Main projects
In the fields of training and the dissemination of knowledge, science research and development, social consulting, critique and evaluation, community development, hunger eradication and poverty alleviation
Objectives
. Strengthen institutional capacity: a more transparent and less complex legal and institutional framework, study experience from the voluntary sector and the general public and international stakeholders to the non-governmental sector, public relations, mark...
Main projects
In the fields of training and the dissemination of knowledge, science research and development, social consulting, critique and evaluation, community development, hunger eradication and poverty alleviation
Objectives
. Strengthen institutional capacity: a more transparent and less complex legal and institutional framework, study experience from the voluntary sector and the general public and international stakeholders to the non-governmental sector, public relations, marketing and corporate strategy.
. Develop the capacity and the organization/NGOs.
. VUSTA should evolve into an enabling rather than governing umbrella organization to support to members.
Perspectives
Coming law on associatons gives a more clear legal framework :
• Coming law on associations gives a more clear legal framework
• VUSTA seen as a true independent organisation
• VUSTA better known in Vietnam through more focussed PR
• Vietnamese Government wanting more dialogue both with VUSTA and NGOs
• Possibilities for associations to deliver service
• Active local unions in all 64 provinces
• Creation of VUSTA data bases of scientists
• Public Administrative Reform opens new possibilities
• A more transparent and democratic organisation
• Modern Information Technology
• New Information System connecting all parts of the organisation
• Stronger financial resources
• Young enthusiastic and well educated Vietnamese scientists wanting to work for NGOs to develop community based organisations
• Contract employment gives opportunities for young people to work for VUSTA
• Stronger cooperation with foreign donors and organisations
• Creation of a VUSTA NGO resource centre
• Successful UNDP-VUSTA 3 year project
- The Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA) is the umbrella organisation for the Vietnamese intelligentsia and 450 NGOs and 48 local VUSTAs, which helps Vietnam in poverty alleviation, health care, community development, and monitoring and evaluation of development projects.
Within the broadly defined area of science and technology VUSTA is designated by the Government to: unite and coordinate operations of its individual and organisational members and promote cooperation with national and international institutions and organisations; promote socialisation and dissemination of science and technology activities and a favourable environment for research and training; and publicize the results of science and technology research.
According to the Prime Ministers Decision No.22/TTg from 2002 regarding consultancy, assessment and social evaluation, VUSTA is also designated to assist the Government of Vietnam in development, implementation and assessment of government policies and programmes. On one hand, this provides an opportunity for VUSTA to promote the participation of its member organisations in policy research and dialogue with the Government. On the other hand, it poses a challenge to VUSTA to facilitate and support its members’ participation in and contributions to this process.
In 1983, the year before VUSTA was formed; a provincial union of associations was formed in Hanoi after an initiative taken by Prof. Tran Dai Nghia, who became the first president of VUSTA and later honorary chairman. The idea of provincial unions was developed after the example of other mass organisations within the Vietnam Fatherland Front being organized both at national and local levels.
Local Unions of VUSTA, sometimes referred to as USTAS or PUSTAS, consisting of provincial branches of professional associations in various disciplines, were formed by a decision of the Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee with agreement from Central VUSTA. Such a local union of VUSTA has its name after the province like HUSTA (Ha Tinh Union of Science and Technology) LUSTA (Lao Cai Union of Science and Technology, NUSTA (Nge An Union of Science and Technology.
The Local unions of VUSTA serve as a connection between Central VUSTA and local branches of Discipline Associations, and have the task of coordinating local intellectuals from different sciences at the provincial level and inspiring them to perform multidisciplinary activities and enable networking.
Since the formation of VUSTA in 1983, Local Unions have been formed in many provinces and cities, beginning in 1985 (10 years after unification of Vietnam) in Kien Giang province in the south and Nghe An province, where Ho Chi Minh was born, in the north. The growth of local unions has been rapid during the 1990s and after the millennium. There are currently 48 Local Unions in cities and provinces and the target of VUSTA is to have a Local union of VUSTA in all 64 cities and provinces, if possible before the year 2008. At the moment decisions of 6 provinces are pending.
The local VUSTA unions, consisting of branches of discipline associations have a provincial congress, an elected council, a president and vice presidents, one of which is Secretary General (For VUSTA´s national organ see below 2.3).
Currently, the number of NGOs belonging to VUSTA is 450.
