A scientific seminar on the topic "The Contribution of Socio-Political Organizations in the Process of Socio-Policy Planning" was organized by the Center for Policy Research (University of Social Sciences and Humanities) on November 3-4, 2011, at the Bao Son Hotel in Hanoi. The seminar focused on discussing and clarifying the role of socio-political organizations in the policy-making process in Vietnam.The seminar was attended by experts from the Federal Republic of Germany, China, and Singapore, as well as representatives from central agencies, provinces/cities, research centers, and universities nationwide. According to Associate Professor Pham Xuan Hang (Vice Chairman of the Policy Advisory Council of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi), the role of socio-political organizations in the policy-making process is demonstrated in their capacity as member organizations of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and in their role of social supervision and criticism during policy-making. Associate Professor Pham Xuan Hang emphasized that socio-political organizations need to focus on improving the quality of their criticism in the following areas: ensuring objectivity, scientific rigor, constructiveness, and a people-oriented approach; and clearly expressing points of consensus. Assessing the suitability of policies to social realities, issues of policy inappropriateness must be analyzed and explained scientifically, using practical realities as a standard, and proposing solutions and remedies to address them…
Dr. Joerg Wischermann (Institute for Asian Studies), through his study of the governance and operation of civil society in Vietnam, argues that, given its potential and limitations, the governance and operation of civil society in Vietnam need to change its principles from within. Discussing the activities of associations (also known as civil society organizations), Dr. Trinh Hoa Binh (Institute of Sociology) analyzes the role of associations in policy making, which includes: social monitoring and control, social consultation and critique, and creating social consensus. The discussions focused on general issues such as: “The relationship between socio-political organizations and civil society in the policy-making process” - Prof. Dr. Tran Ngoc Hien (Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Public Administration) and specific, practical issues: “The role, significance and current state of social critique activities of the Vietnam Fatherland Front in the policy and law-making of the Party and State: Issues arising and directions for improvement” – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Xuan Duc (Director of the Center for Theoretical Work, Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front) and also related issues: “Self-reliance in climate protection. Encouraging local people to implement climate protection measures” – Mr. Taschner Stefan (Executive Director, Citizen Climate Protection Initiative)…
The scientific seminar "The Contribution of Socio-Political Organizations in the Process of Socio-Policy Planning" was organized with the support of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation (Federal Republic of Germany). In 2010, the Foundation supported the University in organizing the workshop "The Role of Civil Society in the Policy Planning Process". The University of Social Sciences and Humanities began cooperating with the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation in 2002, and a series of scientific studies, training courses, workshops, and seminars have been implemented, yielding certain positive results for the research and policy planning work of the University and its scientific and educational sectors.
