The poverty rate among ethnic minority groups has been reduced from 47% in 2007 to 28.8% in 2010. The information was given at a seminar on poverty reduction and equality promotion for ethnic people, which was jointly held by the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations, the Institute for Studies of Society, Economy and Environment and the centre on sustainable development in mountainous areas, in Hanoi on August 31. Participants said though the State has had various support programs for ethnic people, there are still problems facing them such as the lack of opportunities for women to receive an education, the small number of people having access to educational, training and healthcare services, and people lacking entrepreneurial spirit and knowledge. Participants at the event proposed measures to reduce poverty such as increasing knowledge for ethnic minority groups, transferring technology, raising public awareness of law and building a mechanism for the implementation of projects in localities. Le Quang Binh, Director of the Institute for Studies of Society, Economy and Environment, said land and forest areas should be entrusted to ethnic minority groups, giving them a basic opportunity to earn a firm living. Besides, education and training programs for local officials and people of ethnic minority groups should receive increased investment in the future, he added. (vovnews.vn Aug 31)
