Decision No. 17/2003/QĐ-BNV on approving the amended Charter of the Vietnam-Mongolia Friendship Association

DECISION OF THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS

ON APPROVING THE CHARTER (AMENDED) OF THE VIETNAM-MONGOLIA FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION

Pursuant to Decree No. 102/SL-L004 dated May 20, 1957 on the right to establish Associations;

Pursuant to Decree No. 181/CP dated November 9, 1994 of the Government on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Government’s Organizational and Cadre Affairs Board (now the Ministry of Home Affairs);

Pursuant to Decree No. 86/2002/ND-CP dated November 5, 2002 of the Government on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of ministries and ministerial-level agencies;

Considering the proposal of the Chairman of the Vietnam-Mongolia Friendship Association,

DECISION:

Article 1. Approves the Charter (amended) of the Vietnam-Mongolia Friendship Association adopted at the Second Congress on July 5, 2002.

Article 2. The Chairman of the Vietnam-Mongolia Friendship Association and the Director of the Department for Non-Governmental Organizations shall be responsible for implementing this Decision.

CHARTER OF THE VIETNAM-MONGOLIA FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION

Chapter 1.
PRINCIPLES - OBJECTIVES

Article 1. The name of the Association is "Vietnam-Mongolia Friendship Association." The Vietnam-Mongolia Friendship Association is a social organization operating under its Charter in accordance with the laws of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and is a member of the Vietnam Federation of Friendship Associations.

The Association operates nationwide, has its headquarters in Hanoi, possesses assets and bank accounts, has legal personality, and uses a separate seal.

Article 2. The purpose of the Vietnam-Mongolia Friendship Association is to consolidate, strengthen, and expand friendly cooperative relations and mutual understanding between the people of Vietnam and Mongolia.

Article 3. The tasks of the Vietnam-Mongolia Friendship Association:

+ To organize and coordinate with state agencies and other people's organizations to carry out activities aimed at developing friendly relations between the people of the two countries, Vietnam and Mongolia.

+ To introduce to the Mongolian people the history, culture, lifestyle, and achievements in the reform process of the Vietnamese people.

+ To provide information and introduce to the Vietnamese people the history, culture, lifestyle, and achievements in the country-building process of the Mongolian people.

+ To build and develop friendly and cooperative relations with the Mongolia-Vietnam Friendship Association, the Mongolian Embassy in Vietnam, and other Mongolian political and social organizations through exchange visits, books, films, and other activities.

+ To support and act as a bridge for economic, trade, scientific and technological, educational, cultural, sports, tourism, and other cooperative relations between individuals and organizations in Vietnam and their counterparts in Mongolia.

Chapter 2.
ASSOCIATES - MEMBERS

Article 4. Organizations and Vietnamese citizens who agree with the Charter of the Association, voluntarily apply to join the Association, and are approved by the Standing Committee of the Executive Board of the Association will become members of the Association. Organizations will become member organizations, and individuals will become associates of the Association.

Article 5. Member organizations and associates have the following responsibilities:

- To comply with the Charter, resolutions, and policies of the Association.

- To fully participate in the activities and life of the Association.

- To contribute financially to the Association.

Article 6. Member organizations and associates have the following rights:

- To participate in discussions, contribute opinions, and vote on decisions, policies, and programs of the Association.

- To receive assistance and favorable conditions from the Association to carry out activities aimed at strengthening special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the people of the two countries, Vietnam and Mongolia, in cultural, social, economic, and scientific and technological fields in line with the objectives of the Association.

- To participate in elections and candidacies for leadership positions within the Association.

- Associates have the right to request withdrawal from the Association.

Article 7. Striking off names and expelling members:

1. Members wishing to leave the Association must notify the competent authority of the Association in writing to have their name removed from the list of members.

2. Members who act contrary to the Charter and resolutions of the Association will have their names removed from the list of members.

Chapter 3.
Article 8. Principles of Organization

Article 8. The Vietnam-Mongolia Friendship Association shall be organized on the principle of democracy and consensus. The leadership of the Association shall be elected through democratic elections and majority voting (with a majority being two-thirds or more). In special cases where elections cannot be held, the Interim Executive Board of the Association may be appointed, but not exceeding one term.

Article 9. The organizational structure of the Association includes the Central Association, local associations participating as members of the Central Association, clubs, and affiliated branches under the Central Association.

At the local level, based on specific requirements and conditions, if there is a need to establish an association, it shall be considered and decided upon by the People's Committee of the province or centrally governed city.