• Good networks of scientists from all over Vietnam
• Continuous growth since inception in 1983
• Basic organisation model combines disciplinary member associations and local unions in provinces
• Connecting point between NGOs (both national and foreign) and Vietnamese society
• Bridge between member associations, government and donors
• Access to knowledgeable scientists in many different scientific areas all over Vietnam
• Ability to mobilize 5- 800 000 Vietnamese scientists who can contribute to Vietnamese social-political development
• Many contributions to training of professionals
• Knowledge dissemination in many areas and in many ways (publications, workshops, training, TV)
• A certain reputation in Vietnam, both through different types of publications, awards and scholarships and by a growing open dialogue with Government in tricky matters
• Growing influence on Vietnamese Government both regarding research policies and socio- economic development
• Increasing relations with foreign scientific organisations, especially within engineering
• Arranging national and international conferences, workshops in many different areas (such as law on associations, East-West Conference)
• Openness to new ideas
• Growing knowledge of English within VUSTA enables global contacts
• VUSTA offers NGO s registration which gives protection and support
- Receiving the concern of the Viet Nam Communist Party, State
- The need of society in VUSTA’s activities field is increasing.
- Potential of intellectual
- More and more member associations are dynamic and work effective.
- Flexible working mechanism.
- Inter disciplinary activities: easy to assemble.
Continuously organizing annual meetings between NGOs and donors to exchange experiences, to increase the quality of the projects for hunger eradication, poverty alleviation and community development;
Studying and running a NGO model of international quality: transparency and efficiency.
- Lack of information on:
- Donors
- Programmes, projects at local levels
- Ineffective information sharing among organizations.
- NGOs at local level are still not dynamic.
- Lack of experts
- Funding procedure is still slow.
- Most of state organizations do not really create enabling environment for NGO’s activities.
- Insufficient staffs: incompetent in English skills, weak ability in brainstorming, project proposal writing and management.
- Donors’ approaches are different from that of Viet Nam, thus posed difficulties for VNGOs in accessing and working in line with international donors.
Missions of the NGO national platform
1. Consolidating, developing the organisation and boosting activities of central and provincial / city’s associations.
2. Contributing to the socialization of activities in science and technology, education and training, people’s health care, community development, famine eradication and poverty alleviation.
- Diffusing scientific and technological knowledge, organizing and guiding mass movement in the march towards science and technology front.
- Organising activities in consultancy, assessment and social evaluations in view of contributing to build up scientific basis for making decisions on directives, policies, laws, programmes, plans of the government regarding the development of socio-economic, science and technology, education and training, environment protection, security and national defence; participating in independent evaluations of important projects.
- Science researching, technology developing, transferring scientific and technological progresses to production and life, and environment protection.
- Promoting various types of schools, classes, other forms of education and training, contributing to the formation of a learning society in order to improve people’s knowledge, to develop human resources, to foster talented peoples.
- Participating in community development, famine eradication and poverty alleviation, people’s health care.
3. Promoting the mobilization/motivation of scientific and technological intellectuals:
- Stimulating patriotic traditions, national pride, citizens’ responsibilities, co-operation spirit, community character, loyalty, honesty and professional ethics
- Propagating, widely diffusing directives, policies and laws of the state regarding the contingent of intellectuals, scientists and technologists.
- Mobilising scientists and technologists from overseas Vietnamese to contribute knowledge and efforts to the cause of building and defending the Fatherland.
- Protecting legitimate rights and interests of intellectuals in scientific and technological activities; creating conditions for raising professional level, improving spiritual, material life of people engaged in science and technology.
4. Playing the role of a Vietnam Fatherland Front member:
- Collaborating with other member organizations in deploying common activities to promote the combined strength, contributing to the building of the whole nation’s solidarity bloc.
- Reflecting the expectation and contributed ideas of intellectual, scientific and technological contingent to the State and the Fatherland Front.
- Participating in the struggle for peace protection, fight against war, for the friendship, mutual understanding and co-operation among nations.
5. Strengthening the co-operation with other countries’ associations, NGOs, joining regional and international scientific and technological organizations.
Yes
Contributing to the socialization of activities in science and technology, education and training, people’s health care, community development, famine eradication and poverty alleviation
VUSTA delegation took part in CAFEO 24 where 40 Viet Nam engineers who met the Asean Engineer qualifications and criteria and were awarded the title.
- ICCO training courses for VUSTA on lobby and advocacy capacity. The training program was grassroot focused.
