A conference on boosting cooperation between state agencies and Vietnamese non-governmental organizations (VNGOs) in national development took place in Hanoi December 14. The event focused on discussing global issues, including the abuse of children’s rights and homosexual marriage, and domestic issues like scientific research activities, support for the disadvantaged and supervision of corporate social responsibilities. Ass. Prof. Dr. Pham Bich San, Vice General Secretary of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA), said the two sides’ cooperation is facing difficulties as the state agencies lack information on VNGOs and have suspicions about their capacity. The biggest challenge that Vietnam is facing is how to build an appropriate mechanism for organizing and managing VNGOs, he noted. Accordingly, the VUSTA suggested streamlining or merging some VNGOs, focusing on enhancing support from the state agencies and mobilizing sources from private businesses. It is necessary to promptly develop new organizations operating in areas where the state agencies cannot cover or operate ineffectively, he added. Vietnam now has around 1,700 domestic and foreign NGOs. In 2010, international NGOs disbursed $280 million for projects on humanitarian assistance and poverty reduction in Vietnam and pledged $157 million more at least to the country’s social projects this year. (Tin Tuc – News Dec 15 p6, Ha Noi Moi – New Hanoi Dec 15 p2, Vietnamplus.vn Dec 14)
