In order to further standardize the management of folk belief venues in Ningbo, after full research and solicitation of opinions in the early stage, and after deliberation and approval at the director general’s office meeting, Ningbo Municipal Bureau of Citizen Religious Affairs has recently issued the Notice of Ningbo Municipal Bureau of Nationalities and Religions on Doing a Good Job in Folk Belief Venues. The Notice clarifies the management objectives of folk belief venues, details the management responsibilities and requirements, and focuses on answering the questions of “whether to manage”, “who should manage”, “how to manage”, and “what are the management priorities”, which has a positive guiding role in the management of grassroots folk belief affairs.
First, the guiding ideology. To create a good environment for promoting the economic and social development of Ningbo.
The second is the main goal. Adhere to the principle of adjusting measures to local conditions and governing according to customs, strengthen classified guidance, clarify the requirements for standardized management of folk belief venues, improve the management level of folk belief affairs, promote democratic internal management, standardized activities and transparent financial management of folk belief venues, reflect the cultural, social and historical nature of folk beliefs, prevent superstition and commercialization of belief activities, and achieve safety, stability and harmony of folk belief venues.
Third, work responsibility. Folk belief affairs shall be subject to territorial management. The religious affairs departments of the municipal, district/county (city) governments are responsible for the centralized management of folk belief affairs, policy formulation and guidance, site registration number, supervision and management of activities, etc. Township governments (sub district offices) are responsible for the daily management of folk belief affairs and establish a regular contact mechanism with folk belief venues. The villagers’ (residents’) committee shall assist in the management of the daily affairs of the places for folk belief activities, and keep abreast of the conditions of the places for folk belief activities. The democratic management organization in the place of folk belief activities is responsible for managing the specific affairs of the place, and the internal operation is standardized, orderly and safe.
Fourth, work requirements. In accordance with the basic requirements of “respecting faith, taking responsibility at different levels, standardizing management and paying attention to guidance”, we should strengthen work guidance and supervision, promote the comprehensive improvement of folk belief activity sites, actively explore practice, innovate carriers, build a platform, create a brand, improve the standard management level of folk belief activity sites, promote the construction of folk belief culture, and give play to the positive role of folk belief in promoting social peace, harmony and stability. The Notice specifies the conditions for the registration and numbering of places for folk belief activities in terms of organizational system, personnel management, activity development, property management, safety production, etc; In combination with the management of religious venues in our city and the annual key work of our bureau, the “five entry” venues, cultural construction, public charity, etc. are included in the standards of key or demonstration folk belief venues to improve the overall quality of folk belief venues; In combination with the actual situation of the folk belief activity sites in our city, we will formulate mechanisms such as site exit procedures, revocation of site registration numbers and inclusion in the management “list”, and explore new ways to manage folk belief activity sites.