- UNDP proposed VUSTA as participant at the General Consultation Meeting December, 2006.
Functioning and governing of the NGO national platform
As stated before, civil society organisations such as associations, grassroots organisations, NGO’s, socio-professional organisations and community based organisations have increasingly been formed in the country under the framework of regulations and laws that show the commitment of Vietnam to improve the conditions for the third sector to function.
The most important ones are described as follows:
• Decree 35/CP in 1992 included some measures to encourage Scientific and Technological Activities, allowing individuals to establish their own science and technology organisations.
• Decision No. 340/TTg in 1996 of the Prime Minister provided the regulations of the operation of international NGOs in Vietnam
• Decree 177/CP in 1999 where the Prime Minister promulgated new legislation on social and charitable funds and charity funds.
• Law on Science and Technology by National Assembly 2000 containing rights and obligations of Scientific and Technological organisations and individuals.
• Decree 79 on Grassroots Democracy in 2003 (dan chu co so), created the legal framework to expand direct citizen participation in local development, exercise their rights to be informed of government activities, contribute to policy formulation and to supervise government performance.
• Under the mandate of the Decree 81 of 2002 and the Circular 10 of 2005, VUSTA started the setting up what is now called Units 81. This represented a turning point, as before the new mandate, these sorts of organisations had to be created and financed directly by the government. Out of around 1300 units currently operating in the country, 1/3 work under VUSTA.
• Decree 88 on associations in 2003 that provides the guidelines for organisation, operation and management of Vietnamese associations.
• Current discussions around the 11th Draft of the Law on Associations as an important step towards creating a legal framework that enables growth and operation of civil society organizations in the country.
For execution, implementation and coordination of VUSTA’s activities, the union has a Head Office (HO) with about 50 employees in functional departments, and also a second office in HCMC with 5 employees.
The President and the five vice presidents, all with backgrounds in different Central Associations, have offices in the HO.
At the head Office there are also two different types of units; functional departments and independent units.
The staff of the independent units is not included in the given figure of 50 employees, but independent units as well as functional departments are under VUSTA leadership.
The present distribution of responsibilities for the current presidents is as follows:
President Prof. Vu Tuyen Hoang, from Association of Agriculture, has overall responsibility for finance and the Department for Organisation and Personnel (this used to be a responsibility of the Secretary General). Prof. Hoang is also a member of the National Legislative Assembly of Vietnam.
The five Vice Presidents have different responsibilities:
• Prof. Nguyen Huu Tang is the head of the Inspection Committee and responsible for contacts with mass media and contacts with NGOs. Prof Nguyen Huu Tang used to be the chairman of the Science Education Committee of the Party
• Prof. Pham Manh Hung from the Medicine/Pharmacy Association and former Vice Minister of health is responsible for contacts with Member Associations. Prof Hung is also Vice Chairman of the Science Education Committee of the Party.
• Prof. Tran Ngoc Hien, professor at Ho Chi Minh Political Academy is responsible for theories of political economy.
• Mr Pham Quoc Anh, at present also president of The Lawyers Association, is responsible for legal matters.
• Associated Prof. Ho Uy Liem, is, as Vice President and Secretary General, responsible for daily work at the Head Office. The secretary general has two vice secretary generals.
The six functional departments are:
Administration Office
Department of Organisation and Personnel Department of Training and Knowledge Dissemination Department of Information Department of Science, Technology and Economy Department of International Relations
Regardless of the fact that all departments coordinate activities assigned by the leadership, each of them has their own specific responsibilities:
The Administration Office is in charge of the day to day activities of VUSTA in relation to planning, finances and infrastructure, but the department also organizes conferences and seminars and coordinates activities of Local Unions of VUSTA.
Department of Organisation and Personnel is in charge of staffing in the Head Office, gives advice on staffing issues and recruitment, and gives support to member associations in personnel affairs, organisational development and training. The department also gives advice to Units 81 both for establishment and development. Through Units 81 the Department of Organisation and Personnel has contacts with international organisations. With a growing number of units 81, the department has increasing tasks.
Department of Training and Knowledge Dissemination is in charge of some of the core activities of the union: publications, national scientific contests, international Scientific Olympics for students in science, scholarships and capacity building efforts for increasing public awareness and understanding of science and technology matters as well as supporting the development of talented people.
