Vietnam National University, HCMC. University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU HCMC. Centre for Social Development and Poverty Reduction

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1 Vietnam National University, HCMC University of Social Sciences and Humanities Centre for Social Development and Poverty Reduction Vietnamese Name: Trung Taâm Phaùt Trieån Xaõ Hoäi Vaø Giaûm Ngheøo 12/2000 Introduction Name of Project: Name in Vietnamese: Giaûm Ngheøo Head Institution: Establishing Institution: Address: Centre for Social Development and Poverty Reduction Trung Taâm Phaùt Trieån Xaõ Hoäi Vaø University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU HCMC University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU HCMC Dinh Tien Hoang St. District 1, HCMC Tel: Fax: Project Objective: To establish a Scientific Centre belonging to the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Viet Nam National University HCMC, that will carry out applied research and training on social development issues, particularly relating to poverty reduction. The primary objective of the project is to provide a link between university researchers and professionals working in the fields of social development and poverty reduction. The project will involve university researchers and students in socio-economic development and to upgrade the skills of government officials and community members working in these fields. In the initial stages, the Centre will cooperate in research activities with the University of British Columbia and Laval University through the Canadian funded Localized Poverty Reduction in Vietnam project. Vietnamese partners include the National Centre of Social Sciences and Humanities in Hanoi, Da Lat University, Vinh University, Hue University and Thai Nguyen University. The Centre shall also cooperate with local authorities and community members working in the field of poverty reduction. Director: Project Finances: In the initial stages, the various activities of the Centre will be based on a cooperative project between Canadian and Vietnamese universities financed by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Project Rationale:

2 Poverty, however it is measured, has declined in Vietnam over the past decade. Both income levels and most measures of social development have improved dramatically since 1993, as the share of Vietnamese living in poverty has been cut by one half. However, the gains in poverty reduction between 1993 and 1997 are fragile. Poverty estimates can change considerably based on the exact positioning of the poverty line, and World Bank estimates place the overall rate of poverty at between per cent (World Bank 1999). And overall levels of poverty are still high, as approximately 37 per cent of the population (over 30 million people) still live in poverty. While the policies of Doi Moi have certainly improved the material lives of most Vietnamese people, there is increasing evidence that further gains in poverty reduction will be more difficult. As Vietnam grows and develops, new social problems and new forms of poverty are also becoming prevalent. Urban poverty, for example, is now understood to be a pressing issue. Though families in HCMC and Hanoi are roughly two times richer than their rural counterparts, there are growing pockets poverty in some of the richest parts of the country. If Vietnam follows trends experienced by other Southeast Asian countries, then urban poverty will continue to grow over the next decade. Likewise, globalization and economic growth are bringing with them new social challenges. Finding appropriate employment for youth, caring for the elderly and ensuring equal treatment of women will all be necessary if Vietnam is to maintain social and cultural stability. Ensuring social stability requires an understanding of the social changes now underway, and, more importantly, ensuring that this knowledge is used to improve social, economic and cultural life in the spirit of Doi Moi. There is a thus a pressing need to develop capacity at all levels to plan and implement poverty reduction and social development programmes. Nowhere is this more important than at the local level, where authorities are closer to the people whom they serve. Localized approaches to poverty reduction have delivered some encouraging results to date. For example, many credit models have been created to raise the income and improve the livelihoods of poor and hungry households, particularly in rural areas. However, there is limited experience in applying anti-poverty policies in rural areas. While the government has put aside funds for Hunger Eradication and Poverty Reduction to improve the livelihoods of poor people, many local officials lack the abilities to use state funds in a manner that is both rational and appropriate. One of the major limitations to the effective implementation of poverty reduction and social development policies is that local officials often do not understand government policies and thus cannot apply them to create appropriate local solutions. The root of this problem lies in the fact that the fields of poverty reduction and social work are still not seen as areas of specialization. Furthermore, staff working in these fields seldom have specialized training and do not yet have enough knowledge and experience in this sector. Therefore, an upgrading of professional knowledge for those working in poverty reduction and social development is a necessary prerequisite for improved efficacy of state policies. The goal of the proposed Centre for Social Development and Poverty reduction is to assist university researchers to assist local officials through both training and applied research. For centuries, Vietnamese universities have played an important role in educating future leaders and ensuring that Vietnam s strong cultural traditions are maintained and developed. However, teaching and research at the university level has tended to value theory over practice, and has had little direct impact on poverty and socio-economic development. Applied research must strike a balance between explaining the causes of social problems and

3 prescribing appropriate solutions. There is a definite need to build capacity in applied research at the university and to assist professors and students to carry our research that has applications in poverty reduction and social development. Applied research can take many forms, and the Centre will not limit itself to any one discipline or methodological focus. A particularly strong focus will be participatory research and planning that involves the poor in research as participants in the research and planning process. This work will be supplemented by sociological surveys and data analysis, mapping and ethnographic work, depending on the interests of the CPR members and the needs expressed by institutional partners, community members and government officials. Centre Activities With the help of financing from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the technical assistance of UBC and Laval Universities, the Centre for Social Development and Poverty reduction of the USSH will undertake the following activities: 1. Research and action to develop appropriate solutions to reduce poverty in various regions in the South of Viet Nam; 2. Applied social research into the causes and consequences of social and economic change in Vietnam. 3. Provide information and training to build the capacity of local authorities to apply poverty reduction policies; 4. Provide training for local authorities to assist them to create locally appropriate solutions to reduce poverty in their areas; The organization and activities of the Centre will follow the following items: Point 1 Item I. General Issues The name of the organization will be the Centre for Social Development and Poverty Reduction, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, HCMC Point 2. The Centre will be established based on the decision of the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities of HCMC and will uniquely belong to and be under the administrative control of the University. Point 3. The Centre will be financially independent but will be monitored by the University s Finance and Planning Department. Point 4. The Centre will be located in the office of the Project of Hunger Eradication and Poverty Reduction: University Guest House University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU HCMC Dinh Tien Hoang, District 1, HCMC.

