During a dialogue conference between the provincial People's Committee chairman and youth on 8/8, 250 delegates attended, with 16 individuals directly posing questions and proposing solutions related to socio-economic development, digital transformation, startups, agriculture, and employment.

Pham Anh Tuan, chairman of the Gia Lai provincial People's Committee, at the dialogue session with 250 young people. *Ngoc Oanh*

Pham Anh Tuan stated that young people should not ask conventional questions but engage in open debate, offering direct, creative perspectives and expressing their aspirations. He hoped the youth would focus on "contributing ideas" for the province's key issues, especially the development of commodity agriculture, digital transformation, startups, and the creation of new models.

According to the provincial People's Committee chairman, young people should also propose branded platforms that both meet youth needs and contribute to promoting Gia Lai's image and tourism development.

Drawing from local realities, Ksor Uyn, secretary of the Ia Pa commune Youth Union, noted that the western part of the province has significant potential for commodity agriculture development, but production remains small-scale, lacks linkages, has unstable output, and limited application of digital transformation.

He proposed that the province develop large-scale production areas, build value chains from production and processing to consumption, and create conditions for young people to invest in and develop the economy.

Nguyen Thi Huong, secretary of the Ia Ping hamlet Youth Union in Ia Ly commune, pointed out that young people have limited opportunities to access green economic models, sustainable agriculture, and the carbon credit market. She expressed hope that the province would implement policies to support youth participation in this sector, combining economic development with climate change adaptation.

Delegates also raised concerns about job scarcity in border regions and ethnic minority areas; capital, land funds, technology infrastructure, and testing environments for startup projects; the application of artificial intelligence in education, agriculture, and e-commerce; preserving gong culture in conjunction with tourism; social housing, drug prevention, and policies for grassroots Youth Union officials after administrative unit reorganization.

Delegates raised concerns at the dialogue session with the Gia Lai provincial People's Committee chairman. *Ngoc Oanh*

Responding to the proposals, Pham Anh Tuan emphasized that young people need to be the leading force in innovation, scientific research, technology application, digital transformation, and startups.

According to him, every young person must proactively study, enhance their capabilities, master technology and foreign languages, and know how to utilize artificial intelligence for research. Consequently, proposals should be scientifically grounded, include specific methods, and demonstrate practical applicability.

Regarding startups, the provincial People's Committee chairman stated that young people should not aim to make money immediately but should start with ideas, passion, and a spirit of dedication. "The first thing you should talk about is an idea and the determination to execute it within your capabilities," he said.

The provincial government will act as a "launchpad", providing support in terms of mechanisms, procedures, and the legal environment to enable ideas to develop. Gia Lai plans to organize regular forums and platforms for young people to present their ideas and connect with regulatory bodies and businesses through a fundraising model.

The head of the provincial People's Committee also suggested that the Youth Union organization become a bridge, actively identifying, synthesizing, and nurturing ideas from the grassroots level. The Union should not just propose minor tasks but advise on programs and projects with significant scale and widespread impact. "Do not ask for 'a fish'," Tuan emphasized. "Instead, propose a large development idea with clear roles, and the government will be the launchpad."

According to the provincial People's Committee chairman, what the government desires from young people are not 'ask-and-give' proposals but sufficiently large ideas with specific implementation methods and clearly defined responsibilities for each party.

He expected Gia Lai's youth to shift from waiting for support to proactively creating, transforming potential and aspirations into concrete actions, contributing to new momentum for the locality.

Ngoc Oanh