Department of Information is in charge of the internal and external exchange of information regarding VUSTA’s activities and achievements. Since 2001 they publish monthly newsletters sent to all member organisations and manage a Local Area Network as well as a Wide Area Network (web page) both intended to increase awareness of VUSTA’s work among its staff, member associations, affiliated organisations and the general public.
Department of Science, Technology and Economics manages VUSTA issues regarding science, technology and economics (including taking some responsibility for part of the Government budget for R&D). The department also supports Units 81 re legal framework.
Department of International Relations manages VUSTA´s international relations and organizes international conferences and workshops. The department also supports member associations and affiliated units in administrative activities related to international relations. The department coordinates and appraises development projects, and coordinates activities related to overseas Vietnamese intellectuals.
The Administration Office and the department of Personnel and Organisation are responsible both for activities within National Organs and within HO.
Plans for the coming 5 year term are presented to the National Congress of Representatives.
Each year the Department of Information tries to evaluate the events of last year by making the leadership list the 10 successes. Such a list of 10 successes for 2006 was published on the Vietnamese web paged of VUSTA in January 2007 and contains both activities by and for VUSTA as well as by Central Discipline Associations like East West conference organized by VUSTA, or VUSTA Web site or Prime Minister approving VUSTA Charter, VUSTA giving feedback to documents of 10th Communist Party Congress, contribution to the draft of Law on Associations, made by Association of Lawyers, or the second issue “black list” – Federation of Civil Engineering publishing a list of corrupted companies and projects.
VUSTA has also made a general evaluation of Units 81.
There are no job descriptions in HO, but the leadership has just asked the Department of Organisation and Personnel to develop such job descriptions for its own department.
During our contacts with the HO we have met an open, friendly atmosphere, and very service minded employees; many of whom can speak English. The leaders and managers in the HO are all male, with employees responsible for daily work often being females. Gender development issues need to be introduced.
Internal rules and ethics
Does your NPF have internal rules?
oui
Does your NPF have code of ethics or other similar documents?
Vusta has its own Regulation approved by the Prime Minister on 24 April 2006.
Have you changed the code of ethics or internal rules in the last 5 years?
Respecting and abiding by Regulations of the central Union, implementing resolutions of the Union Central Council. Constantly contributing to the enlargement of influence and the improvement of position of the Central Union. Strengthening solidarity in the Central Union, mutually supporting and collaborating in all activities.
Do you have international institutions as members (associations, NGO movements)?
non
All member associations/NGOs.
Governing of the ngo platform
Regarding the formal governance structure indicated in the charter, VUSTA as an umbrella organisation has four important national organs:
• National Congress
• Central Council
• Presidium
• Inspection Committee
National organs of VUSTA
.
a) National Congress of Representatives:
The National Congress of Representatives is the supreme organ of VUSTA and is held every five years usually at the end of the term. VUSTA has held 5 National Congresses so far (1983, 1988, 1993, 1999 and 2004), and the next National Congress will be held in 2009.
The aim of the National Congress is to approve activity reports, decide on priorities for VUSTA’s activities and to elect the Central Council for the coming term. At the latest National Congress in December 2004, a new charter was approved.
b) The Central Council
The Central Council is in charge of steering the activities of VUSTA and organizing the implementation of the resolutions of the Congress. The Council holds a regular national meeting once a year and occasional meetings when the Presidium or at least half the members of the Central Council request.
The council is elected by the Congress and its members comprise:
• 2 representatives from each Member Association
• 2 representatives from each Local VUSTA union
• A number of individual scientists introduced by the preceding Presidium of the Central Council and agreed upon by the Congress. These candidates can not exceed 15 % of the total number of the Central Council’s members.
• Members of the Presidium
• There are also directors of units 81 who attend Central Council meetings.
As VUSTA grows the Central Council does as well, consisting presently of about 250 people.
Both the Central Discipline Associations and Local Unions are represented in the National Congress as well as in the Central Council.
Links between member associations and national organs of VUSTA
c) The Presidium
For the management of VUSTA activities, the Central Council elects a Presidium that holds 4 meetings per year. The Presidium of the Central Council in the current term comprises 30 members: 1 President, 5 Vice Presidents, one of which has the role of Secretary General, and another 24 members elected by the Congress.
The President and the five Vice Presidents are responsible for running VUSTA in between the meetings of the Presidium. The charter talks about collective leadership, but the vice presidents also have their specific responsibilities. (See below 2.5)
d) Inspection Committee
The Central Council elects an Inspection Committee. According to the charter the main tasks of the Inspection Committee are:
• Monitor and control the application of the Charter of VUSTA
• Guide and support inspection committees of the Member Associations
• Deal with complaints, grievances and objections.
