Difference between revisions of "Vietnam NGO Sector"
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| − | ''This article is based on an article by Kate Perchuk titled "Vietnam and the Third Sector."'' | + | ''This article is based on an article written for the NGO Handbook by Kate Perchuk titled "Vietnam and the Third Sector."'' |
| − | Currently non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in Vietnam are as diverse as the programs and projects they implement. A large number are development organizations, but there are also NGOs concentrating on the environment, conservation, charity, relief, reconstruction and reconciliation. It is difficult to estimate with precision the number of NGOs in Vietnam. According to statistics reported in December 2006 by the United States International Grantmaking Council on Foundations, governmental reports and research, there are over 300 associations at the national level, 2,150 associations at the provincial level, 1,500 foundations and funds, and tens of thousands of NGOs at the grassroots levels. | + | Currently non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in Vietnam are as diverse as the programs and projects they implement. A large number are development organizations, but there are also NGOs concentrating on the environment, conservation, charity, relief, reconstruction and reconciliation. It is difficult to estimate with precision the number of NGOs in Vietnam. According to statistics reported in December 2006 by the United States International Grantmaking Council on Foundations, governmental reports and research, there are over 300 associations at the national level, 2,150 associations at the provincial level, 1,500 foundations and funds, and tens of thousands of NGOs at the grassroots levels. <membersonly> |
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
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==Laws== | ==Laws== | ||
According to a 2005 paper written for the Global Policy Forum, the legal framework for the third sector in Vietnam is constantly evolving to keep pace with the challenging role that the government has set for civil society. Individual decrees relating to different elements of civil society have been issued. These decrees/laws provide the basis for the establishment of civil organizations that operate relatively independent of the state. However, these ad hoc regulations do not add up to a comprehensive and clear legal framework for the formation and operation of NGOs. This is also an indication that the issue of “independent” civil society organizations remains political sensitive. | According to a 2005 paper written for the Global Policy Forum, the legal framework for the third sector in Vietnam is constantly evolving to keep pace with the challenging role that the government has set for civil society. Individual decrees relating to different elements of civil society have been issued. These decrees/laws provide the basis for the establishment of civil organizations that operate relatively independent of the state. However, these ad hoc regulations do not add up to a comprehensive and clear legal framework for the formation and operation of NGOs. This is also an indication that the issue of “independent” civil society organizations remains political sensitive. | ||
| − | Broadly, there are five important decree/laws currently in existence, which govern different elements of civil society organizations in Vietnam. The laws and decrees show clarity of purpose for cooperatives, community-based organizations (CBOs) and charities. The Grassroots Democracy Decree 79 (2003) institutionalizes the participation of local communities/CBOs/organizations of the poor in development activities at the level of the commune. This is seen as an important step in the development of civil society in Vietnam. The law on Cooperatives recognizes cooperatives as voluntary organizations functioning as independent economic entities. The law on Science and Technology recognizes professional associations as independent service organizations with the only option available to most development NGOs. The decree 177 recognizes charity and social funds. Lastly, the law on Associations is currently under revision by the NGO Department of the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is hoped that the law, which is in its 10th draft, will define the concept of NGOs along with their role, function and management arrangements. The only option currently available to development NGOs is to be registered under the law on science and technology. This requires them to justify and link their existence and operation to science and technology. | + | Broadly, there are five important decree/laws currently in existence, which govern different elements of civil society organizations in Vietnam. The laws and decrees show clarity of purpose for cooperatives, community-based organizations (CBOs) and charities. The Grassroots Democracy Decree 79 (2003) institutionalizes the participation of local communities/CBOs/organizations of the poor in development activities at the level of the commune. This is seen as an important step in the development of civil society in Vietnam. The law on Cooperatives recognizes cooperatives as voluntary organizations functioning as independent economic entities. The law on Science and Technology recognizes professional associations as independent service organizations with the only option available to most development NGOs. The decree 177 recognizes charity and social funds. Lastly, the law on Associations is currently under revision by the NGO Department of the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is hoped that the law, which is in its 10th draft, will define the concept of NGOs along with their role, function and management arrangements. The only option currently available to development NGOs is to be registered under the law on science and technology. This requires them to justify and link their existence and operation to science and technology.<ref>Civil Society in Vietnam: Moving from the Margins to the Mainstream by Gita Sabharwal and Than Thi Thien Huong, Global Policy Forum, July 2005.</ref> |
