The article raises some specific issues about the role of ethnic relations in sustainable development in the Central Highlands, the structural characteristics of ethnic people of the Central Highlands, simultaneously analyses the characteristics of ethnic relations in the Central Highlands today. | Vietnam Social Sciences, No. 2(160) - 2014 ETHNIC RELATIONS IN THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS DURING THE PERIOD OF INDUSTRIALIZATION, MODERNIZATION AND INTERNATIONAL INTEGRATION PHAM QUANG HOAN * Abstract: Ethnic relations is now a topical and urgent issue which needs special attention, especially in some strategic areas where there are diverse ethnic composition and religion, including the Central Highlands. In particular, in the context of development, international integration and globalization today, ethnic relations and ethnic management in the Central Highlands are facing many opportunities but also many difficulties and challenges. The article raises some specific issues about the role of ethnic relations in sustainable development in the Central Highlands, the structural characteristics of ethnic people of the Central Highlands, simultaneously analyses the characteristics of ethnic relations in the Central Highlands today. On this basis, the article raises a number of issues in ethnic relations in the Central Highlands associated with the comprehensive and sustainable development in economy, society, culture, environmental protection and rational use of natural resources; political stability, security and defense; strengthening the national unity bloc, all are urgent tasks of strategic significance in the current situation. Key words: Ethnic group, ethnic relations, Central Highlands. 1. Role of Ethnic Relations in Sustainable Development in the Central Highlands In recent years, ethnic relations has been a matter of urgency that needs special attention, especially in some strategic areas which have diverse ethnic composition and religion, including the Central Highlands. Local conflict, ethnic collision appeared in a number of places, affecting the stability and sustainable development of the region, and also new problems arose in the relations among ethnic groups themselves, ethnic groups and the nation – the country. Ethnic relations is not constant, it .
