Decision No. 18/2003/QĐ-BNV on approving the amended Charter of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association

DECISION OF THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS

Regarding the approval of the Charter (amended)

Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association

- Based on Decree No. 102/SL-L004 dated May 20, 1957 regarding the right to establish associations,

- Based on Decree No. 181/CP dated November 9, 1994 of the Government on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Civil Service Department of the Government (now the Ministry of Home Affairs).

- Based on Decree No. 86/2002/NĐ-CP dated November 5, 2002 of the Government on the functions, tasks, powers, and structure of ministries and ministerial-level agencies,

- Considering the proposal of the Chairman of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association;

DECISION:

Article 1: Approves the amended Charter of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association which was adopted at the Second Congress on January 20, 2003.

Article 2: The Chairman of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association, the Director of the Non-Governmental Organizations Department shall be responsible for implementing this Decision./.

CHARTER OF THE VIETNAM-LAO FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION

Chapter I: PRINCIPLES - OBJECTIVES

Article 1. Name of the Association: Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association.

Article 2The Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association is a social organization, a member of the Vietnam Federation of Friendship Associations, operating under its Charter in accordance with current laws of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the principles and objectives of the Vietnam Federation of Friendship Associations.

The objectives of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association are to contribute to enhancing mutual understanding between the people of the two countries, to consolidate and develop the special friendship, solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. The main partner of the Association is the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association, while the Association also develops broad relations with political and social organizations, business enterprises in Laos for the benefit of the people of both countries, for peace, cooperation, and development in Southeast Asia and globally.

Article 3. The Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association is a legal entity with its own seal, financial resources, and account to serve its activities.

Article 4. The Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association has the following tasks:

- Together with the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association, introduce and provide information to various strata of the Lao people about the history, country, people, culture, and achievements in building and defending the country of the Vietnamese people, as well as Vietnam's open foreign policy of diversification and multilateralization.

- Introduce and provide information to various strata of the Vietnamese people, especially the younger generation, about the history, country, people, culture, and achievements in building the country of the Lao people, as well as the traditional special and loyal relationship between the Vietnamese people and the Lao ethnic groups.

- Serve as a bridge to promote and facilitate friendly and cooperative activities, economic, cultural, scientific, and technological exchanges effectively and practically, contributing to the development of special friendship, solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the people of Vietnam and Laos.

- Organize exchanges of friendship delegations, information exchange, and meetings with the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association as well as with social, economic, and cultural organizations in Laos to promote special friendly and cooperative relations between the people of the two countries.

Chapter II: MEMBERSHIP

Article 5. 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 members of the Association.

Article 6.Member organizations and members have the following responsibilities:

- Adhere to the Charter, resolutions, and policies of the Association.

- Fully participate in the activities and life of the Association.

- Contribute to the finances of the Association.

, Clause 1, Clause 2 Article 7a of this Regulation.Member organizations and members have the following rights:

- Participate in discussions, contribute opinions for the construction and vote to approve decisions, policies, and activity programs of the Association.

- Be assisted and provided favorable conditions by the Association to operate towards the goal of strengthening special friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the people of Vietnam and Laos in cultural, social, economic, and scientific and technological fields in line with the objectives of the Association.

- Have the right to participate in elections and run for positions in leadership bodies at all levels of the Association.

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

Article 8. 注销会员资格和开除会员：

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 III: ORGANIZATION OF THE ASSOCIATION

Article 9. The Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association is organized on the principle of democracy and consensus. The leadership of the Association is elected through democratic elections and majority voting (with a majority being two-thirds or more). In special cases where elections cannot be held, the temporary Executive Board of the Association will be appointed, but not exceeding one term.

Article 10. The organization 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 by the People's Committee of the province or centrally governed city.

The Central Association is responsible for guiding affiliated organizations in formulating Bylaws, organizing, and operating to ensure consistency in implementing foreign policy guidelines of the Party and State.

Article 11The highest leading body of the Association is the National Congress of Delegates or the Full 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 Bylaws, 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: Chairperson, Vice-Chairpersons, Secretary-General, Standing Committee members, and Executive Board members.

1. 2. The Central Executive Board decides on policies and measures to implement resolutions of the Full Congress; directs affiliated Association organizations in their activities and participation in activities of the Vietnam Friendship Organization Alliance. The Central Executive Board meets once a year.

2. The Chairperson of the Association has the responsibility to:

2. 1. Lead and manage all activities of the Association; together with the Standing Committee, preside over meetings of the Executive Board.

2. 2. Represent the Executive Board to coordinate with relevant management agencies in implementing activities within the Association's internal and external relations. Participate in activities of the Vietnam Friendship Organization Alliance.

The Vice-Chairpersons of the Association have the responsibility to direct each sector of the Association's work on behalf of the Chairperson and represent the Chairperson when the Chairperson is absent.

3. The Standing Committee is appointed by the Central Executive Board of the Association, consisting of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairpersons, 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 organize implementation of resolutions of the Congress and Central Executive Board resolutions. Together with the Chairperson, preside over Executive Board meetings.

3. 2. Guide affiliated Association organizations in implementing Central Association resolutions.

3. 3. Resolve complaints and accusations, protect legitimate rights of members and affiliated organizations when infringed upon, and resolve difficulties faced by individuals or affiliated organizations in implementing this Bylaw.

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

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

4. 2. Assisting the Standing Committee and Executive Board in monitoring and supporting affiliated organizations in implementing resolutions of the Central Association Congress.

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

5. Provincial and municipal Executive Boards and affiliated organizations base their activities on provisions of this Bylaw and resolutions of Central Association leadership bodies.

Article 12. The number of Central Executive Board members and affiliated associations is determined by the Congress at that location, including Standing Committees. The number of Standing Committee members must not exceed one-third of the total number of Executive Board members. The term of the Central Executive Board is five years. The term of Executive Boards of affiliated associations is determined by the affiliated associations themselves.

Article 13Coordination system within the Association:

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

2. Local affiliated associations actively engage in activities according to the Association's Bylaw without contravening Central Association resolutions, reporting quarterly on their work to the Central Association. Local affiliated associations must cooperate and be subject to the direction of the local Vietnam Friendship Organization Alliance.

Chapter IV: FINANCE

Article 14. The finance of the Association is established from the following sources:

- Voluntary contributions from members.

- Support from the Vietnam Friendship Association.

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

- Revenue from fundraising activities conducted by 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 V: REWARDS AND DISCIPLINE

Article 15Members, Association staff, and organizational units that achieve notable results in friendly activities and successfully complete assigned tasks shall be eligible for rewards annually and during each congress.

Article 16. Members, Association staff, and grassroots organizations that violate the Charter of the Association, damaging its reputation, may face disciplinary measures such as reprimand, warning, removal from position, or expulsion from the Association depending on the severity of the offense.

The implementation of disciplinary actions against members, based on the level of violation, will be decided by the Association's Local Executive Committee or the Central Executive Committee.

Chapter VI: EFFECTIVE PROVISIONS

Article 17.

- This Charter was adopted by the National Congress of the Association on January 20, 2003, in Hanoi. Only the National Congress of the Association has the authority to amend the Charter.

- This Charter takes effect from the date it is approved by the competent state authority./.

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