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| − | The Vietnam Environment and Sustainable Development Institute (VESDI) is an NGO institution belonging to the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment (VACNE), a national NGO of scientists, managers, technicians and other people devoted to environmental protection in Vietnam. VESDI was founded based on the Vietnam Environment and Sustainable Development Center (VNESDC), which was established earlier in 1995. The founders of VESDI believe that Vietnam is entering a period of intensive economic growth, characterized by rapid industrialization, modernization and urbanization. This development process will create the foundation for improved living standards and basis for further development of the country. Yet, it will also put great pressure on natural resources and the quality of living environment of all people in Vietnam, both in rural and urban areas. VESDI was created in response to this challenge. | + | ==Environment== |
| + | Since the late-1980s, Southeast Asia has been undergoing increasingly rapid economic change and progress. At the same time, there has been a sharp rise in natural resource degradation. It is now a growing concern among policy-makers, bureaucrats, academics and, not least, lay people. One of the important phenomena underscoring the rising environmental concerns and the changes in the socio-political landscapes of Mainland Southeast Asia is the emergence of locally based NGOs, many of which are increasingly devoted to conservation and natural resource management.<ref>NGOS and Natural Resource Management in Mainland Southeast Asia, Sunil Subhanrao Pednekar, Thailand Development Research Institute Foundation Quarterly Newsletter, vol. 10, No. 3, September 1995.</ref> | ||
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| + | The ''Vietnam Environment and Sustainable Development Institute'' (VESDI) is an NGO institution belonging to the ''Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment (VACNE)'', a national NGO of scientists, managers, technicians and other people devoted to environmental protection in Vietnam. VESDI was founded based on the ''Vietnam Environment and Sustainable Development Center (VNESDC)'', which was established earlier in 1995. The founders of VESDI believe that Vietnam is entering a period of intensive economic growth, characterized by rapid industrialization, modernization and urbanization. This development process will create the foundation for improved living standards and basis for further development of the country. Yet, it will also put great pressure on natural resources and the quality of living environment of all people in Vietnam, both in rural and urban areas. VESDI was created in response to this challenge. | ||
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| + | ''Environmental Development Action (ENDA) Vietnam'' is an NGO that focuses on the development field. The primary focus of ENDA's work is community development, poverty reduction, and environmental improvement in both urban and rural contexts. | ||
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Within this context, ENDA collaborates with poor and disadvantaged communities, specific target groups, and with ethnic minority communities. ENDA has a commitment to ongoing investigation and replication of more sustainable development at all levels. This is achieved through the implementation of diverse operational, training and networking programs with various stakeholders in the community. | Within this context, ENDA collaborates with poor and disadvantaged communities, specific target groups, and with ethnic minority communities. ENDA has a commitment to ongoing investigation and replication of more sustainable development at all levels. This is achieved through the implementation of diverse operational, training and networking programs with various stakeholders in the community. | ||
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| − | Health Sector | + | The ''United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF)'' has been active in Vietnam since 1978. Early programs concentrated on assisting the country with the development of its rural infrastructure. UNCDF assistance to Vietnam began with a small project to provide funds for machinery that the government needed to construct a dam. As its programs evolved toward supporting the institutions and organizations that make development possible, UNCDF began placing more emphasis on assisting the government with its efforts to develop improved participatory approaches to development planning, establish improved and transparent procedures for procuring public goods and transferring the responsibilities and resources for rural development to the lowest levels of public administration.<ref>UNCDF</ref> |
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| + | ==Health Sector== | ||
