Decision No. 740/QD-BNV Approves the Charter (Amended) of the Vietnam Friendship Association

Pursuant to …;

Approving the Charter (Amended) of the Vietnam Federation of Friendship Organizations

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THE MINISTER OF THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

Pursuant to Decree No. 102/SL-L004 dated May 20, 1957 promulgating the Law on the Right to Establish Associations;

Pursuant to Decree No. 48/2008/ND-CP dated April 17, 2008 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Home Affairs;

Pursuant to Decree No. 88/2003/ND-CP dated July 30, 2003 of the Government on the organization, operation, and management of associations;

Considering the proposal of the Chairman of the Vietnam Federation of Friendship Organizations and the Director of the Department for Non-Governmental Organizations,

DECISION:

Article 1. Approves the Amended Charter of the Vietnam Federation of Friendship Organizations which was adopted at the Fourth National Congress of the Vietnam Federation of Friendship Organizations on December 18, 2008, in Hanoi.

Article 2. This Decision takes effect from the date of signature.

Article 3. The Chairman of the Vietnam Federation of Friendship Organizations, the Director of the Department for Non-Governmental Organizations, and the Head of the Office of the Ministry of Home Affairs shall be responsible for implementing this Decision.

CHARTER (AMENDED)

VIETNAM FEDERATION OF FRIENDSHIP ORGANIZATIONS
(Approved pursuant to Decision No. 740/QD-BNV dated May 4, 2009 of the Minister of Home Affairs)

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Chapter 1.

NAME, AIMS, AND OBJECTIVES

Article 1. Name

Vietnamese name: Vietnam Federation of Friendship Organizations

Vietnamese abbreviation: Friendship Federation (FF).

English name: Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations.

English abbreviation: VUFO

Article 2. Aims and Objectives

The Vietnam Federation of Friendship Organizations is a political-social organization specializing in mobilization and unification work aimed at peace and development, expanding solidarity and friendship relations, and promoting cooperation between the people of Vietnam and the people of other countries around the world and foreign non-governmental organizations. The Vietnam Federation of Friendship Organizations is a member of the Vietnam Fatherland Front.

November 17, 1950 is the Traditional Day of the Vietnam Federation of Friendship Organizations.

Article 3. Principles of Operation

1. The Vietnam Federation of Friendship Organizations is organized and operates based on the principles of voluntariness, equality, democratic consultation, and compliance with the laws of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

2. The Vietnam Federation of Friendship Organizations and its provincial and centrally-administered city member organizations are guaranteed funding, material resources, and operational means; central and local member organizations of the Federation are supported with funding for their activities.

Article 4. Scope of Activities

The Vietnam Federation of Friendship Organizations operates nationwide, has legal personality, and possesses seals and bank accounts.

The headquarters of the Vietnam Federation of Friendship Organizations is located in Hanoi.

Chapter 2.

TASKS AND AUTHORITIES

Article 5. Tasks

1. Conducting activities aimed at:

a) Enhancing mutual understanding, consolidating and developing solidarity and friendship relations, encouraging and supporting economic, cultural, scientific, and technological cooperation between the people of Vietnam and the people of other countries.

b) Securing broad support from the world's people for the cause of building and defending the homeland of the Vietnamese people.

c) Supporting the just struggle of the people of other countries, contributing to the common struggle for peace, national independence, democracy, development, and social progress.

2. Serving as a focal point for foreign non-governmental organization work, coordinating efforts to mobilize and allocate assistance from peace, solidarity, friendship organizations, foreign non-governmental organizations, and individuals to contribute to the country's socio-economic development and humanitarian aid.

3. Participating in research on international issues and organizing studies on the Federation's partners as a basis for implementing the Federation's tasks and making recommendations to the State and related organizations.

4. Guiding member organizations in their activities related to peace, solidarity, friendship, international cooperation, and mobilizing foreign non-governmental organization assistance.

Article 6. Powers and Duties

1. Establish peaceful, solidarity, friendly, and cooperative relations with corresponding organizations, non-governmental organizations, and foreign individuals; send delegations abroad and welcome foreign delegations to Vietnam in accordance with current state regulations.

2. Propose to competent authorities regarding decisions to send delegations abroad and welcome foreign delegations to Vietnam for peaceful, solidarity, friendly activities, and non-governmental aid for member organizations at local levels.

3. Directly engage with ministries, sectors, mass organizations, central-level political-social organizations, and local party committees and governments at all levels to resolve matters related to the Vietnam Association of Friendship Organizations.

4. Participate in opinions on the formulation of policies, regulations, and normative legal documents related to people's diplomacy work and be provided information according to regulations.

5. Recommend to the Government and People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities regarding the establishment or dissolution of peace, solidarity, friendship, and cooperation organizations with people from other countries.

6. Carry out certain tasks assigned by the Government.

Chapter 3.

MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATIONS

Article 7. Members

1. Members of the Vietnam Association of Friendship Organizations include:

a. Central-level people's peace, solidarity, friendship, and cooperation organizations;

b. Provincial-level Vietnam Association of Friendship Organizations or similar organizations in centrally-administered cities.

2. These organizations are established and operate in accordance with the law and are consistent with the Charter of the Vietnam Association of Friendship Organizations.

Article 8. Obligations of Membership Organizations

Membership organizations of the Vietnam Association of Friendship Organizations have the obligations:

1. To comply with the Charter of the Vietnam Association of Friendship Organizations, adhere to organizational and leadership personnel regulations, follow guidance on policy directions and operational programs, and accept supervision by the Vietnam Association of Friendship Organizations' Executive Board.

2. To implement people's diplomatic activity programs and plans of the Vietnam Association of Friendship Organizations; coordinate and assist other membership organizations in their activities.