One of the Vice Presidents is chairperson of the Inspection Committee and the head of the department of Organisation and Personnel is a standing member of the inspection committee.
The Inspection Committee meets 4 times a year for specific assignments and holds an annual conference regarding inspection.
The Central Council is in charge of steering the activities of VUSTA and organizing the implementation of the resolutions of the Congress. The Council holds a regular national meeting once a year and occasional meetings when the Presidium or at least half the members of the Central Council request.
The council is elected by the Congress and its members comprise:
• 2 representatives from each Member Association
• 2 representatives from each Local VUSTA union
• A number of individual scientists introduced by the preceding Presidium of the Central Council and agreed upon by the Congress. These candidates can not exceed 15 % of the total number of the Central Council’s members.
• Members of the Presidium
• There are also directors of units 81 who attend Central Council meetings.
As VUSTA grows the Central Council does as well, consisting presently of about 250 people.
Both the Central Discipline Associations and Local Unions are represented in the National Congress as well as in the Central Council.
2004 :
2005 : 400 NGOs and 37 local VUSTAs
2006 : 510 units and 153 magazins and newspaper (including 62 central associations, 48 local associations, over 450 NGOs.
Do you have work groups or thematic commissions?
oui
Training and the dissemination of Knowledge
Continuing the activities of the Viet Nam Science and Technology Dissemination Association (1969-1971), VUSTA always considers training and the broad dissemination of science and technology information to the people as a fundamental “Rural Economy”, “Universal Science”, “Life and Law”, and magazines such as “Science and the Fatherland”, “Ancient Time and Nowadays”, “The World in Yourself”, along with 145 other magazines, specialized publications, newsletters of member associations and science and technology units affiliated to VUSTA, account for about a third of the total number of scientific journals nationwide. Hundreds of published books have provided information, reflecting the status and results of activities in most fields of science and technology, to meet the diverse needs of professionals as well as a broader readership. The dissemination of knowledge has also expanded through the contents and programmes of the regular activities of a vast network, comprising of over 40 clubs involving more than 11.000 members.
Science and Research and Development
Activities for scientific research and technology development is one important task of VUSTA for grouping and mobilizing the diverse, inter-sector, multidisciplinary potential of the Vietnamese scientific and technological intelligentsia. Many activities and projects of the different levels of VUSTA have been implemented through the state budget. Many of the research and development contracts of member associations and affiliated science and technology units have been signed with various local authorities and production units.
Social consulting, critique and evaluation
Social consulting, critique and evaluation is an important activity of VUSTA, first mentioned in Instruction no 35-CT/TW dated April 11th 1988 by the Central Secretariat. VUSTA’s consulting activities were further confirmed when the Government officially assigned VUSTA with tasks in Decision No 22/2002/QD-TTg dated January 30th 2002 by the Prime Minister. In the Statutes of VUSTA and many member associations, consulting activities are identified as an important and key task.
Community Development, Hunger Eradication, and Poverty Alleviation.
Hunger Eradication, and Poverty Alleviation is an important directive and is one of the basic priority social policies of the State. Many national programmes and projects for socio-economic development in remote, mountainous, particularly disadvantaged regions with a high number of ethnic minority people have been implemented or are on going. For nearly 10 years, VUSTA, member associations, especially units 81 affiliated to VUSTA, have participated in these activities, tackling the challenges using diverse modes, resulting in some significant achievements.
Do you assess the expectations or needs of your members?
oui
Among the task of the Union, VUSTA has tasks of consolidating, developing the organisation and boosting activities of central and provincial / city’s associations as well as hearing their needs.
Relation with sponsors
Does your government provide reinforcement policies for NGOs?
oui
As stated before, civil society organisations such as associations, grassroots organisations, NGO’s, socio-professional organisations and community based organisations have increasingly been formed in the country under the framework of regulations and laws that show the commitment of Vietnam to improve the conditions for the third sector to function.
The most important ones are described as follows:
•Decree 35/CP in 1992 included some measures to encourage Scientific and Technological Activities, allowing individuals to establish their own science and technology organisations.
•Decision No. 340/TTg in 1996 of the Prime Minister provided the regulations of the operation of international NGOs in Vietnam
•Decree 177/CP in 1999 where the Prime Minister promulgated new legislation on social and charitable funds and charity funds.
