB now has250 members of various ages and backgrounds, My said, describing it as an advantagefor the association to develop future activities.
A new executive board with 15 members was elected at the congress with Huynh Cong My re-elected as the chairman for the 2023-2026 tenure.
Onthis occasion, Vu Thu Thuy, Deputy Ambassador of Vietnam to Belgium, highlyappreciated the efforts and achievements of the GAVB over the past years. Sheaffirmed that the embassy always accompanies and supports the association tobuild a united and prosperous community./.
