Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has lauded the Vietnam Journalists’Association (VJA) for its contributions to socio-economic developmentover the past 63 years, saying that it has forged social unity andhelped put the country on the right track for sustainable development.

Working with the association’s board of executives in Hanoi onJuly 23, PM Dung asked the VJA to train its members in professionalskills and ethics as well as raise their political awareness, make theNational Press Award more attractive while expanding external relationsto foster friendship and cooperation with foreign colleagues.

Addressing the event, VJA Chairman Thuan Huu said since itsestablishment 63 years ago, VJA - a political, social and professionalorganisation made up of Vietnamese journalists - has kept growing. Itnow has over 19,000 members in chapters scattered across 63 cites andprovinces nationwide.

Last year, VJA held over 200 seminars, exchanges and training courses on political awareness and professional skills.

Its Centre for Media Training has launched 40 different courses which are open to nearly 900 members, Thuan said.

In the coming time, it will look to strengthen itself by stepping uppolitical education and popularising the campaign “Study and followPresident Ho Chi Minh’s example”.

It will actively act to ensureall of its members fulfil their assigned tasks without breachingprofessional etiquette and engage in more social activities.

PM Dung and leaders of ministries also commented on VJA’s proposals to enhance its future role and position.-VNA