•Law on Science and Technology by National Assembly 2000 containing rights and obligations of Scientific and Technological organisations and individuals.
•Decree 79 on Grassroots Democracy in 2003 (dan chu co so), created the legal framework to expand direct citizen participation in local development, exercise their rights to be informed of government activities, contribute to policy formulation and to supervise government performance.
•Under the mandate of the Decree 81 of 2002 and the Circular 10 of 2005, VUSTA started the setting up what is now called Units 81 . This represented a turning point, as before the new mandate, these sorts of organisations had to be created and financed directly by the government. Out of around 1300 units currently operating in the country, 1/3 work under VUSTA.
•Decree 88 on associations in 2003 that provides the guidelines for organisation, operation and management of Vietnamese associations.
•Current discussions around the 11th Draft of the Law on Associations as an important step towards creating a legal framework that enables growth and operation of civil society organizations in the country.
Is there a specific financial system to reinforce the NGOs in your country (example: funds, special donations)? - If yes, what kind of capabilities do they support? What are the strengths and weaknesses of these funds? - Else, how does the NGO fund its capability-reinforcement program (staff training, research, strategic plans, organizational diagnosis…)?
+ Diversifying partners: UNDP, WB, OXFAM, CARE, SNV, FORD, ICCO
+ Information sharing: provided information of over 500 NGO organizations in Viet Nam and had been a bridge in direct exchange between INGOs and VNGOs
+ Close cooperation with UNDP and ICCO
+ Broaden relationship with US’s organization
- VUSTA has been implementing a considerable amount of development projects in the field of hunger eradication and poverty alleviation in Viet Nam, getting the cooperation of such big international donors as AM (German), ICCO (Netherlands), Ford Foundation (USA), OXFAM, CARE International, UNAIDS, UNDP, WORLD BANK. The projects have been mainly carried out in poor, remote and mountainous areas of Viet Nam;
* Taking part in the following projects:
- Initial health care: funded by Allianz Mission – German
- Strengthen VUSTA’s capacity in poverty alleviation and community development: funded by ICCO
- Poor children: funded by English infant fund.
- Building documentary film with French partner: performed by Historical Association.
- VIE/00/2004 project – Building display model of straight-type constant brick-kiln
- Technology of potato gender.
- The total sponsor fund is about 120 billions VND in the past 10 years, about 8 millions USD, < 1 millions USD/a year (count for 1% of the total Non-government aid). Recently, aid is up to 3 millions USD/ a year.
- VUSTA has the following limit:
+ Lack of information: most of information of sponsor and their characteristic is unknown, particularly the local units.
+ Limited knowledge of foreign language.
+ Lack of understanding of sponsor’s need and request.
+ Mechanism on aid’s approval and management is still insufficient : waste time and bothered, particular big projects.
+ NGOs depend on international sponsors extensively: Government will doubt of NGOs’ pure.
+ Many sponsors consider that NGOs are still weak.
+ Some sponsors still want to aid for State organizations rather than NGOs.
Relation with other associations, ngos
Do you work with international NGOs, international networks, and national NGO platforms from countries other than yours?
oui
Yes.
- Since established in 1983, Vusta has continuously been expanding bilateral and multilateral co-operation with international organizations and countries for the adevancement of science and technology development of the nation.
•Took the initiative to invite two UNDP’s specialists to help giving comments and consultation on Law on Association and facilitating one national conference on Association Law in May 2006
•ICCO training courses for VUSTA on lobby and advocacy capacity. The training program was grassroots focused.
•UNDP proposed VUSTA as participant at the General Consultation Meeting December, 2006.
- Vusta has successfully organized the international and regional conferences, one of which was “Partnership among NGOs and donors for poverty alleviation in Vietnam” held in March 29th, 2005 involving the participation of over 40 international organizations. The conference confirmed a vital role of scientific organizations in achieving the goal of hunger eradication, poverty alleviation and community development. Member associations and affiliated units have cooperative relationships with hundreds of international organizations in many d
Are there other NPFs or national NGO networks in your country?
oui
Yes.
VUSTA is one of the biggest NPF in Viet Nam (count for 1/3 of the total NGOs in Viet Nam)
There are some other NPFs and the cooperation as follows:
- AAPS: Oxfam and VUSTA in the field of Hunger Eradication and Poverty Alleviation
- INGO Resource Centre
…..
Do you work with these NPFs and/or national NGO networks?
