Spreading digital transformation from villages and alleys
Digital transformation in handling administrative procedures is an inevitable trend, but for many people in residential areas, especially rural areas, and the elderly, this is not easy. Understanding that, nearly 20,000 union members and young people of Hung Yen province have been mobilized to go to villages, hamlets, and residential areas to support people to get acquainted with online public services.
In Hong Chau ward (Hung Yen province), since the beginning of July - the time when the locality officially implemented the two-level local government model - the ward youth union has organized a volunteer team to guide people to perform online public services, and at the same time propagated about the new working addresses of the ward government after the merger.
Talking to Lao Dong, Mr. Duong Huu Khanh - Secretary of the Hong Chau Ward Youth Union said: "The most obvious problem is that many people, especially in rural areas, have never been exposed or rarely use technology, so they have difficulty registering and submitting documents online".
To remove this difficulty, the ward youth union has divided into two groups: one group is on duty at the ward's Public Administration Center to directly support when people come to do procedures, the other group goes to each residential area to answer questions about the place of reception, how to use public services, and especially the two-level government organization model - which is still very new after the merger of administrative units.
Notably, the locality is planning to organize "Digital education classes" - basic classes for the elderly, helping them know how to use basic electronic devices and practice submitting public service documents online.
"In the immediate future, the elderly still need support to apply directly. But with these classes, we hope that in the future they will be able to operate themselves or at least understand the process to avoid being passive when there are procedures that need to be resolved, Mr. Khanh shared.
The majority of people are satisfied
In reality, in the early stages of implementation, many people were hesitant, even somewhat confused when hearing about "having to submit documents online". But after being guided step by step and enthusiastically explained by the union members, the reception gradually improved.
Mr. Khanh added: "At first, many people complained that it was inconvenient and unfamiliar. But after understanding the convenience of not having to travel many times, being able to monitor the status of processing documents... most people are satisfied. There are elderly people who were previously afraid to go to the ward People's Committee, but now proactively ask their children and grandchildren to open their phones to get instructions on how to register for procedures".
Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa (68 years old, Hong Chau ward) shared: "Before, I had to go all the way to the ward, sometimes I had to go home with missing papers. Now that the children come to my house to instruct me on how to submit documents online, I was initially worried because I didn't use a smartphone, but the children just take it step by step and are very patient. I had procedures to ask my son to help open the phone, and he followed suit. Now I find it much more convenient, less costly to travel.
The synchronous implementation of support and guidance activities for people not only helps increase the rate of online public service use but also creates a friendly environment between the government and the people - especially during the period of many changes in organization and headquarters after Hung Yen province merged.
Despite many difficulties ahead, especially in accessing technology for a part of the population, support models close to the grassroots such as in Hong Chau are showing clear results. With a young, enthusiastic and technologically knowledgeable force, youth union members are playing an important role in "digital transformation from alleys and neighborhoods" - a place that seems very unfamiliar with this phrase.
