Government of Vietnam Expresses Commitment to a Stronger Relationship with Civil Society

The lack of an enabling environment, the weak capacity and self-identity of Vietnamese civil society are the major challenges still to be overcome in order to promote its effective contribution to the socio-economic development of Vietnam. Participants delivered this key message during the 'Capacity Building and Strengthening the Participation of Non-Governmental Organisations for the Socio-economic Development of Vietnam' workshop, held in Hanoi on 9th November 2006. The Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Association (VUSTA) organized the workshop with the support of UNDP, SNV Netherlands Development Organisation and the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Hanoi.

An unprecedented forum of 150 representatives from the Vietnamese Government, donor community, international NGOs and Vietnamese NGOs discussed their respective roles in building the capacity and strengthening the participation of Vietnamese NGOs. Inaugurated by the Vice Minister of Home Affairs Dr. Thang Van Phuc and welcomed by the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Mr. Subinay Nandy and SNV Vietnam Country Director Mr. Pieter de Baan, the workshop was hailed as the point of departure for a more dynamic and open relationship between the Vietnamese government and Vietnamese NGOs.

The forum also gave Vietnamese NGOs, important members of Vietnamese civil society, an opportunity to express their growing confidence in fighting poverty and in sustaining a fruitful dialogue between the Government and the Civil Society.

Vice Minister Dr. Phuc shared his views that NGOs are voluntary and autonomous in functioning and can fill up the gaps that may exist in the government and market systems. Dr. Phuc acknowledged that Vietnamese NGOs have been instrumental in reducing poverty, protecting the environment, fighting against misuse of funds and improving people's participation in the socio economic development of Vietnam.

There is more to the relationship between government and civil society than partnering for the provision of basic services. As Pieter de Baan remarked "How indeed to respond to social change? That is a crucial issue to be addressed [by these two parties] for the sake of continued development and stability in Vietnam. The contributions of international partners, including international NGOs, can have a supportive value. The real drive to open up new avenues for the overall development of the country needs to come from Vietnamese civil society."

International experts from China, Denmark and New Zealand stressed the need for civil society to advocate transparency and accountability as well as to actively participate in service delivery functions. Dr. David Robinson, Director of Social and Civic Policy institute said "steps should be taken to update laws to conform to current international standards wherever possible."

The presentation of the 2005 CIVICUS Civil Society Index Study in Vietnam highlighted the key finding that the lack of an enabling environment is limiting the independence, and therefore the potential impact, of mass organizations and associations in Vietnam. The CIVICUS study was a landmark event in opening up discussions about the roles and possible contributions of the Vietnamese civil society.

According to workshop participants, the Government, international NGOs and donors should recognise Vietnamese NGOs as an important driver of national development. In addition, Vietnamese NGOs should have access to a platform for dialogue with the State, improve networking amongst themselves and be given greater flexibility and easier access to funding and learning opportunities. Participants also suggested the establishment of a separate, independent funding mechanism for civil society in Vietnam, which for example could address the issue of capacity development using innovative approaches proposed by international organizations such as SNV.

As Vietnam accelerates its international integration, witnessed by its accession to the World Trade Organisation on November 7, the Government's agenda should henceforth include strengthening its relationship with Vietnamese civil society. The presence at the workshop of senior delegates from the Government, as well as from the National Assembly and the Vietnam Communist Party, just at a moment when preparations for the upcoming APEC Summit were reaching frenzied heights, indicated the Government?s commitment to improving this relationship.

For more information, please contact: Nguyen Thi Kieu Vien - Senior Governance Advisor - SNV Netherlands Development Organization; Email: vienntk@snvworld.org

To download the 2005 CIVICUS Civil Society Index Study in Vietnam, please go to http://www.snv.org.vn/PubDetail.Asp?ID=103&Show=4&SubId=1