In remote communes of Lac Son district (Hoa Binh), where most of the people are ethnic minorities such as Muong and Thai, legal dissemination faces many difficulties due to language barriers, population qualifications and access to information. In that context, the role of village elders, village chiefs, and prestigious people in the community is increasingly clearly demonstrated, being a solid bridge between the government and the people.
With a deep understanding of local customs and practices and prestige in the community, prestigious people have actively participated in propagating the Party's guidelines and policies and the State's laws. Many people not only fully participate in legal training courses organized by the People's Committee of the commune or socio-political organizations but also volunteer to disseminate the knowledge they have learned to the people in local languages, through village meetings, festivals, family activities or simply chatting by the fire.
Mr. Bui Van Cu, an old man in Cai hamlet, Vu Binh commune, is one of the outstanding prestigious people. Every time there is a new legal document related to land, marriage - family or social evils prevention, he proactively asks the commune cadres to explain and then translate it for the villagers to understand easily. "The couple listens to me because they have lived together for a long time and understand each other. I say everything must be true, must be reasonable for people to listen. Maintaining village order and complying with the law also means keeping the village peaceful, he said.
In Tu Do commune, the model of "Preditable people participating in maintaining security and order" has clearly promoted its effectiveness. The village chiefs regularly coordinate with the commune police and the Youth Union to encourage people to hand over weapons and explosives, and commit not to participate in gambling or drug use. Some land disputes and conflicts in the family were also resolved peacefully thanks to the mediation of prestigious people in the village.
Ms. Phan Thi Hong Van, Secretary of Lac Son District Youth Union, shared: In the Youth Union's legal propaganda activities, we always closely coordinate with village elders and village chiefs. They are the ones who help us " Talking about winning" the psychology of the people, creating trust and high consensus in the community."
Not only stopping at the role of communicating, many prestigious people are exemplary in implementing the law, encouraging children and grandchildren not to violate regulations on security and order, not to assist criminals. They are the "soft milestones" protecting the peaceful life of the highlands, the "light of the way" for young people in the process of building new rural areas.
Promoting the role of prestigious people in legal dissemination not only helps shorten the gap between policies and life, but is also an effective and sustainable way to build a united ethnic minority community, living and working according to the Constitution and the law.
