Women receive Orders by Vietnamese and Lao Governments

On the morning of March 25^th, 2015, leaders of the two Unions met and exchanged updates about women’s situation and the prioritized activities of respective organizations, focusing o­n such issues as membership development, supporting women in poverty reduction, proposing law and policies, women in leadership and management, etc. LWU President Sisay Leudedmounsone expressed her heartening with the VWU recent achievements and informed VWU a number of LWU’s activities towards the Lao National Women’s Congress in October this year.

The two Presidents highly appreciated the results achieved in implementing MOU between the two Unions and would love to see stronger mutual support by women of the two countries at regional and international forums. The two sides agreed o­n the need to further the MOU implementation, particularly capacity building for LWU’s staff and supporting women in economic development.

The meeting was followed by a Ceremony to confer Orders of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Lao People's Democratic Republic o­n the two Women’s Union and their several cadres who have made great efforts and contributions to strengthening the special and traditional friendship between the two women. Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan o­n behalf of the State conferred the Independence Order First class o­n the LWU, Independence Order Second class o­n Ms. Sisay Ludedmounsone, member of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee, President of the LWU. The VWU, President Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa and a number of VWU staff were also conferred noble Orders of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

While in Hanoi, the delegation was received by Ms. Ha Thi Khiet, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Head of the Central Commission for Mass Mobilization. Ms. Ha Thi Khiet congratulated the two WUs for having received the noble Orders, expressing her delight to the significant achievements made by the Party, State and people of Laos. She affirmed the eternality of friendship and loyalty between Laos and Vietnam. Women of the two countries are an important factor in maintaining and strengthening this solidarity. She applauded delegation’s working visit in Vietnam and the increasingly effective cooperation between the two WUs. She hoped that the two WUs would continue successfully implementing the assigned tasks, and cooperate to effectively implement the signed MOUs, promote exchanges, sharing of information and experience, and staff training.

During its visit from March 24^th - 28^th, 2015, the LWU delegation paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh, and had meetings with the Vietnam Women's Academy, Ha Nam WU and Quang Ninh WU. The delegation was impressed with provincial WUs’ activities of job creation. The delegation was especially interested in the movement "Building families of 5 without-s and 3 clean-s" which can serve as inputs for the LWU‘s “3 good-s“ movement during the preparation process for the Lao National Women’s Congress./.

At the Ceremony to confer Orders of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Lao People's Democratic Republic held o­n March, 25^th, 2015 at the VWU headquarter, 2 collectives and 8 individuals who had great contributions in maintaining and strengthening the special and traditional friendship between Vietnam and Laos as well as in promoting the two countries’ women development were conferred Medals.

*Medal of Socialist Republic of Vietnam conferred o­n LWU collective and individuals:

- Independence Medal, First class o­n Lao Women’s Union

- Independence Medal, Second class o­n H.E.Ms. Sisay Ludedmuonson, LWU President

- Independence Medal, Third class o­n Mrs. Bundith Prathoumvanh, LWU Vice President

- Friendship Medal o­n Mrs. Bouachanh Syhanarth, Director General of Cabinet, Supervisor of International Relations Department, LWU

* Medal of Lao People's Democratic Republic conferred o­n VWU collective and individuals:

- Liberty Medal, First class o­n Vietnam Women’s Union

- Liberty Medal, Second class o­n H.E.Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa, member of Central Committee of Vietnam Communist Party, VWU President

- Liberty Medals, Third class o­n Mrs. Nguyen Thi Kim Thuy, VWU Former Vice President and Mrs.Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, VWU Former Vice President.

- Friendship Medals o­n Mrs. Pham Hoai Giang, Former Director of International Relations Department, VWU and Mrs. Tran Thi Hoa, Former Deputy Director of International Relations Department, VWU.

Mrs. Ha Thi Khiet, Secretary of Vietnam Party Central Committee, Head of Central Commission for Mass Mobilization with VWU and LWU leaders