Decision No. 27/2004/QD-BNV Regarding the Approval of the Charter (Amended) of the Vietnam Environment Protection Association

DECISION

Regarding the approval of the Charter (amended) of the Vietnam Environment Protection Association and

Environment Male

_____________________

 

THE MINISTER OF THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

Pursuant to Decree No. 102-SL/LOO4 dated May 20, 1957 promulgating the Law on the Right to Establish Associations.

Pursuant to the Government's Decree No. 45/2003/NĐ-CP dated 09/5/2003  determining the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Home Affairs;

Pursuant to the Government's Decree No. 88/2003/NĐ-CP dated 30/7/2003 regulating the organization, operation, and management of associations;

Considering the proposal of the Chairman of the Vietnam Environment Protection Association and the Director of the Department for Non-Governmental Organizations,

  

DECISION: 

Article 1. Approves the Charter (amended) of the Vietnam Environment Protection Association which was adopted at the Fourth General Assembly on November 6, 2003.

Article 2. The Standard Measurement Quality Control Department shall be responsible for organizing and guiding the implementation of the Regulations adopted herein.

Article 3. The Chairman of the Vietnam Environment Protection Association and the Director of the Department for Non-Governmental Organizations shall be responsible for implementing this Decision./.

  

Charter (amended) of the Vietnam Environment Protection Association

and Environment Male

 

PART I

NAME, AIMS, AND OBJECTIVES

Article 1. The Vietnam Environment Protection Association is a social-professional organization of individuals who are concerned with contributing or working in the field of natural resource protection and environmental conservation, established pursuant to Decision No. 299/CT dated November 23, 1988 of the Council of Ministers (now Prime Minister).

Article 2. The purpose of the Vietnam Environment Protection Association is to gather and mobilize individuals and social organizations in Vietnam to participate in activities serving the rational use and protection of natural resources, environmental protection and improvement, contributing to sustainable development of the country in industrialization and modernization, and contributing to regional and global environmental protection.

Article 3. The Association operates according to its Charter and national laws. The Association is subject to management by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and relevant state management agencies.

The Association is a member of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations

The Association has legal personality, its own seal and bank account, and its own media outlet and emblem.

The Association's headquarters is located in Hanoi City. Depending on needs, the Association may establish representative offices in certain domestic locations in accordance with the law.

         

Chapter II

RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF THE ASSOCIATION

Article 4. The Vietnam Environment Protection Association has rights and obligations:

1. To disseminate, educate, raise awareness, and promote knowledge about natural resource protection and environmental conservation among the people, contributing to incorporating natural resource protection and environmental conservation into teaching programs in schools.

2. To mobilize the people to comply with laws, actively contribute their efforts to natural resource protection and environmental conservation activities, build mass movements for natural resource protection and environmental conservation, and combat all acts violating laws and regulations on natural resource protection and environmental conservation.

3. To mobilize and organize members to participate in building and implementing policies, laws, and measures related to natural resource protection and environmental conservation; carry out advisory, critical, and social appraisal activities for state agencies and business organizations on issues within the scope of the Association's activities.

4. To organize activities to enhance members' awareness, knowledge, and capabilities in natural resource protection and environmental conservation work, participate in scientific research and technological development activities related to natural resource protection and environmental conservation.

5. To protect the legitimate rights and interests of the Association and its members.

6. To raise funds based on membership fees and income from the Association's activities, legally accept donations from organizations and individuals both domestically and internationally in accordance with the law to cover operational expenses.

7. To cooperate with other Vietnamese social organizations, individuals and organizations of Vietnamese overseas, and individuals and organizations of foreign countries and international organizations to effectively implement natural resource protection and environmental conservation in Vietnam and contribute to regional and global environmental protection.

8. To participate as a member of regional and international organizations operating in the field of environmental protection in accordance with the law.

 

Chapter III

MEMBERS

Article 5. Members of the Association include: Individual members, Collective members, and Honorary members.

1Individual members are Vietnamese citizens interested in natural resource protection and environmental conservation, voluntarily working for the Association, agreeing with the Charter of the Association, submitting an application to join the Association and being recognized by the Executive Board of the Branch.