3. To contribute to the common operational fund of the Vietnam Association of Friendship Organizations based on their capacity.

Article 9. Rights of Membership Organizations

Membership organizations of the Vietnam Association of Friendship Organizations have the rights:

1. To nominate representatives to the Leadership Body of the Vietnam Association of Friendship Organizations.

2. To participate in building and approving operational directions, programs, and plans of the Vietnam Association of Friendship Organizations.

3. To receive assistance and favorable conditions from the Vietnam Association of Friendship Organizations in their activities such as information provision, cadre training, and protection of legitimate rights.

Chapter 4.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Article 10. Leadership Bodies

The leadership bodies of the Vietnam Association of Friendship Organizations consist of:

1. National Congress of Delegates;

2. Executive Board;

3. Standing Committee.

Article 11. National Congress of Delegates

The National Congress of Delegates of the Vietnam Association of Friendship Organizations is the highest leadership body, convened every five years with participation from members of the Executive Board of the Association and delegates from membership organizations.

The National Congress of Delegates has the following tasks and powers:

1. To approve the report on the work of the Executive Board, discuss and decide on the direction and tasks of the Vietnam Association of Friendship Organizations;

2. To approve amendments to the Charter;

3. To negotiate and elect the Executive Board of the Vietnam Association of Friendship Organizations.

Article 12. The Standing Committee

The Standing Committee is the leading body of the Vietnam Association of Friendship Organizations between National Congresses.

1. The Standing Committee consists of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairpersons, Secretary-General of the Vietnam Association of Friendship Organizations, Chairpersons of all member organizations, Heads of Departments and units of the permanent office of the Association, representatives of some agencies and people's organizations, and some outstanding individuals.

2. The Standing Committee convenes once a year. At the proposal of the Chairperson, the Standing Committee may convene extraordinary meetings or expanded meetings.

3. The Standing Committee Meeting has the following tasks and powers:

a) Discussing and approving reports from the Executive Board; deciding on the program and annual plan of activities between two Standing Committee Meetings;

b) Approving the number and list of the Executive Board and changing personnel of the Executive Board at the proposal of the Chairperson of the Association;

c) Deciding to recognize or not recognize the status of member organizations; disciplining member organizations and Standing Committee members.

The Standing Committee may convene an extraordinary National Congress upon request of at least two-thirds of member organizations.

4. The Standing Committee may establish advisory councils to study, provide information, and advise the Executive Board and the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Association of Friendship Organizations on measures to promote and enhance the effectiveness of the Association's operations.

Article 13. The Executive Board

The Executive Board is the directing body of the Vietnam Association of Friendship Organizations between two Standing Committee meetings.

1. The Executive Board consists of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairpersons, Secretary-General, and some members;

2. The Executive Board has the following responsibilities:

a) Implementing and organizing the execution of decisions of the Standing Committee and guiding the implementation of the Charter of the Association;

b) Inspecting the implementation of directions, tasks, programs, and plans of activities of the Vietnam Association of Friendship Organizations;

c) Preparing content for the Standing Committee Meeting;

d) Approving the functions, tasks, and list of the Secretariat at the proposal of the Chairperson of the Vietnam Association of Friendship Organizations;

e) Deciding on rewards for groups and individuals and disciplinary actions against leadership personnel of member organizations within its authority.

3. The Executive Board meets twice a year, and may meet extraordinarily when necessary.

Article 14. The Secretariat

The Secretariat assists the Executive Board in organizing the implementation of the program and plan of activities of the Vietnam Association of Friendship Organizations and preparing content for meetings of leading bodies.

The Secretariat consists of the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-Generals, and some members.

Article 15. The Inspection Board

The Inspection Board is elected by the Standing Committee of the Association, consisting of the Head and members.

The Inspection Board is responsible for inspecting the implementation and compliance with the Charter, Resolutions, and regulations of the Association.

Article 16. The Permanent Office

1. The permanent office of the Vietnam Association of Friendship Organizations is headed by the Chairperson of the Vietnam Association of Friendship Organizations. The structure of the permanent office includes the Office, regional departments, functional departments, and subordinate units.

2. The permanent office of the Association assists the Chairperson in organizing all activities of the Vietnam Association of Friendship Organizations.

Chapter 5.

ASSETS AND FINANCES

Article 17. Assets and Finance

The assets and finance of the Vietnam Federation of Friendship Organizations include:

1. Sources from the state budget;

2. Financial support from organizations and individuals both within and outside the country, and lawful revenues as prescribed by law.

Article 18. Management of Assets and Finance

The assets and finance of the Vietnam Federation of Friendship Organizations shall be managed and utilized in accordance with current laws.

Chapter 6.

REWARDS AND DISCIPLINE

Article 19. Rewards

Member organizations and individuals who have made significant contributions to the implementation of the objectives, purposes, and activities of the Vietnam Federation of Friendship Organizations shall be commended, rewarded, or recommended for national rewards by the Vietnam Federation of Friendship Organizations.

Article 20. Discipline

Member organizations and individuals violating the Charter shall be disciplined, depending on the severity, ranging from reprimand to expulsion for individuals and removal of names for member organizations of the Vietnam Federation of Friendship Organizations.

Chapter 7.

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 21. Amendment and Supplement to the Charter

Only the National Congress of the Vietnam Federation of Friendship Organizations has the authority to amend and supplement this Charter.

Article 22. Effectiveness

1. This Charter consists of 7 Chapters and 22 Articles, which were adopted at the Fourth National Congress of the Vietnam Federation of Friendship Organizations on December 18, 2008, in Hanoi, and took effect from the date it was approved by the competent authority of the Government.

2. The Standing Committee of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Federation of Friendship Organizations is responsible for guiding the implementation of this Charter.