The Central Association has the responsibility to guide affiliated organizations in drafting the Charter, organizing, and operating activities to ensure consistency in implementing foreign policy guidelines of the Party and State.

The highest leading body of the Association is the National Congress of Delegates or the General Congress. The Congress convenes once every five years with the task of discussing reports from the Central Executive Board, adopting resolutions, reviewing and amending the Charter, and electing the Central Executive Board.

1. The Central Executive Board of the Association is the body responsible for leading all activities of the Association between congresses.

1.1. The Central Executive Board of the Association consists of the Chairman, Vice Chairmen, Secretary-General, Standing Committee members, and Executive Board members.

1.2. The Central Executive Board decides on policies and measures to implement resolutions adopted by the General Congress; directs affiliated organizations' activities and participation in activities of the Vietnam Peaceful Organization Federation. The Central Executive Board meets once a year.

2. The Chairman of the Association is responsible for:

2.1. Leading and managing all activities of the Association; together with the Standing Committee, overseeing meetings of the Executive Board.

2.2. Representing the Executive Board to coordinate with relevant management agencies in conducting internal and external relations activities of the Association. Participating in activities of the Vietnam Peaceful Organization Federation.

The Vice Chairmen of the Association are responsible for directing specific areas of work within the Association in the absence of the Chairman and representing the Chairman when he is absent.

3. The Standing Committee is appointed by the Central Executive Board and consists of the Chairman, Vice Chairmen, Secretariat (which may include a Secretary-General or secretary), and Standing Committee members. The Standing Committee meets twice a year and is responsible for:

3.1. Directing the Secretariat to prepare content for Executive Board meetings and implement resolutions of the Congress and the Central Executive Board. Together with the Chairman, overseeing Executive Board meetings.

3.2. Guiding affiliated organizations in implementing Central Association resolutions.

3.3. Resolving complaints, accusations, protecting legitimate rights of members and affiliated organizations when infringed upon, and addressing difficulties faced by individuals or affiliated organizations in implementing this Charter.

4. The Secretariat is appointed by the Standing Committee and consists of the Secretary-General and secretary, responsible for:

4.1. Assisting the Standing Committee in preparing content for meetings and convening them.

4.2. Assisting the Standing Committee and the Executive Board in monitoring and supporting affiliated organizations in implementing Central Association resolutions.

4.3. Managing the Association's assets, facilities, documents, and finances.

5. Provincial and municipal Executive Boards and affiliated organizations base their operational content on provisions stipulated in this Charter and resolutions of Central Association leadership bodies.

Article 11. The number of Central Committee members of the Association and member associations shall be decided by the Congress held there, including the Standing Committees. The number of people in the Standing Committee shall not exceed one-third of the number of Central Committee members. The term of office of the Central Committee of the Association is five years. The term of office of the Central Committees of member associations shall be decided by the member associations.

Article 12. The working coordination system within the Association:

1. The Central Association coordinates, guides, and supports local member associations in their activities.

2. Local member associations shall take the initiative in activities in accordance with the Charter of the Association, without contravening the resolutions of the Central Association, and report their work to the Central Association quarterly. Local member associations must cooperate and be subject to the guidance of the Vietnam Friendship Association in their respective localities.

Chapter 4.
ASSOCIATION FINANCES

Article 13. The financial resources of the Association are derived from the following sources:

- Voluntary contributions from members.

- Support from the Vietnam Friendship Association.

- Financial support from organizations and individuals both inside and outside the country in accordance with the law.

- Income from fundraising activities of the Association in compliance with state laws.

The Standing Committees at all levels of the Association are responsible for managing their operational funds in accordance with the state's financial regulations.

Chapter 5.
REWARD AND DISCIPLINE

Article 14. Members, association staff, and organizational units that have achieved outstanding results in friendly activities and successfully completed assigned tasks shall be considered for commendation annually and at each congress by the Association's levels.

Article 15. Members, association staff, and grassroots organizational units that violate the Charter of the Association, damaging its reputation, may be subject to disciplinary measures such as reprimand, warning, removal from position, or expulsion from the Association depending on the severity of the offense.

The imposition of disciplinary measures on members, depending on the severity, shall be decided by the Association's local or Central Committee.

Chapter 6.
IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 16. This Charter was adopted by the National Congress of the Association on July 5, 2002, in Hanoi. Only the National Congress of the Association has the authority to amend and supplement this Charter.

Article 17. This Charter shall take effect from the date it is approved by the competent state agency./.