2. Collective members are groups of people currently working or studying at administrative agencies, scientific institutions, schools, production and business organizations, units under the police and military forces, and other social organizations in Vietnam, voluntarily working for the Association, agreeing with the Charter of the Association, submitted by the head of the collective and recognized by the Central Executive Board of the Association.

3. Honorary members are organizations and individuals who have made significant contributions to natural resource protection and environmental conservation in Vietnam and positively support the Association's activities, recognized by the Central Executive Board of the Association.

Article 6. Members have the following rights:

1. To be issued a membership card in accordance with specific provisions of the Central Executive Board of the Association.

2. To participate in discussions and voting on matters of the Association at Association meetings.

3. To run for and be elected to leadership positions.

4. Depending on specific conditions and the Association's capacity, to receive assistance in carrying out Association tasks or environmental protection activities, such as: providing information; using some of the Association's materials; participating in projects or research topics led by the Association; attending training courses; being recommended or sent to attend domestic and international meetings.

5. To request withdrawal from the Association.

Article 7. Members have the following obligations:

1. To set a good example in complying with state policies and laws on environmental protection.

2. To respect and comply with the Charter and Resolutions of the Association.

3. To actively participate in the implementation of the Association's tasks and in building the Association.

4. To pay membership fees as stipulated by the Association.

Article 8.

1. Organizations and individuals referred to in Clause 1 and 2 of Article 5 above, who voluntarily join the Association, shall submit an application in accordance with the Central Executive Board's regulations.

2. The application for membership shall be accepted if more than 50% of the members of the Executive Board of the Branch Association (in the case of individual members) or more than 50% of the members of the Central Executive Board of the Association (in the case of collective members) agree.

Article 9. A voluntary member wishing to leave the Association only needs to submit an application to the Executive Board of the Branch Association or the Central Executive Board of the Association, as stipulated in Clause 2 of Article 8.

 

Chapter IV

ORGANIZATION OF THE ASSOCIATION

Article 10. The Association is organized and operates on a voluntary, self-managed, and self-financed basis.

The organizational structure of the Association includes: the National Congress of Delegates, the Central Executive Board, the Standing Committee, the Inspection Board, the Chairman and Vice Chairmen, the General Secretary and the Association Office, and affiliated units.

The Association is established at both the central level and local levels.

At the central level, it is the Vietnam Environment Protection Association.

At the local level, if there is a need, a local environmental protection association may be established. The establishment is decided by the People's Committee of the locality in accordance with the law. Local associations that agree to the Charter of the Vietnam Environment Protection Association and apply for membership will be recognized as member associations.

In places where conditions for establishing an Association are not yet met, a Branch Association may be established.

Article 11. The highest leadership body of the Association is the National Congress of Delegates convened by the Central Executive Board of the Association every five years. In cases where two-thirds or more of the members of the Central Executive Board officially request, an extraordinary congress may be convened.

The Congress has the following tasks:

1. Approve the report of the Central Executive Board of the Association on the activities of the Association.

2. Approve the direction of work during the term.

3. Approve the Charter and decisions to amend the Charter of the Association.

4. Decide on economic, financial matters, and other issues of the Association.

5. Elect the Central Executive Board of the Association and the Inspection Board.

6. Nominate representatives to attend the Congress of the Vietnam Association for Science and Technology.

Article 12. The leadership body between two congresses is the Central Executive Board of the Association elected by the Congress. The number of members of the Central Executive Board and the election method are determined by the Congress. Between two congresses, the Central Executive Board has the authority to dismiss and supplement members, but the number of members must be as determined by the Congress.

The Central Executive Board of the Association convenes once a year.

The tasks of the Central Committee of the Association include:

1. Lead the implementation of the resolutions of the National Congress.

2. Maintain contact with state agencies, partner associations, and international organizations.

3. Elect the positions of Chairman, Vice Chairmen, General Secretary, Standing Members, and Head of the Inspection Board. The election method is determined by the Central Executive Board.