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INGOs in Vietnam are active in a wide array of health-related fields and at very different levels. According to VUFO’s NGO Directory, one hundred INGOs are involved in health in addition to 100 more NGOs that have health-related activities in community development programs. NGOs have increasingly become involved in promotion, education and research on different issues of public health. According to the Asia Pacific Philanthropic Consortium (APPC), the most active NGOs include the Centre for Reproductive and Family Health, the Centre of Public Health and Development, the Supporting Centre for HIV/AIDS/STDs Infected People, the Research and Training Centre for Community Development, and the Market and Development Research Centre. | INGOs in Vietnam are active in a wide array of health-related fields and at very different levels. According to VUFO’s NGO Directory, one hundred INGOs are involved in health in addition to 100 more NGOs that have health-related activities in community development programs. NGOs have increasingly become involved in promotion, education and research on different issues of public health. According to the Asia Pacific Philanthropic Consortium (APPC), the most active NGOs include the Centre for Reproductive and Family Health, the Centre of Public Health and Development, the Supporting Centre for HIV/AIDS/STDs Infected People, the Research and Training Centre for Community Development, and the Market and Development Research Centre. | ||
| − | Children have always held an important place in the culture and traditions of Vietnam, making up 41 percent of the country’s population. Vietnam was the first country in Asia and the second in the world to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). UNICEF has been in Vietnam since 1975; with most significant progress occurring after 1986 when the shift to a market economy loosened restrictions of INGOs. According to the organization, under five and infant mortality rates have decreased significantly, a high immunization coverage has been achieved as well as a high primary school enrolment rate and expanding access to safe drinking water. However, while these trends are encouraging, a number of factors place these achievements at risk: UNICEF statistics note that 29 percent of the population continues to live in poverty; around 95 percent of the poor live in rural areas and enormous disparities in poverty are observed across Vietnam’s 64 provinces and major urban areas. Malnutrition continues to affect around a third of children under the age of five; there is limited sanitation and knowledge of hygiene in rural areas. Natural disasters are a continuing threat in many regions and preventable injuries are estimated to be the number one killer of children between the ages of one and sixteen. | + | Children have always held an important place in the culture and traditions of Vietnam, making up 41 percent of the country’s population. Vietnam was the first country in Asia and the second in the world to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).<ref>UNICEF</ref> UNICEF has been in Vietnam since 1975; with most significant progress occurring after 1986 when the shift to a market economy loosened restrictions of INGOs. According to the organization, under five and infant mortality rates have decreased significantly, a high immunization coverage has been achieved as well as a high primary school enrolment rate and expanding access to safe drinking water. However, while these trends are encouraging, a number of factors place these achievements at risk: UNICEF statistics note that 29 percent of the population continues to live in poverty; around 95 percent of the poor live in rural areas and enormous disparities in poverty are observed across Vietnam’s 64 provinces and major urban areas. Malnutrition continues to affect around a third of children under the age of five; there is limited sanitation and knowledge of hygiene in rural areas. Natural disasters are a continuing threat in many regions and preventable injuries are estimated to be the number one killer of children between the ages of one and sixteen. |
Almost 30,000 children die from injury each year in Vietnam. HIV/AIDS is a growing problem in Vietnam and is accompanied by widespread stigma and discrimination. It is estimated that around 300,000 children in Vietnam are affected by this epidemic. This includes children with HIV positive parents and those orphaned by AIDS. | Almost 30,000 children die from injury each year in Vietnam. HIV/AIDS is a growing problem in Vietnam and is accompanied by widespread stigma and discrimination. It is estimated that around 300,000 children in Vietnam are affected by this epidemic. This includes children with HIV positive parents and those orphaned by AIDS. | ||
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In Vietnam, UNAIDS works to support the response of the government to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. UNAIDS helps to coordinate HIV/AIDS-related activities undertaken by the UN system and other international agencies, including bilateral donor agencies, international NGOs and others. Among those are: CARE, CRS, Family Health Intl. (FHI), Medecins du Monde (Canada & France), Save the Children (U.K. & U.S.), World Population Fund (WPF), and World Vision. | In Vietnam, UNAIDS works to support the response of the government to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. UNAIDS helps to coordinate HIV/AIDS-related activities undertaken by the UN system and other international agencies, including bilateral donor agencies, international NGOs and others. Among those are: CARE, CRS, Family Health Intl. (FHI), Medecins du Monde (Canada & France), Save the Children (U.K. & U.S.), World Population Fund (WPF), and World Vision. | ||
| − | Human Rights | + | ==Human Rights== |
