The symposium, co-organised by the Fulbright Centre and the Alliance for Peacebuilding (AfP), two US non-profit organizations, aims to build a more peaceful world and honours the most peaceful countries in the world.

The symposium attracted the 18 countries with the highest Global Peace Index (GPI) in 2009. The GPI, produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace in Sydney, Australia, is composed of 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators. Vietnam ranks 39th among 144 countries in the GPI’s ranking and second after Singapore in South Asia and Southeast Asia.

According to a report of the symposium’s organizing board, Vietnam has made significant contributions to peace. Although the country recently fought two wars it is now one of the most peaceful countries in Southeast Asia. Vietnam has achieved stability through an economic reform that the world knows as “Doi Moi”.

The report emphasised that Vietnam is always committed to peace and security in the region and the world and sets an example in military restraint.

Pham Van Chuong, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Peace and Development Fund said many countries have praised Vietnam’s success in maintaining peace through economic development, improving local people’s living condition and supporting other countries.