VietNamNet Bridge – The biggest challenge in improving the co-operation between NGOs and State offices was the establishment of a mechanism to organise and manage the NGOs in a way suitable to the context of Viet Nam, officials have pointed out.

Speaking at an annual conference in Ha Noi yesterday, Dec 14, to seek ways to boost co-operation between Vietnamese NGOs and State offices, Deputy General Secretary of the Viet Nam Union of Science and Technology Associations Pham Bich San said that NGOs had failed to effectively mobilise contributions from enterprises, while the organisation and operation of the NGOs was not harmonious.

“The co-operation has encountered various difficulties as the NGOs hold that State offices fail to understand and doubt their capabilities while they have failed to define the fields of their own operation,” San added.

In Viet Nam, co-operation between NGOs and State offices focuses on global issues with support from international institutions such as abuse of children’s rights, same-sex marriage, scientific research, support to the disadvantaged, and supervision over social responsibility of enterprises.

Participants exchanged their experiences in the co-operation between NGOs and local authorities, including the protection of water resources, job training in craft villages, and prevention of violence against children. They also proposed that the union conduct more activities to solidify its position and to look for more financial support.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News