Vietnam Women’s Union and Lao Women’s Union Strengthens Cooperation

The delegation met and worked with the LWU with the presence of LWU President Sysay Leudedmounsone at the central level, visited and shared experiences with several units of the LWU. During the meetings, the two sides focused o­n reviewing the implementation of the cooperation agreement; and exchanged information and experiences o­n women’s union activities. They also discussed the ways to improve the effectiveness of cooperation between provincial Women Unions of the two countries; discussed how to help overseas Vietnamese women in Laos; and shared experience o­n the control of domestic violence and human trafficking.

The two Unions also spent a great deal of time discussing solutions to improve the quality of training for LWU staff. The LWU proposed the VWU to help develop the Bachelor curriculum o­n women’s work at the Laos National Politics Institute, and to improve the training quality of the Lao vocational training centers.

Lao Women’s Union appreciated the quality, applicability, and relevance of the training at Vietnam Women’s Academy - VWA. Upon returning to their home country, Lao women can now effectively apply the learned knowledge into their daily work. Many of VWA curricula have been used as handbooks to train local LWU staff. In particular, the experiences gained from micro-finance activities of the VWU have been applied effectively in Laos. The LWU Fund for women and family development has become o­ne of the top micro-finance organizations in Laos PDR.

During their stay in Laos, the delegation had the honor to be received by Mr. Bounnhang Vorachith, Permanent Secretariat of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and Vice President of the Lao PDR. In Luon Prabang, the delegation was cordially welcomed by the Deputy Permanent Provincial Secretary. The Laos leaders highly appreciated the cooperation and assistance of the VWU in numerous areas, especially in training.

 On this occasion, the delegation also visited the Vietnam Embassy and Consulate General in Laos, meeting with representatives of overseas Vietnamese women in Vientiane to learn about their life and aspiration. The delegation informed them of the first Conference for overseas Vietnamese women to be co-chaired by the VWU and State Commission o­n Overseas Vietnamese - Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the end of the year.

The visit of the VWU delegation to Laos PDR was successfully concluded, helping strengthen the traditional friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries and two women.