4 Item 2 Duties, Responsibilities and Authority Point 5: Duties Article 1: Scientific research - Research about contemporary social issues and challenges. - Applied research about social problems to find appropriate and integrated solutions. - Research about community development issues to improve people s livelihoods in various ways. - To carry meet all of the goals and objectives of the project stated above. Article 2: Capacity Building and Technology Transfer - Organize training for social research staff of universities and government agencies to improve methods of social research. - Organize training courses for university researchers, government officials and community members on methods of community development, policy planning and evaluation. - Organize specialized training for local authorities to enhance their capacity to implement government policies. Article 3. Services to enhance economic production and social development - While undertaking research and training, researchers will develop and test models of economic production, community development, social welfare, cultural development, and human settlements to advance economic production and social development. For example, models of cooperative forestry and agriculture, models of micro-credit funds, models of conservation and production of agricultural products. - Researchers shall transfer their experience, technical knowledge and management experiences to social organizations and communities, and assist with planning for various partners in each locality. Primary subjects of interest of Centre are: 1. Social Policy 2. Gender and Development 3. Poverty Alleviation 4. Urban Poverty 5. Community Development and participation 6. Rural Development 7. Ethnicity and Religion 8. Environmental Management and Education 9. Sustainable Development Point 6: Responsibilities 1. Follow government guidelines, government policies and laws and all state decisions during all of the Centre s activities. 2. Carry out projects and contracts following the duties of the Centre.

5 3. Coordinate all scientific staff in the relevant fields to complete scientific duties. 4. Ensure that the financial benefits of project participants follow labour regulations. 5. Manage and use finances and equipment to attain results. 6. Financial activities and contracts of the center must follow current regulations and laws. 7. The Centre will be under the financial control of the department of finance and planning of the University. 8. Participate in training and assist in research with the University of Social Sciences and Humanities if required. Point 7: Authority 1. The Centre can sign research contracts with national and international organizations within the area of their duties and responsibilities. The Centre will ensure to follow current government regulations and laws. 2. Actively create plans, methods and ensure scales of activities that are suitable for the Centre s ability and responsibilities. 3. The Centre must hire laborers and contract scientific experts to work with the Centre following the labor regulations and laws of Viet Nam and the University regulations. 4. The Centre has sole responsibility to pay the costs of hired labour and contract labor ITEM III: Organization Point 8: Regulations - The Centre is under the management of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. The Centre must submit an annual report of their activities and follow the regulations of the Rector. - The Centre must be organized with a Director, Vice Director and Accountant. The Director will be assigned by the Rector of the University and reappointed on a regular basis (every three to four years). The director of the Centre will make all management and staffing decisions. Point 9: Organization 1. Director: The Director will directly control all of the Centre s activities and has the responsibility to report to the Rector of the University about the situation and activities of the Centre. The Director will control all of the work inside and outside of the Centre. He will also sign all contracts and has power to allocate finances and equipment for the use of the Centre s activities. The Director also has the responsibility to manage all of the Centre s staff and to choose appropriate staff members. 2. Vice Director: assists the Director and can makes some decisions with prior approval of the Director. 3. Accountant: helps the Director in financial management and ensures that the Centre s finances follow appropriate regulations and standards of professional conduct. The Accountant will ensure that the Centre s activities follow the regulations of the Ministry of Finance. The staff of the Centre for Social Development and Poverty Reduction will be composed of:

6 Director: Vice Director: Accountant: Research Staff: Lecturers from the Departments of Sociology, Geography, Anthropology, Literature, and Philosophy. Item 4: Point 10: Finance Centre Financing The Centre s finances will be based on research contracts with national and international organizations as well as the support of Non Governmental Organizations and foreign Universities. Point 11: During the life of the Centre, its finances can change in the following ways: - The Centre can receive additional funding from research or training contracts; - The Centre can engage in two-way cooperative research programmes; - The Centre may receive additional international support. Point 12: The Centre can borrow funds from the University or outside agencies, but must follow the common regulations of the University. Point 13: The Centre has the right to borrow and use finances, but has sole responsibility for repayment to the University and other agencies. Point 14: Financing Centre Activities - At the outset, the Centre will receive funding from the Canadian International Development Agency through a partnership project led by the University of British Columbia and Laval University. - The Centre will receive some funding from other research and partnership programmes with both inside and outside organizations. Point 15: The Centre will follow the current regulations of the Ministry of Finance in all bookkeeping, accounting, and reporting. The Department of Planning and Finance of the University will monitor and control the Centre s finances. Point 16: Item V: Final Points

7 This proposal and the regulations described within only apply to the Centre for Social Development and Poverty Reduction of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU HCMC. Any extra issues that arise in the activities of the Centre will be dealt with by the Director, and added to the Centre s plan. Point 17: These regulations will come into effect after the Rector of the University approves the establishment of the Centre.