L’article 69 de la Constitution vietnamienne du 15 avril 1992 reconnaît « le droit de former des associations ».
Un décret de 1957 régit les associations. Texte bref et simple, il a été conçu afin de donner une base légale à des institutions qui sont des instruments de la Révolution. De même, le code civil de 1996 prévoit-il des dispositions relatives aux organisations sociales et socioprofessionnelles et aux fondations.Ces dernières sont également assujetties à un Décret n°177 de 1999.
Une concertation a été lancée depuis 1992 entre la communauté des bailleurs, en particulier l’Union européenne dans le cadre du suivi et de l’appui aux réformes vietnamiennes, et la Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations, organisation de masse, pour préparer un projet de loi sur les associations. Les autorités restent toutefois indécises quant aux orientations définitives de ce projet de loi, qui en est à sa onzième version. Celle-ci donnerait à l’administration un pouvoir discrétionnaire considérable en matière d’autorisation ou d’interdiction des associations.
2 - Droit des associations
Organisations de masse
Il s’agit d’associations para-gouvernementales dont le rôle est d’assurer l’intégration de la politique du parti au niveau local. Leur action est orientée par le « Front de la Patrie du Vietnam » (VFF), lequel « constitue une partie du système politique de la République socialiste du Vietnam, menée par le Parti Communiste du Vietnam » (art.1er de la loi sur le Front de la Patrie du Vietnamdu 12 juin 1999).
Organisations sociales et socioprofessionnelles
Il s’agit d’associations sociales, professionnelles ou économiques dont la plupart est membre du Front de la Patrie du Vietnam. Elles sont gérées par le « Comité gouvernemental pour les organisations et son personnel ». Elles sont généralement regroupées au sein d’union d’associations (le Vietnam Union of Sciences and Technology Associations constitue un exemple connu).
Dans tous les cas, la création des associations est un acte de la puissance publique.
3 – Autres formes juridiques
Fondations à but social ou caritatif
Selon le décret 177 de 1999, les fondations à but social ou caritatif sont des formes d’association qui ne peuvent opérer que dans les domaines « culturel, scientifique, sportif et du développement social ». Elles sont formées par au moins trois membres fondateurs et doivent disposer d’une autorisation, délivrée par le président du Comité populaire provincial (autorité communiste locale), pour exercer.
4 - Fiscalité
Selon la loi « Front de la Patrie du Vietnam» de 1999, les organisations de masse ne sont soumises à aucune imposition. Les organisations sociales et socioprofessionnelles ne bénéficient en revanche d’aucune exonération, sauf pour ce qui concerne la TVA applicable aux donations ainsi qu’à certains biens et services qu’elles fournissent.
5 – Reconnaissance d’utilité publique
Toutes les organisations parapubliques sont reconnues d’utilité publique et peuvent être chargées d’une mission de service public.
6 - Associations de droit étranger
Un décret de 1996 portant statut des associations étrangères prévoit une procédure de reconnaissance juridique par agrément, dont la gestion est confiée à un organisme centralisé, le People’s Aid Co-Ordinating Committee (PACCOM). Les associations étrangères peuvent, comme toute entreprise étrangère, ouvrir des bureaux de représentation. Elles doivent fournir annuellement des rapports d’activités.
7 - Relations Etat/monde associatif
Le mouvement associatif vietnamien est un mouvement embryonnaire et complexe. Les organisations de masse ont été créées pour relayer le gouvernement dans des activités qui relèvent souvent de la mission de service public. Elles sont fortement encadrées par les pouvoirs publics qui y voient une manière d’apporter des réponses à des problèmes qu’ils n’ont pas la capacité de traiter directement.
Il n’y a pas au Vietnam d’organisations de défense des droits de l’Homme à proprement parler. Les autorités vietnamiennes exercent un contrôle très strict sur les associations et, si elles permettent leur intervention dans le champ des droits économiques et sociaux, elles l’interdisent dans celui des droits et libertés individuelles.
8 - Caractéristiques principales de la vie associative
Selon un Rapport présenté par le Département des organisations non gouvernementales du Ministère des Affaires Intérieures (MOHA), il existait au Vietnam, en juin 2005, 320 associations nationales, 2 150 associations locales et des dizaines de milliers de petites associations notamment rurales.
Le statut juridique des associations, élaboré en 1957, est généralement jugé inadapté à l’évolution économique et sociale du pays.
français :Cadre légal*
Vietnam