According to a 2005 report by The U.S. Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, violence and discrimination against women and children remain significant issues in Vietnam. Child prostitution, trafficking in women and children for the purpose of forced prostitution within the country and abroad and trafficking of women to China and Taiwan for forced marriages are still widely reported. Discrimination against some ethnic minorities continues to be a problem. | According to a 2005 report by The U.S. Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, violence and discrimination against women and children remain significant issues in Vietnam. Child prostitution, trafficking in women and children for the purpose of forced prostitution within the country and abroad and trafficking of women to China and Taiwan for forced marriages are still widely reported. Discrimination against some ethnic minorities continues to be a problem. | ||
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As Vietnam continues its integration into the world economy, the INGO community is in a better position to influence and liberalize aspects of social life and civil society in the country. | As Vietnam continues its integration into the world economy, the INGO community is in a better position to influence and liberalize aspects of social life and civil society in the country. | ||
| − | Trends and the Future | + | |
| − | The broad-based political organization of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) combined with the tradition of a one party state traditionally allowed for little space for growth of an independent civil society. The political discourse of the CPV was not supportive of organizational expression of collective identity and interest outside the framework of the Party. However, since doi moi the political and economic context in Vietnam is rapidly changing, characterized by a growing market economy and increased global integration. This has led to the emergence of social groupings outside the Party. It appears that since the mid-1990s the institutional environment appears to be shifting from a total state domination of development activity to an acceptance of the contribution of other development actors, that in general, Vietnam can be described as characterized by a low but increasing tolerance of autonomous civil activity. | + | ==Trends and the Future== |
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| + | The broad-based political organization of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) combined with the tradition of a one party state traditionally allowed for little space for growth of an independent civil society. The political discourse of the CPV was not supportive of organizational expression of collective identity and interest outside the framework of the Party. However, since doi moi the political and economic context in Vietnam is rapidly changing, characterized by a growing market economy and increased global integration. This has led to the emergence of social groupings outside the Party. It appears that since the mid-1990s the institutional environment appears to be shifting from a total state domination of development activity to an acceptance of the contribution of other development actors, that in general, Vietnam can be described as characterized by a low but increasing tolerance of autonomous civil activity.<ref>Civil Society in Vietnam: Moving from the Margins to the Mainstream by Gita Sabharwal and Than Thi Thien Huong, Global Policy Forum, July 2005.</ref> | ||
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According to the Global Policy Forum’s 2005 report, there are two broad trends: Growth of development NGOs and a mushrooming of associations – voluntary, non-profit, nongovernmental, community-based, grassroots and cooperative. | According to the Global Policy Forum’s 2005 report, there are two broad trends: Growth of development NGOs and a mushrooming of associations – voluntary, non-profit, nongovernmental, community-based, grassroots and cooperative. | ||
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The current relationship between government and civil society in terms of CBOs and NGOs appears to be shifting from a total state domination of development activity to an acceptance of the contribution that other players may bring. The Socio-Economic Development Strategy (2000-2010) and the draft Socio-Economic Development Plan (2006-2010) reflect this changing context and suggest that civil society organizations may have a more mainstream role to play in the development of the Vietnam. | The current relationship between government and civil society in terms of CBOs and NGOs appears to be shifting from a total state domination of development activity to an acceptance of the contribution that other players may bring. The Socio-Economic Development Strategy (2000-2010) and the draft Socio-Economic Development Plan (2006-2010) reflect this changing context and suggest that civil society organizations may have a more mainstream role to play in the development of the Vietnam. | ||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
Latest revision as of 08:16, 17 July 2008
This article is based on an article written for the NGO Handbook by Kate Perchuk titled "Vietnam and the Third Sector."
Currently non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in Vietnam are as diverse as the programs and projects they implement. A large number are development organizations, but there are also NGOs concentrating on the environment, conservation, charity, relief, reconstruction and reconciliation. It is difficult to estimate with precision the number of NGOs in Vietnam. According to statistics reported in December 2006 by the United States International Grantmaking Council on Foundations, governmental reports and research, there are over 300 associations at the national level, 2,150 associations at the provincial level, 1,500 foundations and funds, and tens of thousands of NGOs at the grassroots levels.
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