4. Manage the permanent office of the Central Executive Board of the Association.

Article 13. The permanent office of the Central Executive Board of the Association is the Standing Committee, consisting of the Chairman, Vice Chairmen, General Secretary, and Standing Members.

The total number of Standing Committee members does not exceed one-fifth of the total number of Central Executive Board members.

The Standing Committee meets regularly every six months to:

Check and urge the implementation of the work programs of various boards, Central Executive Board members, and branch executive boards.

Resolve emerging tasks.

The President has rights, responsibilities:

Represent the Association before the law.

Organize and implement the resolutions of the Congress, the Congress of Delegates, and the decisions of the Central Executive Board and the Standing Committee.

Convene and chair meetings of the Central Executive Board of the Association.

Appoint personnel for the Association Office and affiliated organizations established by the Association.

Be responsible to the Central Executive Board and all members regarding the activities of the Association.

The Vice Chairmen assist the Chairman in their assigned areas and are authorized to manage the affairs of the Central Executive Board when the Chairman is absent.

Article 14.

1. The Inspection Board consists of one Head who is a member of the Central Executive Board of the Association elected by the Congress, and includes from three to five members.

2. The Inspection Board is responsible for inspecting, verifying, reviewing, and recommending measures to address violations of the Charter or other regulations of the Association.

Article 15. The office assisting the Central Executive Board of the Association is the Association Office, under the responsibility of the General Secretary.

1. The General Secretary of the Association manages the operations of the Association Office, has the authority to resolve tasks assigned by the Chairman and the Standing Committee between meetings of the Standing Committee.

2. The Association Office has the following responsibilities and powers:

- Implement resolutions and decisions of the Central Executive Board of the Association and the Standing Committee.

Ensure regular communication within the Association and its working relations with external agencies.

Carry out administrative and archival work of the Association.

Manage the assets of the Association.

Conduct financial work of the Association in accordance with current regulations.

Article 16. Member Associations of the Vietnam Environment Protection Association operate according to the Charter approved by the Standing Committee of the Association.

Article 17.

1. Branch Associations operate according to the Charter of the Association.

2. Branch Associations hold a full assembly of members every five years.

3. The Congress of Branch Associations elects the Branch Executive Board to oversee the general operations of the Branch Association.

Article 18. Depending on the requirements of the work, the Association may establish some affiliated organizations and units in accordance with the law.

Chapter V

FINANCE AND ASSETS OF THE ASSOCIATION

Article 19. The financial resources of the Association include:

1. Membership fees contributed by members.

2. Income from scientific and technical service activities.

3. Legal donations from domestic and foreign organizations and individuals.

Revenue obtained must be allocated for the activities of the Association in accordance with the Charter of the Association and relevant laws.

Article 20. The assets of the Association consist of real estate (if any), movable property, and money, which belong to the Association.

The assets of the Association are managed and used for its activities in accordance with the regulations of the Central Executive Board of the Association.

When the Association is dissolved, its assets will be handled in accordance with the law.

 

Chapter VI

REWARD AND DISCIPLINE 

Article 20. Organizations of the Association and outstanding members will be commended or recommended for commendation by the State by the Central Executive Board of the Association.

Article 22. The Association establishes the "For Environmental Protection Cause" award to encourage individuals and groups who have made outstanding contributions to the environmental protection movement. Each year, the Central Executive Board reviews and decides on the awards.

Article 23. Organizations and members of the Association that violate the Statutes of the Association, causing damage to the reputation and interests of the Association, or violating state laws shall be subject to reprimand, warning, or expulsion from the Association (for members) or dissolution (for Association organizations), depending on the severity of the violation.

  

Chapter VII

EFFECTIVENESS AND AMENDMENT OF THE ASSOCIATION CHARTER

Article 24. These Statutes consist of seven chapters and twenty-five articles, adopted at the Fourth National Congress of the Vietnam Environment Protection Association on November 6, 2003, and become effective upon approval by the Ministry of Home Affairs and permission for circulation in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Article 25. Only the National Congress of the Vietnam Environment Protection Association has the authority to amend and supplement these Statutes. Any amendments or supplements must be approved by the competent state agency and permitted for circulation in accordance with the provisions of the law./.