Cooperation between the Vietnam Women’s Union and some Canadian organizations

20/04/2005
Vietnam and Canada has officially established the diplomatic relationship since August 1973, opening the new chapter in developing the friendship and cooperation in many sectors between the two countries for the benefits of respective countries and contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in Asia- Pacific and the rest of the world.

For many years, Canada has been always is in the list of donors in the world. By August 2003, Canada has 31 projects invested in Vietnam valued at US$ 47,9 million, ranging 28th among countries and terriorities invested in Vietnam. Furthermore, through the Canadian International and Development Agency (CIDA), Canada has provided Vietnam with valuable ODA assistance, concentrated in administrative reform, information technologies, poverty alleviation, health and nutrition; HIV/AIDs; basic education and children protection, gender equality…These projects have made good impacts.

 

Since 1990, Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) has partnership with some Canadian organizations such as Rosemont College, Quebec University in Montreal (UQAM); Toronto University; Canada Fund in Hanoi in human resource development.

 

Since 1992, VWU has started its cooperation with Rosemont College in Quebec – o­ne of prestigious colleges in Canada well-known for its training o­n enterprises and provision of support services and counseling for entrepreneurs. The College has various International projects o­n this area overseas, including in Vietnam.

 

With the funding of 400,000 Canada$ supported by Canadian Community of Colleges’ Association (ACCC), VWU and Rosemont College cooperated in implementing a training project o­n “Women and Employment” (1995-1998). The project provided training o­n capacity building and management and operation of the Vocational Training Centers of VWU at city/provincial level for 140 rounds of participants from these centers.

 

With the positive results gained by this project, ACCC continued its support to VWU with 492.786 $Canada to implement the second project “Women and Rural Development” (1999-2003). The project organized 12 training courses o­n enterprise establishment and management such as business planning, training services, financial management and accounting… for staff from 15 provinces and districts women’s union in the North and Central of Vietnam.

 

The project is highly appreciated for its effectiveness since many trained women are able to transfer knowledge, provide counseling and support to other women in business, micro-enterprises set-up. Particularly, some women have established center to provide counseling and jobs promotion. In many project sites, Women’s Entrepreneurship Clubs have been set up specialized o­n specific occupations such as sea food processing, agricultural products processing and extension services … This project is very significant in helping women improve their quality of life and higher income generation for their families.

 

Through Rosemont College, VWU approached Quebec University in Montreal (UQAM) in 1993 – also o­ne of well-known Universities o­n management in Canada. As a result, since 1999, VWU officially established the partnerships with UQAM since 1999 in the Program “Assistance for Institutional and Regional Development o­n Management in Vietnam” (DIREG) (1999-2005) funded by CIDA with the total amount of USD 4,7 million. Vietnam Women’s Union is o­ne of the 8(2) Vietnamese partners participating in this Program to develop the human resource in management, entrepreneurship management, qualified consultants, counselor and entrepreneurship development in both quality and quantity, creating many jobs for young women through gender perspective and enhancing women’s status in national development process. By October 2003, within the frame work of VWU’s involvement in DIREG Program, VWU had organized 3 training courses o­n leadership, management, planning for leaders, managers, trainers and officers from several department/units at the central level. Furthermore, the Program has helped to develop a network o­n promoting women’s education and development.

 

Canada Fund run by Canada Embassy in Hanoi is also important partner of VWU at different levels. The Fund directly helps various communities to implement small development projects which are very creative in prioritized areas. The Fund pays special attention to the poor women to promote their participation in the socio-economic and political development. By October 2003, This Fund has funded 42 projects implemented in 40 city/provinces women’s unions in the North, Central and South of Vietnam with a total value of US$ 460.905 and 3 billion Vietnamese Dong. These projects have contributed significantly to improving the livelihood of poor women in rural areas – the most vulnerable groups.

 

The cooperation between VWU and the above mentioned Canadian organizations has brought positive results, especially o­n improving the capacity of management and training of VWU’s staff. VWU wishes to strengthen the partnership with Canadian partners o­n many sectors for the advancement of women in Vietnam.

 

(1)Officers from the 15 provincial Women’s Union: Quang Tri, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Quang Binh, Thanh Hoa, Ha Tinh, Nghe An, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, Phu Tho, Ninh Binh, Nam Dinh, Ha Nam, Bac Kan, Thai Nguyen and Central Women’s’ Union.


(2)
8 Vietnamese partners participating in DIREG Program: 1) Economic Science University inHo Chi Minh City; 2) Hue University; 3) Da Lat University; 4) Da Nang University; 5) National Economic University inHanoi; 6) Accounting and Finance College inHanoi; 7) Vietnam Chamber of Commerce andIndustryand 8) Vietnam Women’s Union.

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